Walk out the front doors of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the jazz. It’s the humidity. That thick, heavy Louisiana air hits you like a warm blanket, but honestly, that’s exactly what you signed up for. You’re standing on Canal Street. To your left, the streetcars are clanging their way toward the Garden District. To your right, the French Quarter is already starting to wake up, smelling faintly of powdered sugar and whatever happened the night before on Bourbon Street.
It’s big.
With over 1,100 rooms stacked into a massive tower that dominates the skyline, this place isn’t trying to be a boutique, "shabby-chic" hidden gem. It’s a machine. But it’s a machine that works. Most people booking a trip to the Crescent City get paralyzed by options. Do you go for the haunted charm of a smaller inn where the floorboards creak, or do you stick with something that has reliable Wi-Fi and a gym that doesn't feel like a closet?
The Reality of Staying at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
If you’ve stayed in enough Marriotts, you know the drill, but the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel feels a bit different because of the scale. The lobby is massive. It’s basically the city's living room. On any given Tuesday, you’ll see suits closing million-dollar deals at the Pelican Bar right next to a family of five wearing matching Mardi Gras beads and looking completely overwhelmed.
That’s the charm.
The rooms were renovated a few years back, moving away from that dated, floral carpet look to something much cleaner. Think crisp whites, deep blues, and work desks that actually have enough outlets for your laptop, phone, and portable charger. If you’re lucky enough to snag a room on a higher floor facing the Mississippi River, the view is a literal time machine. You can watch the Natchez steamboat churn its way upriver while the sun sets over the West Bank. It’s quiet up there. Surprisingly quiet, considering you’re a three-minute walk from the chaos of the Quarter.
Location is the Whole Point
Let’s be real. You aren’t staying here for a "local" experience inside the walls. You’re staying here because you can walk everywhere.
Canal Street is the great divider. Cross it, and you're in the French Quarter. Stay on the Sheraton side, and you're in the Central Business District (CBD). This is a tactical advantage. You get to play in the Quarter—eat the oysters at Felix’s, listen to the brass bands on Frenchmen Street—but when the noise gets to be too much, you retreat across the street to a place that actually has central air conditioning that works.
Most people don't realize how much of a difference that makes until they're trying to sleep while a bachelor party is screaming "Don't Stop Believin'" outside their window at 3:00 AM. At the Sheraton, the walls are thick enough to keep the party where it belongs.
💡 You might also like: Hotels Near University of Texas Arlington: What Most People Get Wrong
What Most People Get Wrong About the Club Lounge
There is a lot of chatter online about whether the Club Level upgrade is worth the extra cash. Usually, I’d say skip it and go buy a po'boy. But here? The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel has one of the better lounges in the entire Marriott portfolio.
It’s on the 42nd floor.
The view alone justifies the price of admission. You’re looking down on the roof of the Caesars Superdome and out across the bend in the river. They serve breakfast—real breakfast, not just a sad granola bar—and evening hors d'oeuvres. If you're a business traveler, this is your sanctuary. If you’re a tourist, it’s where you go to grab a coffee before heading out to the National WWII Museum, which, by the way, is a short Uber ride or a very manageable walk away.
The Pelican Bar and the "Lobby Culture"
NOLA is a drinking town. You know this. But the Pelican Bar in the lobby isn't just some generic hotel lounge. It’s strategically placed. Because the hotel hosts so many massive conventions—think everything from neurosurgeons to tech developers—the bar becomes this weird, wonderful crossroads.
I’ve sat there and watched a jazz trio play while the "Second Line" parades through the lobby. Yes, they actually do that. New Orleans doesn't just happen outside; the hotel brings it inside. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and it feels like the city.
The service is "New Orleans fast," which is to say, it's friendly but don't expect a New York minute. The bartenders know how to make a proper Sazerac. If they use bourbon instead of rye or forget the Herbsaint, they shouldn't be working on Canal Street. Thankfully, they know their stuff.
Meeting Space and the "Big Easy" Logistics
If you’re here for a conference, you’re going to be walking. A lot. The hotel has over 100,000 square feet of meeting space. It’s easy to get lost between the Napoleon Ballroom and the smaller breakout rooms.
