Is Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes—Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is worth it if you want a high-end, centrally located hotel with river and city views, a rooftop heated saltwater infinity pool, on-site fine dining (including Chemin à la Mer and Chandelier Bar), and extensive event/spa facilities. It’s best for travelers who value service, location at 2 Canal Street, and polished amenities; budget-minded travelers should note valet parking and dining are extra costs.
In this guide
- Location & neighbourhood — hard to beat for sightseeing
- Rooms & suites — clear options, many river or city views
- Food & drink — in-house chef-driven restaurants and a signature bar
- Wellness & pool — rooftop saltwater infinity pool and a full spa
- Service, events & business facilities
- Who should stay here — good fits and who should look elsewhere
Location & neighbourhood — hard to beat for sightseeing
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans sits at 2 Canal Street on the Mississippi Riverfront at the foot of Canal Street, a short walk to the French Quarter, Riverwalk, Warehouse/Arts District and the Central Business District.
Because the hotel opens directly onto the riverfront and has streetcar access at the foot of Canal Street, it’s convenient for first-time visitors who want easy walking or streetcar routes to downtown attractions.
- Steps to Riverwalk Marketplace and Caesars New Orleans Casino
- About a 12-minute walk to St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter
- Streetcar access at the hotel edge for local transit
| Nearby place | Typical walk time (reported) |
|---|---|
| Caesars New Orleans Casino / Riverwalk | 1 minute |
| Audubon Aquarium / Woldenberg Riverfront Park | About 3 minutes |
| French Quarter / St. Louis Cathedral | Roughly 12 minutes |
Rooms & suites — clear options, many river or city views
The property offers 341 rooms and suites across a range of room types, several explicitly named on the hotel site. Many rooms overlook the Mississippi River or city skyline.
Room names include Deluxe Room, River View; Deluxe Room, City View; Executive Suite, City View; Executive Suite, River View (Deluxe Four Seasons); Deluxe Suite, River View; Suite, 2 Bedrooms, City View; Premier Room, City View; Premier Room, River View; Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View; Superior Room, City View; and Superior Room.
- Many rooms list specific bed configurations (e.g., Deluxe Room, River View: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds).
- Family-friendly room options and suites suitable for small groups or families.
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi available in all rooms and public areas.
| Example room | Noted feature |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room, River View | River-facing windows; king or two doubles |
| Suite, 2 Bedrooms, City View | More living space; listed at 1,625 sq. ft. |
| Superior Room, City View | 453 sq. ft.; king bed noted |
Food & drink — in-house chef-driven restaurants and a signature bar
On-site dining includes Chemin à la Mer (Chef Donald Link’s contemporary French Creole brasserie), Miss River (Chef Alon Shaya’s signature restaurant), Trattoria Varco (Italian on the fifth floor), and the Chandelier Bar with its 15,000-crystal installation.
Restaurants are open to non-guests and have varied hours; the hotel also offers 24-hour private in-room dining and poolside dining during daytime hours.
- Chemin à la Mer: lunch, dinner, and weekend Jazz Brunch (hours listed on hotel and venue pages).
- Trattoria Varco: breakfast and dinner service; Bar Varco hosts an Aperitivo Hour.
- Chandelier Bar: cocktails and evening service with late-night hours on some days.
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Chemin à la Mer | Lunch & Dinner; Jazz Brunch weekends |
| Trattoria Varco | Breakfast daily; dinner select nights |
| Chandelier Bar | Cocktails, caviar service, late hours |
Wellness & pool — rooftop saltwater infinity pool and a full spa
The fifth-floor Pool Deck features a 75-foot crescent-shaped heated saltwater infinity pool overlooking the Mississippi River, open daily for registered guests with poolside dining available.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is a 5,525 sq. ft. facility with eight treatment rooms, a couple's suite with soaking tub, relaxation lounge, steam room, and his-and-her lockers. The Spa offers signature treatments and was the first spa in Louisiana to offer Biologique Recherche.
- Pool hours reported as 7:00 am–10:00 pm; pool is for registered guests only.
- Spa hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00 am–6:00 pm; Friday–Saturday 9:00 am–7:00 pm.
- Fitness Centre is open 24 hours and includes Peloton bikes.
| Amenity | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Rooftop Pool | 75-foot heated saltwater infinity pool; guest-only; complimentary pool toys for kids |
| The Spa | 8 treatment rooms; signature Southern Rose and Spa de Deux offerings |
| Fitness Centre | Open 24 hours; designed by Harley Pasternak; Peloton bikes |
Service, events & business facilities
Four Seasons provides concierge, 24-hour front desk, porter, luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning services. Event space totals more than 29,000 sq. ft., including the Plimsoll Ballroom and River Ballroom with large river-facing windows.
The hotel lists multiple venue sizes and capacities for weddings and conferences, plus Vue Orleans, a rooftop observation deck used for events.
- Plimsoll Ballroom: large, column-free ballroom with floor-to-ceiling river windows.
- Total meeting space: about 29,000 sq. ft. across multiple rooms and foyers.
- Vue Orleans observation deck provides 360-degree views and can host events.
| Venue | Noted reception capacity |
|---|---|
| Plimsoll Ballroom | Up to several hundred (listed banquet and reception capacities on site) |
| River Ballroom | Mid-to-large receptions with river views |
| Vue Orleans | Rooftop observation deck used for events |
Who should stay here — good fits and who should look elsewhere
Good fit: travelers who want a full-service luxury hotel with reliable Four Seasons service, central riverfront location, on-site fine dining, a notable rooftop pool and a sizable spa. Families are explicitly welcome and the hotel markets family amenities.
Not ideal: budget travelers who prefer lower nightly costs or visitors who need self-parking, since the property is valet-only and valet charges are separately applied; travelers seeking an adults-only or party-focused hotel should look elsewhere.
- Family-friendly features include in-room camping, kid-size bathrobes, free dining for children 5 and under, and pool toys.
- Pets: cats and dogs are permitted in rooms with certain rules; check the hotel's policy for details.
- No complimentary airport shuttle is consistently reported; many sources say no shuttle is provided.
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families | Recommended — family amenities and kid-friendly pool offerings |
| Business travelers / event planners | Recommended — extensive meeting and ballroom space |
| Budget travelers | Not recommended — luxury pricing and extra fees for parking/dining |
