The Whitney Hotel

The architecture of The Whitney Hotel is by far its biggest draw. Built in the 1890s, the beautiful building originally served as a bank (there’s a still a branch of the Hancock Whitney Bank on the corner), and many of the structure's original features have been immaculately preserved. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a lovely granite lobby with elegant tiled floors, rich woods trim, and brass fixtures. Breakfast is served in a large room with marble pillars, soaring ceilings, and a beautiful original mural (ironically of a bank robbery). The reception desk sits at the old tellers’ desk, which is so original and authentic that people often wander in off the street thinking that it’s still the bank. Even the original vault is still intact, though sadly today it’s only used for luggage storage.Beyond the lobby, the rest of the hotel tends to be quiet and understated. Guests occasionally linger in the lobby lounge, but mostly the property has a low-key vibe, with guests simply coming and going and minding their own business. Its prime location in the Central Business District makes the hotel particularly popular with business travelers.

Sitting on busy Poydras Street in the Central Business District, the Whitney Hotel is in a prime location for guests who want to explore the city. Several office buildings, courts, and restaurants are located in the blocks immediately surrounding the hotel. Bourbon Street and the lively French Quarter are about 15 minutes away on foot. Both the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are a 14-minute walk or a five-minute drive away. The St. Charles streetcar line has a stop right on the corner next to the hotel, and guests can ride it to the Garden District in about 20 minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is 25 minutes away by car.

Outfitted in browns, golds, and other warm tones, the rooms at The Whitney hotel have a very traditional feel. Classic wood furniture stands on patterned carpets, while heavy tapestried drapes hang from the windows. Air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, pillow-top mattresses, and free bottled water come standard, but there are no mini-fridges or minibars. Work desks feature ergonomic chairs. Closets come equipped with irons and ironing boards. Clean, polished bathrooms are decorated in neutral colors, and feature granite countertops, marble floors, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and New Orleans Collection toiletries.The only category of rooms is the hotel’s Superior Rooms, which offer one king, one queen, or two double beds. Upgrading to the hotel's Premium Suites adds comfortable living areas with sofas and coffee tables. Suites are offered with either king-size or queen-size beds. Accessible rooms are available.

Amenities at The Whitney Hotel are limited. While the lobby architecture is gorgeous, the hotel unfortunately fails to take full advantage of it. The lovely lobby area with historic columns and murals serves as a breakfast room and can be reserved for private events, but otherwise stands empty most of the time. Breakfast is a simple spread of continental items, and it costs a small fee. While there used to be a full-service restaurant and bar on-site, they no longer exist. Today, the former bank vault serves solely as a luggage storage room. Free coffee and water are available throughout the day in the lobby. There’s a small fitness center with modern cardio machines and free weights. A homey lounge is located near the hotel’s entrance, and it features comfortable couches and a small business center area for guest use. Meeting space is also available. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout the property. Valet parking is available for a fee.