You’re standing on the corner of Canal and St. Charles, and the humidity is already starting to curl your hair. You can hear a brass band somewhere toward the river. To your left, the neon of the French Quarter is starting to flicker to life. To your right, the Central Business District looks all shiny and corporate.
The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel sits right in the middle of that tension. It’s huge. It’s iconic. Honestly, it's the kind of place that defines the New Orleans skyline.
Some people think staying on Bourbon Street itself is the move. It isn't. Unless you enjoy the smell of stale beer at 7:00 AM and the constant thrum of a "Hand Grenade" daiquiri machine through your wall, you want to be exactly where the Sheraton is. It’s just across Canal Street. Close enough to walk to the party in four minutes, but far enough away that you can actually sleep when the 2:00 AM wall hits.
The Reality of the Canal Street Location
Location is everything in NOLA. If you're too far into the Garden District, you’re spending a fortune on Ubers. If you’re too deep in the Quarter, you're trapped in a tourist bubble. The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel occupies this weirdly perfect middle ground.
Canal Street is the widest "main street" in America. It acts as the border. On one side, you have the historic French Quarter. On the other, the Warehouse District and the CBD. Staying at 500 Canal Street means you have the streetcar line right at your front door. You can hop on the St. Charles line—the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world—and be under the oak canopies of Uptown in twenty minutes.
It's a massive property. We’re talking over 1,100 rooms. When a hotel is that big, people worry about feeling like a number. But there’s a specific energy in the lobby here. It’s a hub. During Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras, this lobby is basically a secondary festival grounds. You'll see musicians carrying trumpet cases, business travelers in suits trying to look serious, and families covered in plastic beads.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Let’s be real: you aren't coming to New Orleans to sit in a hotel room. But when you do finally collapse, you want a view.
The rooms at the Sheraton New Orleans are divided. You either get the Mississippi River view or the French Quarter/City view. If you can swing it, get the river view. Watching the massive tankers and the Natchez steamboat navigate the "Crescent" of the river is weirdly hypnotic. The rooms themselves are what you'd expect from a high-end Sheraton—clean, predictable, and featuring those ridiculously comfortable Sweet Sleeper beds.
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Is it "shabby chic" like some of the boutique hotels in the Quarter? No.
Is it haunted like the Omni Royal Orleans? Probably not, though every building in this city feels like it has at least one ghost.
It's reliable. In a city where "New Orleans time" means things often move slowly or break down, the reliability of a massive Marriott-bonvoy property is actually a relief. You know the AC is going to work. In July in Louisiana, that is a non-negotiable requirement for human survival.
Dealing with the Bourbon Street Proximity
People search for "Sheraton Bourbon Street New Orleans" because they want the proximity without the chaos. Here is the insider secret: the walk from the Sheraton to the 100 block of Bourbon is exactly two blocks.
You cross Canal. You walk past the Walgreens and the souvenir shops. Boom. You’re at the corner of Bourbon and Canal.
From there, the street changes character every few blocks. The first few are the "tourist" blocks—lots of neon, huge drinks, and loud music. As you get deeper, past St. Ann, it becomes the LGBTQ+ hub of the city, which is arguably where the best dance floors are. If you keep going all the way to the end, it quietens down into residential beauty.
Staying at the Sheraton gives you an "out." When the crowds get too thick or the "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes" guys get too persistent, you just walk back across Canal Street. The transition from the chaos of the Quarter to the marble-clad, air-conditioned quiet of the Sheraton lobby is the best feeling in the world.
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The Club Lounge and Dining Situation
If you have Marriott Elite status, or if you just feel like paying for the upgrade, the Sheraton New Orleans Club Lounge is one of the better ones in the South. It’s perched high up with floor-to-ceiling windows.
They serve breakfast and evening appetizers. It’s not just "hotel food." You’ll often find actual local flavors—grits that don't taste like cardboard, and sometimes even mini-muffulettas.
Downstairs, the Pelican Bar is a vibe. It’s named after the state bird, obviously. It’s massive and open, right in the center of the atrium. It's the perfect place to grab a Sazerac before you head out for dinner.
Speaking of dinner, don't just eat at the hotel. You're in the culinary capital of the United States.
- Domenica: Just a few blocks away in the Roosevelt. Best wood-fired pizza and roasted cauliflower you'll ever have.
- Luke: Famous for their 75-cent happy hour oysters (check the current times, they change).
- Bearcat CBD: Great for breakfast if you want something that isn't just a heavy beignet.
Parking and Logistics: The Not-So-Fun Part
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Parking.
New Orleans is an old city. It was not built for SUVs. Valet parking at the Sheraton—and every other hotel on Canal—is expensive. Expect to pay $50 or more per night. If you’re driving in, just factor that into your budget.
Alternatively, there are several "Premium Parking" garages nearby (like P145 or P402) that might save you ten bucks a day, but then you’re hauling your own luggage through the humid streets. If you can avoid bringing a car, do it. This is a walking and ride-share city.
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The hotel is also a major convention spot. If you happen to stay during a week when 5,000 cardiologists are in town for a conference, the elevators can be a bit of a wait. Just leave five minutes earlier than you think you need to.
Is it worth it for Mardi Gras?
The Sheraton is literally on the parade route for several major krewes. During Carnival season, this is ground zero.
The hotel puts up barricades. They have security checking wristbands. It feels like a fortress, which is actually what you want when there are 100,000 people outside your front door. You can walk out the doors, catch a few beads from a passing float on Canal Street, and then pop back inside to use a clean restroom.
Ask anyone who has been to Mardi Gras: access to a clean, private restroom is worth its weight in gold.
Making the Most of Your Stay
New Orleans is a city of layers. The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel is a solid, professional basecamp that lets you explore those layers without getting overwhelmed.
Don't spend all your time on Bourbon Street. Take the streetcar to the Garden District. Go see the mansions on Prytania Street. Eat a po-boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern. Listen to some real jazz on Frenchmen Street—which is about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute Uber from the hotel.
People come to this city to lose themselves a little bit. That’s easier to do when you know you have a high-quality, predictable place to return to at the end of the night.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit:
- Request a high floor: The street noise on Canal Street can be loud. The higher you are, the more the city sounds like a dull hum rather than a construction site.
- Check the Convention Calendar: Before booking, look at the New Orleans Convention Center schedule. If a massive event is happening, the Sheraton will be bustling. If you want quiet, pick a "dark" week.
- Download the Le Pass app: This is for the streetcars and buses. Don't fumble with exact change. Buy a "Jazzy Pass" on your phone and just scan it when you board.
- Walk the Riverfront: Exit the hotel, turn toward the water, and walk through the Spanish Plaza. It’s a great way to clear your head after a night in the Quarter.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even the base level of membership can sometimes get you better Wi-Fi or a slightly later checkout, which you will definitely need if you stay out late on Bourbon Street.
New Orleans isn't a place you visit; it's a place you experience. Whether you're there for the history, the food, or the sheer madness of Bourbon Street, having a reliable anchor like the Sheraton makes the whole thing a lot more manageable. Enjoy the humidity, eat too much gumbo, and remember to pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.