In the CBD, One block away from Canal Street
Rooms have bright contemporary decor
Fitness center open 24 hours a day
Coffeeshop in lobby
Three meeting rooms on-site
Valet and self-parking available on-site
Some rooms are small
Mandatory resort fee
Charge for parking
No pool
The 143-room Royal St. Charles is a colorful mid-range hotel in the Central Business District, near the French Quarter. Despite its bright, borderline over-the-top styling, its offerings are fairly typical for a hotel of its category. The smallest rooms may feel a little cramped, but pricier rooms offer more space. Other features include a 24-hour fitness center, a coffee shop with some light fare in the lobby, and three meeting rooms. Note that there is a mandatory resort fee, but it covers Wi-Fi access. Rates are among the lowest in the area for this caliber of property, but the nearby International House Hotel has much nicer rooms for only slightly more, while the pricier Country Inn & Suites has a small pool.
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Scene
Business hotel with flamboyant colorful interiors contrasting subdued exteriors
From the outside, the Royal St. Charles has the simple look of a 1960s office building. Inside, however, the color scheme looks to have been inspired by Willy Wonka. At the center of the lobby is a round reception desk ensconced in a wraparound panel light that changes colors periodically, from purple hues to teal. Green and orange, used for the wallpaper and some furniture, complete the bold color statements. Furniture is modern and boxy, and the art generally abstract, incorporating a curling wave-like design that's found throughout the hotel. To one side of the lobby, there's a large lounge space with several seating areas and three side-by-side TVs (which are framed by paneling of purple, red, yellow, and orange) and a computer for guest use. PJ's coffee, the hotel's on-site coffee shop, uses a toned-down version of the same decor scheme, but gets more natural light, with a wall of windows looking out on the street. The shop serves lighter fare and offers several places to plug in a laptop. The property attracts a mix of business and leisure tourists, but in spite of its playful decor, doesn't have a lot to offer kids.
Location
In the Central Business District, near the French Quarter
The Royal St. Charles Hotel is just off Canal Street, which functions as the dividing line between the Central Business District and the French Quarter. Since it's a little outside the bustling and historic French Quarter, the hotel is relatively quiet at night. Bourbon Street is about a 10-minute walk away. The area around the hotel is a busy and commercial, with plenty of shops and restaurants in the immediate area. The airport takes 20 minutes to reach by car and the Garden District is 20 minutes away on the famous Saint Charles Streetcar.
Rooms
Colorful, but snug, rooms and more spacious suites
The most basic rooms of the Royal St. Charles (Superiors) can be a little cramped, but are clean and modernly furnished. In keeping with the hotel's celebration of color, rooms have tangerine-hued accent walls, bright green bedskirts, and the dark-wood headboards, desks, and cabinets, all of have hints of silver. All come with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Like the rooms, some of the bathrooms can be compact, but are clean and well-lit, with environmentally friendly bath products. Guests who want more space might prefer one of the suites, which are roomier and come with reading chairs or full sitting area.
Features
A 24-hour fitness center, a coffeeshop, and event space
The hotel has a small fitness center with two treadmills, an elliptical, and a stationary bike,that's open 24-hours a day. The lobby coffeeshop, PJ's Coffee, offers place to grab a snack or light meal, and get some work done. There are also three meeting rooms that can collectively host nearly 500 people. Both valet and self-parking are available (for a fee) and Wi-Fi access is included in the mandatory daily resort fee that's tacked on at check-in.
