HEADQUARTER HOTEL:
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel<<online reservations
130 Roosevelt Way (1/2 in from Canal Street)
New Orleans, LA 70112
A Legendary History
Many hotels believe they've got a memorable past. But it's few who can say their history is rooted in legends. And it's even fewer who have had 80 miles of highway built, just so the governor could get his favorite drink. The legend of Huey P. Long and the Airline Highway is just one of so many that define our brilliant foundation in the early 1900s.
The Roosevelt Hotel and the land on which it sits are filled with history. In the 1830s, the era was home to the State Capitol, Charity Hospital, Christ Episcopal Church, and the mansions of famed Louisianians of French and Spanish descent. That period culminated in 1893 with the opening of the lavish Grunewald Hotel, built by Bavarian-born businessman Louis Grunewald to replace the Grunewald Hall performing arts center. It was so successful, that by 1900, they began acquiring the adjoining property. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve 1907, a 400-room, 14-story annex opened to chimes and whistles.
Located amongst the flurry of excitement on Canal Street, the Grunewald quickly established itself as a centerpiece of the city's acclaimed entertainment scene. The Cave, with its grotto-like atmosphere, filled with architectural rock formations, nymphs and gnomes, was largely regarded as one of the country's first nightclubs, and kept revelers up all hours of the night, dancing to the early sounds of Dixieland jazz.
Though the famous basement nightclub closed when the Grunewald era ended, the tradition of entertainment lived on at The Roosevelt's new venues––The Blue Room and The Sazerac Bar. Famous, infamous and anonymous alike all flocked to The Roosevelt for live performances or just to grab a drink at the legendary establishments.
Though we have had many identities in the past, it was during The Roosevelt years that we became known as the beacon of luxury in the South. As a revolving door of the time's most famous faces––Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Jack Benny, just to name a few––we've established a legend that continues to grow to this day.
Soon after The Fairmont's closing in 2005, the historic property was purchased and plans were made to return it to its original magnificence and former name––The Roosevelt. Now, after a $145 million restoration, it has been reborn with all the grandeur of old New Orleans and the modern amenities that exceed the standards of today's luxury hotels.
How to Get Around
To reach the hotel from the airport, you may use the airport shuttle which runs 24-hours a day. Upon arrival at the airport, guests can purchase tickets from the Airport Shuttle information desks. These desks are staffed 24-hours a day by informed, responsive tourism personnel who sell shuttle tickets, answer travel-related questions, and offer helpful visitor information about events throughout the city. Passenger vans arrive at and depart from the airport every 10 minutes. If you prefer, you may take a taxi for a flat rate.
Once at the hotel, New Orleans offers various other transportation services including a streetcar system, public buses, and ferries. Visitor passes are available at hotels and shopping areas. The pass entitles you to unlimited rides on all streetcar and bus lines. For additional transportation options, go to www.neworleanscvb.com.