Le Méridien New Orleans offers good service at very decent prices, as well as being well located. Like most American hotels, it’s not exactly a dream, but it gets the job done.
For this stay in New Orleans, I decided to split my nights between two hotels, starting with this Méridien, a chain that I have never had cause to complain about and is, in a way, a safe bet.
You will find the summary of the articles on this trip to Boston, New York and New Orleans at the bottom of the page.
Booking
I booked a standard room on a low floor 3 months before my stay, at 127 euros per night. Nothing like the prices in Boston and New York.
The day before, I saw in the app that I had been upgraded to a higher room category, even though superior rooms and suites were still available, but I had no illusions about the application of loyalty programs in this country, or rather their non-application.
Location
The hotel is located in the city center, on the edge of the French Quarter, so it is very well placed for visiting the city. Some people will prefer a hotel right in the historic center to enjoy the atmosphere, but at least here it is quiet.
A question of preference.
You can therefore visit the city on foot from the hotel, and allow half an hour and 40 dollars from the airport.
Arrival and check-in
I checked in the day before using the mobile app.
I arrive by taxi in the middle of the afternoon from the airport and go to the check-in counter.
The checkin was one of the most pleasant I’ve had in a long time. The receptionist was really friendly and smiling. The loyalty program protocol was perfectly followed: she thanked me for my loyalty, listed all the benefits to which I was entitled, informed me of the upgrade and also told me that I was entitled to a daily consumption credit at the bar, as the hotel did not have a lounge.
While the reception area doesn’t look particularly impressive, the rest of the lobby is much more welcoming, in a very “Le Méridien” style.
Then I go to my room.
The room
It is on the 23rd floor.
Once through the door, I find the bathroom on my right.
It has a large shower but no bathtub.
Anyway, it’s clean and almost new, and perfectly maintained.
Then the room itself, nicely decorated but with a low ceiling in the tradition of many hotels there.
The bed is wide and the bedding is comfortable.
Opposite the TV, a minibar that for once is very well stocked and a small desk.
In front of the window is a small sofa.
The view from the 23rd floor: not great, but you can see the Mississippi.
I was also given a small welcome gift.
As well as a reminder of the benefits to which I was entitled. Not bad at all, even if I won’t have time to take advantage of them.
In the end, a comfortable and nicely decorated room, but one that shows the limits of a beautiful renovation in an older-than-it-seems building with low ceilings and ultimately dark rooms.
But for the use I got out of it, it was more than adequate.
Let’s end with the usual video.
The facilities
The hotel has a swimming pool and a gym.
Let’s start with the pool.
It is located above the Lobby, high up and far from the noise of traffic.
Not very big but rather pleasant at first glance. I did not see many people using it.
The gym is a few meters further on.
It is quite large, bright and quite well equipped.
On the other hand, only a door separated it from the swimming pool and the air conditioning was broken. So the door was left open to make the heat bearable, but with the humidity the floor was so slippery that it was dangerous. And in any case, the heat was very unpleasant.
In short, I tried it once and didn’t return.
Catering
I won’t try the hotel restaurant (besides, I don’t even wonder if it’s open) and will just go to the bar to use up my drinks credit when I come back each evening after an evening in town.
I’ll go there once to quench my thirst after a long walk in the sun, and the barmaid will be lovely.
I can’t say the same for the evening service. Slow waiter, unresponsive, not very attentive to customers, a pain in the neck. Fortunately a colleague came to the rescue but it doesn’t make you want to return.
Staff
One lovely receptionist and barmaid, one catastrophic barman and one who just did his job well.
All in all, it’s decent, but not exceptional.
Check-out
J’effectue mon check-out sur l’application mobile et je quitte l’hôtel sans repasser par la réception.
Bottom line
Rather a pleasant experience in a hotel in the USA. By that I mean that there is nothing exceptional, nothing that makes you say “I’d love to return” but nothing annoying that makes you regret having been there.
As is often the case in the USA, you have to tell yourself that not too mediocre or just okay is not so bad.
A safe bet, but not one that arouses much passion, but the value for money is good for the country.
The articles about this trip to Boston, New York and New Orleans
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