The JW Marriott New Orleans offers a decent service, but far from the brand’s standards, confirming the indisputable decline in service in the American hotel industry.
When I plan my trips, I usually save the best hotels for the end, so that I can experience an upgrade and save the best for last. Since I had time to try out two hotels in New Orleans, I logically started with Le Méridien and kept it for last, as JW Marriott is supposed to be more premium in terms of brand, and this has been confirmed to us so far by our various experiences.
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 several weeks before my stay at a price of 157 euros per night. It was a room with two single beds, as no room in this category was available with a queen- or king-size bed.
The day before, I noticed an upgrade to a Deluxe room with a view of the French Quarter.
Location
The hotel is located on Canal St., right on the edge of the French Quarter, less than 10 minutes from Le Méridien, which is where I’m leaving from.
A very good location, practically in the French Quarter without suffering from its noise and bustle at night.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
I check in online the day before I arrive, note the upgrade and, as it was still a room with two single beds, I try my luck by chatting to request a double bed. I am kindly told that my request has been taken into account and that it shouldn’t be a problem.
At the beginning of the afternoon, I receive a notification telling me that my room is ready, that my key is loaded in the mobile application and that I can therefore go to my room without going through reception.
So I arrive at the hotel in the middle of the afternoon.
I am a little surprised to see such a low building and go through the front door. There I come across a long corridor that leads me to the lobby, which is actually on the other side and opening onto the street behind.
Not exactly fancy. In fact, what I showed you is the hotel’s “marketing” facade, the “real” entrance being at the back, and that’s where you realize that it’s a big tower without much charm.
Exempted from going to reception, I take the elevator straight to my room.
The room
I go into the hallway and find the bathroom and toilets on my left.
Nice and functional.
It has a large shower but no bathtub.
Then here is the room itself.
Well, there are two beds. I wonder if I should ask at reception to change rooms, but I’m not going to spend much time there and I don’t want to end up with a room on a lower floor with a view of the bins, so I’Il make do with this one.
Very comfortable bedding but bland decor.
Opposite is a chest of drawers with the TV. However, there is no minibar.
Then at the back, a small sofa and a desk, which will be appreciated.
As for the view of the French Quarter, you can do without it, but at least it’s not obstructed by another tower.
A comfortable room, tasteful but with a low ceiling, bland and dark. In short, you are in the USA.
We finish with the video.
Bars and restaurants
The hotel has a restaurant that I won’t even try: a Brazilian steakhouse.
There is also a bar next to the lobby.
The place is warm and lively, if not particularly pretty.
The cocktail menu is interesting and the staff are quite friendly.
The hotel also has an executive lounge, but as I did not go through reception for my check-in I will not be informed of its existence and in any case I would not have had time to go there.
Facilities
The hotel has a gym and a swimming pool.
Located on an upper floor, the gym is of a good size and adequately equipped, but no more.
A little old-fashioned, on the other hand.
The terrace with the swimming pool can be accessed from the gym.
It is large but the setting does not encourage strolling and I will rarely see it busy.
The service
I might as well tell you right away: on the whole very average, if not worse.
We start with the Wi-Fi, which was slow and unstable.
Then the room key, which I will have to get done again because, as the receptionist told me, “mobile keys don’t work very well”.
Let’s end with the laundry service. The staff will collect the laundry but it won’t be sent to the service provider to be cleaned because of a “human error”. I was astonished at the end of the evening, called the reception desk, which took an hour to find the source of the problem, locate the laundry and bring it back to me dirty at midnight because I was leaving the next day. I will receive 5,000 points as compensation, but that won’t solve the fact that I have almost nothing clean to wear.
Check-out
I did it on the mobile app, which will save me from going back to reception.
Bottom line
Really average, too average for a JW Marriott. In the end, the Le Méridien had more charm.
The articles about this trip to Boston, New York and New Orleans
Articles similaires
The New-York EDITION, Loft Suite : Really great !
