A New Orleans Classic

The Roosevelt Hotel was built in the grand tradition of fine hotels in 1893 and has been a favorite place for visitors and locals alike. Originally The Grunewald Hotel, it was renamed for President Teddy Roosevelt in 1928, becoming The Fairmont in 1965. Following Hurricane Katrina, the hotel remained closed until purchased as a Waldorf-Astoria property. After a $145 million dollar renovation, we were more than ready to welcome the return of an old friend.

Some of the traditions we cherish revolve around the Blue Room, the premier supper club for decades and the stage for such entertainers as Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Other great memories are of Christmas in the Angel Hair Lobby, followed by a Christmas buffet or dinner in the ballroom or at the Blue Room. Another wonderful tradition which we enjoyed is going to a wedding at Immaculate Conception Church, after which the wedding party and guests second lined across the street to the Blue Room for a fabulous reception. Ah, the good old days are back.

Rooms and Such

The Roosevelt has 369 guest rooms and 135 suites. In 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, there are three ballrooms and 23 meeting and event rooms. There is a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, along with the Pool Café and Garden Terrace.

Dining and Drinking

The elegant Sazerac Restaurant is back, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Sazerac Bar has been restored to its original Art Deco elegance, with the valuable murals of Paul Ninas joyous to behold.

Lounging there (where the Sazerac was invented) with a cocktail or your spirit of choice is a lovely way to spend an afternoon or await your dinner table. I recommend the Ramos Gin Fizz. For a casual treat, Teddy's Cafe in the lobby area serves coffees and sweets. John Besh has a restaurant on the Baronne Street side called Dominica, an Italian trattoria as only he can do it.

Beyond the Elegance

As you walk into the lobby, its elegance and grandure that puts in another, more refined and sofisticated time. But, I think the thing that stuck me the most when I visit the Roosevelt is the obvious pride and love for the hotel that all of the staff exhibit. Everyone wants to show you the beautiful floors, or the ornate moldings, or the original brass mail box. And then there's the clock.

The Spa

One of the best amenities at the Roosevelt is the Guerlain Spa. There are only three in the country. Fancy a 4-Hand Imperiale massage, a body polish, or a package to cure your jet lag? Who doesn't! Get the whole menu from the Roosevelt's Guerlain website.

The Clock

In the tradition of all Waldof Astoria properties, the Roosevelt has a special clock on display in the lobby. This monumental conical clock was once featured at the 1867 and 1878 Paris exhibitions. The timepiece was crafted by two of France's most important artisans of the late 19th century: renowned clock-maker E. Farcot and sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier de Belleuse. Its base, which features the clock's face and inner mechanical movements, is carved from solid onyx marble. Atop the base, a bronze sculpture depicting a robed female figure holds a scepter. Rotating soundlessly from the female subject's hand, the scepter provides consistent motion that adds to the clock's sense of grandeur and mystery. From its base to the top of the bronze figure, the imposing grand clock stands at nearly 10 feet tall. Farcot, the most well-known of French conical clock-makers, established himself in 1860 and mastered his craft over a period of 30 years, helping to popularize the unique pendulum escapement, the mechanism which controls the motion of the inner wheels. Carrier de Belleuse was one of the most important and renowned sculptors of the 19th century, as well as the teacher of Auguste Rodin. In 1857, his bronze sculptures grabbed the attention of Napoleon III, and he was commissioned for several important national works, including his most famous piece, Torchere, which still flanks the staircase of the Paris Opera House.

Visit the hotel's website for more details.