New Orleans
Last month, the 527-room Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, completed a $9 million guest room renovation, the hotel's first since opening in 2000. The property includes 35,000 square feet of meeting space and a 25,000-square-foot spa.
The 32-story Hyatt Regency New Orleans reopened last month following a $275 million renovation. The property features 1,193 rooms, more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and several food and beverage options (see "Hyatt Eats" column at left).
In August, the Louisiana Superdome completed an $85 million renovation, the latest part of an ongoing $336 million revamp that began in 2006. Enhancements include the expansion of the Plaza Level concourse and the addition of some 3,100 plaza level seats and two new club lounges.
The 98-room W New Orleans-French Quarter recently completed a renovation of its guest rooms, restaurant space and exterior. The property offers approximately 13,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 170-room Hotel New Orleans will become the Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center in 2012 after undergoing an extensive renovation and rebranding. The property, which sits directly across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, includes a restaurant, a fitness center and 1,250 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will remain open during the renovation process.
The new 166-room Saint Hotel is scheduled to open next month with 1,450 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant serving modern American fare, a bar featuring live jazz, and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of downtown New Orleans. The property is in the historic Audubon Building, which recently completed a $45 million renovation.
Meeting Hotels
Among major properties in the city's Central Business District are the 1,616-room Hilton New Orleans Riverside; 1,290-room New Orleans Marriott; 1,193-room Hyatt Regency New Orleans; 1,110-room Sheraton New Orleans; 527-room Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans; 504-room Roosevelt Hotel; 494-room JW Marriott New Orleans; 479-room InterContinental New Orleans; 423-room W New Orleans; 367-room Doubletree New Orleans; 324-room Windsor Court, an Orient-Express Hotel; 296-room Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome; 285-room Loews New Orleans Hotel, and 272-room Renaissance Pere Marquette.
For a more complete listing of properties in and around New Orleans, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 1.1 million contiguous square feet; number of meeting rooms, 140; (504) 582-3023
Airport Transit
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, 10 miles west of the Central Business District and the French Quarter. Transfer cost by taxi, $33; by shuttle, $20 (roundtrip, $38)
Taxes
Room tax, 4%, plus a $1-$3 surcharge per room, per night, based on room count; sales tax, 9%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13%, plus the surcharge
Dining Out
Nominated for best new restaurant at the 2011 James Beard Awards, Mondo features international fare with a New Orleans twist. The Crescent City cookery is helmed by veteran chef Susan Spicer, whose inventive menus include items such as Chinese braised duck leg with scallion cakes and bok choy. (504) 224-2633
For French- and Italian-inspired takes on Southern fare, bring attendees to Herbsaint, which has received James Beard nominations for outstanding restaurant and outstanding chef -- Donald Link. Menu items emphasize locally sourced goods, including butter poached Gulf tuna, sauteed Louisiana jumbo shrimp with corn ariancini and bacon, and Louisiana jumbo lump crab meat with local pumpkin, radish and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). The eatery offers private dining areas for up to 50. A sister restaurant, Calcasieu, under the same ownership, can accommodate up to 250 people. (504) 524-4114
Contact
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 672-6124
Baton Rouge
L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge is expected to open next month with 200 guest rooms. The casino complex will include restaurants, lounges, 1,300 slot machines and 50 table games. The property also will feature 13,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Baton Rouge River Center recently added approximately 22,000 square feet of prefunction space, including nine breakout rooms. The new expansion connects to the facility's 30,000-square-foot arena and 70,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The center now includes a total of 17 breakout rooms.
The 256-room Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel opened last month with 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, a pool, a restaurant and a wine bar.
Meeting Hotels
Properties in the city include the 333-room Holiday Inn Baton Rouge-South, 300-room Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel & Casino, 300-room Marriott Baton Rouge, 294-room Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge, 290-room Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, 256-room Renaissance Baton Route Hotel, 223-room Embassy Suites, 149-room Courtyard by Marriott, 145-room Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel, 128-room Hyatt Place Baton Rouge/I-10 and 122-room Radisson Hotel Baton Rouge.
Convention Center
Baton Rouge River Center; exhibit space, approximately 70,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 17; (225) 389-3030
Airport Transit
Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, about seven miles north of the city. Transfer cost by taxi, $18; by shuttle, $15
Taxes
Room tax, 4%; sales tax, 9%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13%
Group Venue
For an authentic taste of the antebellum South, head for the Nottoway Plantation & Resort, about 25 miles south of Baton Rouge. Completed in 1859, the estate grounds include a 53,000-square-foot mansion with 40 guest rooms, more than 13,000 square feet of meeting space and the Mansion Restaurant at Nottoway, which offers classic, Creole-inspired Louisiana cuisine, including smoked duck with tomato grits and baked Gulf oysters. The property recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guest rooms, meeting space, tennis courts and salon. (866) 527-6884
Contact
Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) 527-6843
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