Kyle G.
Yelp
I had a mixed experience here, but after all is said and done, I wouldn't stay again (unfortunate, as I'm coming to NOLA annually for work), and I've recommended to my corporate travel team that they don't offer it as an option in the future.
The positive aspect of the hotel is its aesthetic/character. The antique-feeling furniture and chandeliers in the rooms; the pool and the balconies (be warned: NOT all rooms have balconies). It's also in a good location.
I stayed here for a full week, so I probably interacted with just about every first floor employee. There were a couple who were very nice, particularly one woman working in the evening and an older gentleman with the valet. For the most part, the others were neutral-to-apathetic and inflexible.
They don't allow room changes in any circumstance. I asked on multiple occasions and was always told no, even when I went down at check out time, thinking I could slip into a room as some guests checked out and before others checked in. It was explained that the hotel was fully booked (though it was still showing up online when I searched for availability), and that room changes weren't permitted because I had purchased a specific room type-- which I did not select at booking time. They only gave me the option to upgrade to penthouse if I paid like $700 more/night.
This frustrated because I had a corner room across from the ice maker and next to the elevator, and my balcony-absent window faced a wall. Not that I would want to subject anybody else to this room, but for at least the later portion of the stay, when I had to work and spend more time back at the hotel, a nicer environment would have done wonders.
That wasn't the only problem, though.
The hotel door is sometimes locked at night and you have to enter through the garage. The first night, that entrance was also locked. There was a sign instructing guests to show their key card through the window to the front desk attendant to be granted access-- but nobody was at the front desk. It was cold outside and late, but I had to wait for the valet guy to come back and knock loudly on the window before somebody reappeared at the desk and let us in.
The people working always had different information. The room change process was one example (some employees would tell me that I could swap but said to check back at a certain time, but at that time a different employee would have a different story). Another was when I asked about early check out, as I was exploring leaving early. One employee said I would be charged a $100+ cancellation fee. Another said it was not possible, I would be charged the full amount, unless the manager approved foregoing the charge. The manager later returned a call I'd made her and left a voicemail (unfortunately a day too late, as I needed to rebook my flight the day I was asking the question) to tell me that I could, but there would be a $75 fee.
The walls were a bit thin and I was able to hear my neighbors, and (although it isn't the hotel's fault), there is a train that runs by the hotel at the WORST times (e.g., 430am). I used to live across the street from a very active freight train track and it was never as loud as this, so just FYI for light or even regular sleepers.
They provide two free miniature waters for your entire stay. Unlike other hotels which will replace them daily or just give you more if you ask, Bienville charges $3 per small bottle, or you can buy standard size bottles for $2 from the vending machine. No exceptions. It doesn't matter if you stay one night or seven.
There were other things that bugged: bath products with useless allergens in them, like dairy. No recycling option. Lids that don't fit the coffee cups in the rooms.
Bed was comfortable, though. Shower temperature was temperamental over the 7 days I was there (sometimes way too hot when halfway turned up, sometimes too lukewarm when fully turned up, with no relation to length of shower time). Overall it was comfortable, but subpar, and customer service was lacking. Not worth the frustration of a return visit...
