Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

"Why book?This brand 2021 opening adds a bold, colorful hotel to the Central Business District (CBD). A plum location, a stand-out dining room and Kimpton’s standard quirky amenities all add up to an exciting new place to stay. Set the scene:Located on the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas streets, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the French Quarter, the Mississippi River and all of the city’s downtown attractions. A new arrival, the hotel is already creating a buzz and the opening has attracted the city’s scenesters to check out the much-vaunted Peacock Room. For now, the crowd skews young and curious—the early adopters of the New Orleans hotel scene. The backstory:Kimpton has been absent as a brand in the city for some 16 years, when the failure of the federal levees caused their last hotel to close. This, then, is something of a triumphant return, and the former Staybridge Suites building has been transformed into a dynamic boutique space by the MARKZEFF design studio. A more historic neighboring building will eventually provide more accommodation space but for now, it’s a building that has shed its skin and emerged a beautiful butterfly (or, to be more accurate, a beautiful peacock). The rooms:The flamboyance of the lobby and dining/bar space is countered by the assured minimalism of the bedrooms. Clean lines, bright whites and black wrought iron fittings make for a sleek, modern aesthetic. Soft pinks and purples provide some pop, but it’s the cane beds and tamboured armoires that hint at a detailed approach to comfort. Dark grey chaise lounges lurk stylishly at the end of the beds, which are decked out in high-end Frette linens. Colorful, curated contemporary art provides a welcome modicum of the sense of place, and the amenities include bluetooth speakers, yoga mats and Atelier Bloem bath products. Food and drink:The hotel’s crown jewel is the elaborately decadent Peacock Room. Bedecked in jewel tones of metallic blue and purple, and with actual stuffed peacocks overlooking the tables, it’s a statement dining room. Booths and open tables, as well as bar seating, deliver an exclusive-feeling lounge atmosphere, aided by the small stage in the corner that features acoustic sets from local jazz musicians. The menu is small but focused, with inventive local delicacies such as duck and oyster gumbo and blue crab pimento cheese. It’s already a buzzing scene as the curious arrive to sip cocktails and luxuriate in the regal surroundings. Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats provides a more casual, cafe-like spot just off the front lobby. In 2023, the hotel opened its second restaurant, Kings Brasserie, serving elevated European and Louisianan cuisine. The neighborhood:This end of the CBD is close to Harrah’s Casino and the attractions along the Mississippi River, including the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. A quick walk into the CBD itself will bring visitors to the art galleries of Julia Street and the World War II Museum, with the nightlife of the French Quarter also on the doorstep. The service:The staff are full of the enthusiasm and seem incredibly well trained and friendly. Kimpton’s brand values of approachable professionalism really shine through, and their standard pet-friendly policies are all in place. The daily hosted evening social hour is a great chance to meet some of them. Accessibility:The hotel is fully accessible and has 5 specialized ADA-approved guest rooms. Anything left to mention?The hotel has come out swinging with events and one of the best-looking dining rooms in town, and the guest rooms back up the quality that’s evident in the public spaces. A fitness room featuring Pelton bikes is also a great addition." - Paul Oswell