Is Le Méridien New Orleans worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Le Méridien New Orleans is a solid downtown option if you want a 4-star hotel in the Central Business District with a rooftop pool, on-site dining, and easy walking access to Canal Street and the French Quarter. Expect paid in-room Wi‑Fi, a mandatory destination fee and valet-only parking; weigh those added costs against the convenient location and event space.
In this guide
Location & walkability
Le Méridien New Orleans sits at 333 Poydras Street in the Central Business District, a short walk from Canal Street and the French Quarter. Caesars New Orleans Casino is directly across the street, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Shops at Canal Place are all within a few minutes on foot.
The hotel’s downtown location keeps you close to public transit options such as the Canal and St. Charles streetcars and makes walking to many attractions practical; Bourbon Street is roughly a 10-minute walk, while the National WWII Museum is about 13 minutes on foot.
- Address: 333 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Caesars New Orleans Casino: steps across the street
- Canal Street: ~5-minute walk; French Quarter/Bourbon Street: ~10-minute walk
| Nearby Spot | Approx. walk time |
|---|---|
| Caesars New Orleans Casino | About 2 minutes |
| Canal Street | About 5 minutes |
| National WWII Museum | About 13 minutes |
Rooms, views and who they suit
The hotel has a mix of standard rooms and suites across 23 floors and roughly 410 rooms. Room types include Classic Room, Superior Room, River View, Room, City View, Corner, several suites (Executive Suite, Corner; Urban, Suite, River View, Corner; Luxury Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View) and accessible room options.
River-view rooms and corner suites offer larger windows and skyline or river views; Classic Room and Superior Room, River View are the core mid-range choices. If you need mobility features, the property lists Classic Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) and Superior Room, River View (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr).
- Classic Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Superior Room, River View — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (and mobility variant)
- Suites listed include Executive Suite, Corner; Urban, Suite, River View, Corner; Luxury Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View
| Room category | Notes |
|---|---|
| Classic Room | Standard option; king or two queens |
| Superior Room, River View | River or city outlook; mobility-accessible option available |
| Suites (various) | Larger living areas and better views |
On-site facilities: pool, gym and dining
There is one outdoor rooftop pool on the 4th floor with lounge chairs, umbrellas, a poolside bar and reservable private cabanas; some sources describe it as heated and open year-round, though pool hours are listed inconsistently across sites so confirm directly. The pool and gym are located on the same 4th-floor space.
A 24-hour fitness center is adjacent to the rooftop pool and includes cardio equipment and strength-training machines. On-site dining includes LMNO Restaurant (Cajun/Creole-inspired New American fare for breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner) and Longitude 90, the lobby bar/café open daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
- Rooftop pool (4th floor): lounge chairs, umbrellas, poolside bar, reservable cabanas
- Fitness center: open 24 hours; cardio and strength equipment (gym accessed across pool deck)
- Dining: LMNO Restaurant and Longitude 90 (lobby bar/café); 24-hour room service available
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rooftop Pool | 4th floor — cabanas reservable; verify hours |
| Fitness Center | Open 24 hours; shared 4th-floor location with pool |
| Longitude 90 / LMNO | Lobby café/bar and restaurant with Louisiana-inspired menus |
Fees, policies and practical facts
Plan for several mandatory or extra charges: a daily destination/resort fee is added to room rates (amounts vary by booking site and are charged locally), in-room Wi‑Fi is a paid amenity while some public-area Wi‑Fi is complimentary, and on-site parking is valet-only for a daily fee.
The minimum check-in age is 21 (ID and credit card required). Pets are allowed (dogs and cats), limited to one pet per room up to 40 lbs with a per-night pet fee; service animals are accepted without fee. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day.
- Mandatory destination fee applied per room, per night (amount varies by source)
- In-room Wi‑Fi: paid (public-area Wi‑Fi available in some spaces)
- Valet parking only (paid); no self-park garage on site
- Minimum check-in age: 21; front desk open 24 hours
- Pets allowed: 1 pet per room, max 40 lbs; pet fee applies
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Destination fee | Mandatory; applied locally and credited toward some F&B perks per loyalty page |
| Wi‑Fi | Public areas complimentary; in-room Wi‑Fi is a paid add-on |
| Parking | Valet-only, 24-hour service; fees vary by source |
Events, weddings and meeting space
Le Méridien New Orleans offers extensive event facilities, including the Esplanade Ballroom (about 4,992 sq ft) and multiple meeting rooms plus an outdoor Palm Garden. The property lists over 16,000–20,000 sq ft of flexible event space across several venues and can host ceremonies and receptions up to roughly 500 guests in its largest ballroom.
If you're planning a wedding or large meeting, event services are handled through the hotel's catering and sales team (weddings are coordinated via the Catering Sales Manager listed on hotel materials). Several smaller meeting rooms and a variety of layouts (theater, classroom, reception) are available.
- Esplanade Ballroom: ~4,992 sq ft; reception capacity up to 500
- Marigny rooms and Uptown meeting rooms for mid-size gatherings
- Outdoor Palm Garden and pool-deck event options for smaller ceremonies or receptions
| Venue | Typical capacity |
|---|---|
| Esplanade Ballroom | Up to 500 (reception/theater varies) |
| Marigny 1 & 2 | Up to ~150 reception |
| Palm Garden (outdoor) | About 130 guests |
Who should consider Le Méridien New Orleans — pros and cons
Choose this hotel if you want a centrally located 4-star property with a rooftop pool, easy walking access to downtown attractions and a range of meeting/wedding venues. The on-site restaurants and 24-hour fitness center add convenience for both leisure and business travelers.
You may want to look elsewhere if you prefer a lower total nightly cost without mandatory destination fees, need self-parking, or expect included in-room Wi‑Fi. Also confirm exact pool hours, parking fees, and current pet policy details before booking.
- Pros: central downtown location, rooftop pool and pool bar, 24-hour gym, multiple room types including river-view suites, extensive event space
- Cons: mandatory destination fee, paid in-room Wi‑Fi, valet-only paid parking, minimum check-in age of 21 for the registering guest
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool, gym and on-site dining | Destination fee and other added charges |
| Very walkable to Canal Street, French Quarter and convention center | Valet-only parking (paid) — no self-park option |
| Large event and wedding spaces | In-room Wi‑Fi is paid |
