Not all hotels are created equal. Many are plain bad, others functional at best; some go above and beyond, and lots deserve a big thumbs-up. In seeking out those a cut-above, we often happen upon those that are excellent, special, or memorable. But more rarely do we discover those that have truly become a fabric of their location. An ‘institution,’ if you will. Developed in 1984 by New Orleans businessman and hopeless romantic for all things British, James “Jimmy” Coleman Jr, in anticipation of The World’s Fair coming to New Orleans, The Windsor Court is one such hotel.
Located in the heart of the Central Business District with impressive views over the Mississippi River — yet within skippable distance to either the world-famous French Quarter or the hip Warehouse District — The Windsor Court is undoubtedly one of the finest hotels in the city, and the state of Louisiana at large.
A sanctum of luxury for discerning travellers, the palatial premises is home to 314 guest rooms and suites boasting bathrooms with Italian marble, convenient, built-in charging stations, amenities by Diptyque, and beds so comfortable that only the lure of The Big Easy’s diverse food, music and culture scene could tear guests away.
New Orleans, or NOLA, as it’s known, is one of those magical cities. Noted the world over for its infamous partying, those who’ve not been may have a very different picture of how it looks on the ground. This city is green and hugely picturesque, with divine architecture. It is historic and alluring, beautiful in a way one doesn’t expect of the United States. And The Windsor Court is utterly befitting of a city so surprising and abundant in rich vistas. Jimmy Coleman’s vision of a grand ode to luxury and indulgence just works here in the jewel in Louisiana’s crown.
Jimmy, you see, had been to university in England, rubbed shoulders with aristocrats and the bourgeoisie. He’d watched polo and worn his knitted sweater over his shoulders. He’d fallen madly in love with the grandiose of Great Britain. Returning home and with the arrival of the last World’s Fair to be held in the US on the horizon, he set about transposing the historic elegance of The Ritz, the regal wonder of a stately home, the quaint beauty of a Cotswolds cottage to New Orleans. And so this singular hotel was born: not out of place in Belgravia or Mayfair, nor America’s Deep South.
Built on the premise of “delivering revered service within a refined space,” guests setting foot inside The Windsor Court are greeted by a classic, cloistered courtyard with a statue of Saint George (said to be looking guard over a wine collection worth over $1 million inside), before stepping into a sumptuous space that boasts large-scale pieces of fine art making up part of the hotel’s over $10 million collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries and furnishings from more than 60 artists through the 17th to late 20th centuries.
A gargantuan bouquet of fresh flowers, just some of the hundreds found throughout the hotel at any given time; a glamorous ‘salon’ where traditional afternoon tea is served; plush furnishings and detailed marble floors … and we haven’t even left the lobby.
We enjoy a slow morning coffee with impressive views of the famous Mississippi River and the sun shining into our suite.
Upstairs we find our suite, big enough to get lost in with classical furnishings, that infinitely comfortable bed, and impressive views over the river that shaped a nation. Guest rooms, in general, are over-sized and fuse contemporary comforts with traditional design. One can choose between 400 square feet of beautifully appointed guest rooms; 600 square feet deluxe suites with elegant seating areas complete with wet bars, dining tables and desks; and 800 square feet, one-bedroom premium suites.
Those looking for consummate luxury and convenience can reserve a suite on the Club Level, the ultimate in hospitality and service offering guests Club Level deluxe suites and Club Level premium suites, the latter located on the property’s top four floors and offering 800 square feet, one-bedroom sanctuaries to fully disconnect and recharge whilst travelling to the city.
The Club Level Lounge allows us to sample The Windsor Court’s famous afternoon tea with the added benefit of incredible vistas across the New Orleans skyline and Mississippi River.
Fresh flowers are literally everywhere, bringing with them the sumptuous ambience of English country homes.
Additional benefits of note include the Club Level Lounge with staggering skyline views, a dedicated concierge service and hours set aside throughout the day to indulge in breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. All without mention of the ‘James J. Coleman, Jr. Presidential Suite;’ a 2,800 square foot city centre paradise that we’re fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of, and which now lingers in the more enviable corners of our mind. This is luxury with a capital LUXE.
The supreme level of ambience continues as we take a memorable ‘Jazz Brunch’ at the exquisite Grill Room.
If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, the property also packs serious heat in the F&B game: The Grill Room, one of New Orleans’ finest dining rooms, where we enjoy a sublime ‘Jazz Brunch’ that allows us to truly disconnect just 48 hours after an entire day of travel; The Polo Club, a dark, gleaming temple of cocktails and conversation that is easily one of the most beautiful cocktail bars we’ve ever had the privilege of drinking in; the aforementioned Le Salon, where NOLA’s most exquisite afternoon tea is served; and Café Anglais, slinging coffees and pastries to those on the go.
Up on the roof you’ll find a 65-foot saltwater pool shimmering against the skyline, heated for the ‘cooler’ months, ringed with cabanas, and patrolled by attentive servers from The Pool Bar, pouring frozen cocktails, local beers, Veuve Clicquot, and anything else you might need before the sun goes down.
The Polo Club is a decadent cocktail bar that conjures the most evocative of London’s classic members’ clubs.
The spa, gym, and meeting spaces have all recently undergone thoughtful renovations; locals continue to flock for live jazz and the hotel’s signature afternoon tea. Accolades continue to stack up — among them, a spot on Travel + Leisure’s Top 50 Large City Hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and a Best Hotels in the USA nod from U.S. News & World Report — 10,000 square feet of event space, meanwhile, allows the property to set the stage for any and every occasion.
So, not all hotels are created equal. And the house that Jimmy built is testament to that. Thoughtful, considered, palatial, decadent and excellent in each and every way; New Orleans’ The Windsor Court is a surprising find in a surprising city, an example of how a ‘passion project’ can stand head and shoulders above all else. In a city renowned for excess, The Windsor Court is its most elegant expression: timeless, towering, and entirely its own.
Photography, courtesy The Windsor Court New Orleans / © We Heart.
