"Why book?
It’s a surprisingly grand property given that this was once a place where locals came to pay their electricity bills—the building now cuts a stylish silhouette in what was once a bland part of the Central Business District.
Set the scene
There’s usually a couple of corners occupied by people in suits discussing sales targets and the like, but it’s more a place for families and couples who want to explore the nearby French Quarter and the delights of New Orleans’ downtown neighborhoods. It’s not a hotel marketed explicitly to children, but its outdoor pool and large family rooms provide an ideal base for walking to popular attractions such as the Mississippi River, the Audubon Aquarium, the World War II Museum, and beyond.
The backstory
Almost a hundred years ago, this imperious building was built to house New Orleans Public Service, the city's general utility company, along with a selection of its employees. Civic administration isn’t the most glamorous origin story, but this new iteration takes a completely different task.
The rooms
My sixth-floor King Room had an immediately notable sense of refinement to it. The rich fabrics of the lobby were thoughtfully mirrored, and even in these entry-level accommodations, there’s a choice of three different types of chair so that you can dip in and out of work and relaxation modes with alacrity. The design even extended to a small but perfectly formed lounging corner with an armchair and side table. The deep powder blues of the furniture popped nicely against the neutral earth tones of the palette, and floor-to-ceilings windows dispensed generous amounts of daylight. In-room art paid subtle homage to the building’s history. The subway-tiled bathroom stood out with its capacious walk-in shower, with Mistral bath products a decadent amenity.
Food and drink
Hotels in such an epicurean city as New Orleans have to come correct when it comes to their food and beverage offerings, and the NOPSI manages to stick the landing. It sets out its stall immediately as you enter the lobby, with casual gin joint Undercurrent to the left. Turn right just off the entrance hall and you’ll find yourself in their flagship bar and restaurant, Public Service. The wooden bar shelves are set against portions of more exposed brick, and stand strong under the weight of the hotel’s eclectic whiskey and bourbon collection. You can eat and drink here from breakfast all the way through to dinner. It’s worth the trip to the sunny rooftop pool and bar area, Above The Grid, for the freshly-made daiquiris alone.
The neighborhood/area
The NOPSI is a sophisticated addition to the boutique portfolio of the city’s Central Business District. The vaulted ceilings of the lobby, marble desks, and framed NOPSI memorabilia are all remnants of a proud past, while wartime-era brass fittings and blue velvet chairs in the lobby stylishly evoke a bygone age. You can even catch glimpses of exposed brick and aging pulley systems.
The service
A legacy of public service has been faithfully maintained. Everyone from the doorman to the front desk and servers never gave anything less than their full, friendly commitment, at least the people that I interacted with. Managers weren’t shy about helping with luggage and the like when lobby staff were otherwise engaged.
For families
The hotel isn't explicitly marketed to families, but children would enjoy the pool and the larger rooms would also appeal to families. Most of the downtown attractions are all very easily walkable.
Eco effort
The property has taken some steps to provide more sustainable and eco-friendly travel including the option to opt out of daily room cleaning and the option to reuse towels.
Accessibility
The hotel has 17 adapted rooms with widened doors, visual alarms and adapted bathrooms.
Anything left to mention? There’s something evocative about wandering gleaming marble halls that were built to be an office for people to perform workaday tasks such as paying their electricity bills and the like. The romance of a bygone age is very apparent, and it’s done with assured, understated taste instead of theme park gimmickry. A comfortable rooftop pool area is also a godsend in times of warmer weather, which in this part of the world is around 95% of the year." - Paul Oswell