One pro tip: Use the escalators, not the elevators, if you're just moving between meeting floors. During the morning rush when 2,000 people are trying to get to a keynote, the elevator banks can get backed up. It’s the one time the hotel’s size feels like a drawback. But once you’re in the sessions, the tech is modern and the catering—usually a weak point for hotels—actually leans into local flavors. You’ll get jambalaya and bread pudding instead of the standard "rubber chicken" circuit food.
📖 Related: 10 day forecast myrtle beach south carolina: Why Winter Beach Trips Hit Different
Dealing with the Logistics (The Annoying Stuff)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Valet parking.
Don't do it.
Unless your company is paying for it, the valet fees at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel—and every other hotel on Canal—are astronomical. We're talking $50+ a night. There are public garages nearby, like the one at the Foot Locker around the corner or over by the casino, that will save you twenty bucks a day. Better yet? Don't rent a car. New Orleans is a city meant for walking, streetcars, and the occasional ride-share.
The elevators also use that "destination dispatch" system where you pick your floor on a screen outside before you get in. It confuses everyone for the first ten minutes. Just stick with it; it’s actually more efficient once you stop trying to find the buttons inside the car.
The Competition: Sheraton vs. Marriott vs. Monteleone
Why pick this one?
The New Orleans Marriott is literally right across the street. They are like twin towers. Honestly, they are very similar. The Marriott tends to feel a bit more "corporate," while the Sheraton feels a bit more "open."
If you want history and a carousel that actually spins while you drink, you go to the Hotel Monteleone. But you’ll pay more for a room half the size. If you want ultra-modern luxury, you head to the Four Seasons down by the river.
The Sheraton sits in that sweet spot. It’s for the person who wants a king-sized bed they can trust, a shower with actual water pressure, and a location that means they don't need a map to find the French Market. It’s the "Old Reliable" of Canal Street.
👉 See also: Rock Creek Lake CA: Why This Eastern Sierra High Spot Actually Lives Up to the Hype
What to Do Right Outside the Door
You’re positioned perfectly for a few "must-dos" that aren't just Bourbon Street:
- Sazerac House: Just a block away. It’s an interactive museum dedicated to the cocktail. It’s free, but you need a reservation.
- Ruby Slipper Cafe: Amazing breakfast, but the wait is brutal. Put your name in on the app before you even leave your hotel room.
- The Riverfront: Walk past the Aquarium and just sit by the water. The breeze off the Mississippi is the only thing that makes July bearable.
Practical Steps for Your Stay
Don't just book the first rate you see. If you’re a AAA member or a government employee, the discounts here are usually significant because of the sheer volume of rooms they need to fill.
When you check in, ask if there are any rooms available on the "quiet side" away from the Canal Street elevators. Even with the good soundproofing, the 2:00 AM revelry can sometimes vibrate through the glass on the lower floors.
Check the "destination fees" too. Most big hotels in NOLA have them now. They usually include some "credits" for food or drinks. Don't let those go to waste. Use them at the Starbucks in the lobby or for a late-night snack at the 24-hour grab-and-go market.
If you’re planning to visit during Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest, book a year in advance. Not six months. A year. This hotel is the "parade headquarters" for many people because the floats pass literally right in front of the door. You can watch the madness from the safety of the lobby windows while holding a drink that didn't cost $20 in a plastic cup.
Final Thoughts on the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
It isn't a boutique experience. It isn't a quaint bed and breakfast. It's a high-rise powerhouse that puts you exactly where you need to be. Whether you're here to talk shop in a ballroom or eat your weight in beignets at Cafe Du Monde (which is a 10-minute walk, by the way), it serves as a solid, dependable anchor in a city that is famously unpredictable.
Actionable Insights for Travelers:
- Download the Marriott Bonvoy App: Use it for mobile check-in and to bypass the front desk line, which can be long during convention peaks.
- Skip the Rental Car: Use the $50+ you save on parking for a dinner at Gwen or Arnaud's.
- Request a River View: It’s worth the ask at check-in, even if you didn't pay for the upgrade. The city side is just buildings; the river side is magic.
- Pack a Light Jacket: Even if it’s 90 degrees outside, the Sheraton’s A/C is legendary and keeps the lobby and meeting rooms brisk.
- Join the Club: If you have Titanium or Ambassador status, the 42nd-floor lounge access is automatic—make sure you use it for the sunset views.