Omni Royal Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
621 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70140
Original Property Opened in 1843
Historic Hotels of America member since 2010
Notice- Guestrooms will be undergoing renovations until Early 2027. Omni Royal Orleans is working two floors at a time so there is a bit of buffer to the noise but there still may be noise. Renovations will occur Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm.
After The City Exchange closed its doors in 1830, aspiring businessman James Hewlett decided to use the building to house a grand hotel. Hewlett, a Creole man descended from the city’s Black and French populations, had long yearned to own a magnificent commercial hub that would rival other New Orleans hotels in its elegance. When the hotel opened in 1843, it stood as one of the most glorious buildings in New Orleans. Its opening ceremony was attended by some 600 guests.
From then onward, this single block of the French Quarter has been a witness to the city’s transformations. Paul Newman, Patti LaBelle, and Muhammad Ali are just some of the 20th-century guests who stepped through its doors. Today, Omni Royal Orleans stewards the grand building at the spirited intersection of St. Louis and Royal streets. This AAA Four Diamond hotel incorporates modern amenities with a classic design and offers gastronomy influenced by the crossroads of cultures in New Orleans.
Discover
- Discover how hotelier James Hewlett and architect Jacques Nicholas Bussiere De Poilly transformed a former building of The City Exchange into a grand hotel called “The St. Louis Hotel” to serve both the European and Creole businessmen in the port city.
- Witness the European grand façade of the Omni Royal Orleans, which is decorated in white marble. See the exact replicas of this historic hotel’s famed arches, Spanish wrought iron railings, and Paris-style mansard roof.
- Discover the Parisian influence in the Omni Royal Orleans, which occupies an entire block in the French Quarter. The Paris-born De Poilly had been tasked with recreating the sophisticated aura of Paris’ Rue de Rivoli inside the building. The multileveled lobby still features marble, chandeliers, statues, and grand pianos.
Explore
- Explore the culture of the Big Easy in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. Famous for its New Orleans history, eclectic architecture, jazz clubs, and Cajun and Creole food, the French Quarter is a lively neighborhood bringing the best of New Orleans together.
- Stroll through the Garden District of New Orleans, which is known for its stately homes and lavish gardens, making it one of the city’s most breathtaking neighborhoods. Its charming environs include Magazine Street, which is known for its dynamic arts scene and collection of antiques and collectibles.
- Explore the natural world of the Gulf Coast by visiting the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, or Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. Or ride an airboat through southern Louisiana’s picturesque swamps and learn about the Delta’s ecology and wildlife.
Experience
- Experience New Orleans jazz at Three Maries Jazz Club, an intimate venue tucked beyond The Royal Bar at Omni Royal Orleans. With dark walls, golden light, and conservatory inspired details, the club hosts live performances Thursday–Sunday, including its new Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon series featuring artists with ties to New Orleans jazz traditions. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates, and a timeless atmosphere where history and music intertwine.
- Browse local storefronts and savor regional cuisine at the French Market, the nation’s oldest open air marketplace. Established in 1791 and modernized in the 1930s, it features historic architecture including Bazaar Market structures designed by Joseph Abeilard, a free man of color and respected antebellum architect.
- Enjoy the classic ambiance of the Royal Orleans Master Barber Shop, a traditional gentleman’s barbershop reflecting the elegance of the French Quarter. Master Barber Harold Klein has offered expert service here since 1985, bringing more than 40 years of experience to this uniquely historic setting.
Taste
- Enjoy a meal in the Rib Room, the signature restaurant of Omni Royal Orleans, a beloved dining institution for more than six decades. Celebrated for prime rib, beef specialties, and seafood cooked on French rotisseries and mesquite grills, the Rib Room has welcomed generations of guests and celebrity visitors, carrying forward hotel lore that’s as flavorful as its cuisine. Its storied Jazz Brunch endures with a refreshed setting and menu, inviting guests to linger over Southern classics and the Rib Room’s slow-roasted prime rib.
- Three Maries Jazz Club adds a unique experience to the hotel’s culinary cultural legacy. An intimate room of dark walls and golden light, it hosts live jazz multiple nights a week, including the introduction of the “Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon” series that flows naturally from Rib Room’s brunch, paired with elevated cocktails and small plates like jambalaya arancini and a petite muffuletta.
- By day, Fifi Parée serves thoughtfully crafted coffee in a Parisian-inspired space, offering a charming spot to pause between adventures. For a classic local ritual, pair beignets with chicory coffee at the nearby French Market, an easy stroll that connects today’s tastes with New Orleans’ timeless culinary traditions.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
