New Orleans Hotels: One Year After Katrina

A year after Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, most New Orleans hotels have reopened. While many had little or storm damage, a few are still rebuilding, and don't anticipate reopening until sometime in 2007. Status Report: New Orleans Hotels

Some hotels may never reopen. Andre wrote a heartfelt email to me about the Fairmont Hotel in downtown New Orleans:

My grandfather, Robert Rabalais, was the accountant of the formerly named Roosevelt Hotel for many years. The hotel from my own research has an outstandingly impressive history. Though I never met my grandfather (he died the year before I was born) I am intrigued of this hotel's grand history.

Today I phoned a hotel representative and was told renovations were postponed for this property because of flooding to the subterrain levels of the hotel (which once housed the infamous nightclub, The Cave). Perhaps such a postponement means the end of a great hotel...

I hope not. The Fairmont, besides being a classic grand hotel, was beloved by many New Orleans children for its opulent Christmas decorations and its traditional "Teddy Bear Tea." A spokesperson for the Fairmont told me, "The scope of the renovation is currently being re-evaluated. I do not have an opening date at this time."

Other hotels that sustained significant damage, including the Hyatt Regency, Iberville Suites, the Avenue Plaza Hotel, Loft 523, Maison Orleans, the Omni Royal Crescent and the Ritz-Carlton plan to open later this year or sometime in 2007. The Hotel Monaco, across from the convention center, will not reopen as a Monaco property.

On the flip side, hotels in some sections of the city (particularly the French Quarter) had little or no damage and are open as usual. A spokesperson for the Hotel Maison de Ville told me:

The main hotel reopened in February for Mardi Gras and the Audubon Cottages reopened on April 1st. Since then we have welcomed a steady flow of guests and hope to keep the momentum as the city continues to get back on its feet. Most of our employees have returned to the city and to the hotel and sometimes it feels like we never missed a beat. Hope you can come stay with us to see for yourself!

Maison St. Charles, along St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans, adds:

We have staff, our rooms are totally functional, our pool and hot tub are fine and our bar is open every night. Come visit us…the weather should be cooler soon, the food is more delicious than ever and there is lots and lots of New Orleans music all over the city.

New Orleans Hotels After Katrina
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