
InterContinental New Orleans
Best for business groups, meetings, and travelers who want straightforward downtown access with a rooftop outdoor pool.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
InterContinental New Orleans is a 484-room, business-friendly hotel on historic St. Charles Avenue with a rooftop pool and downtown meeting space; read this if you want a practical, central base near the streetcar line. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is a landmark Beaux-Arts luxury hotel on Canal Street in the French Quarter/CBD corridor; read this if you want grander, full-service luxury and a hotel spa in the heart of the action.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for business groups, meetings, and travelers who want straightforward downtown access with a rooftop outdoor pool.

Best for travelers seeking refined, full-service luxury, an indoor pool and spa, and a landmark address near Bourbon/Canal Street.
When InterContinental New Orleans wins: choose the InterContinental if you want direct access to the St. Charles streetcar, large and flexible meeting/event spaces, a rooftop outdoor pool, and family-friendly rooms with free Wi‑Fi and straightforward on-site dining.
When The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans wins: pick the Ritz-Carlton for a more formal luxury experience—larger room inventory, a full-service spa, indoor pool and sauna, and the hotel’s signature Beaux-Arts public spaces steps from Canal and Bourbon Streets.
Bottom line: both are upscale downtown options within easy walking distance of the French Quarter; pick InterContinental for business-focused practicality and rooftop sun, or the Ritz-Carlton for classic luxury and on-site spa amenities.
| Category | InterContinental New Orleans | The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Business-social, modern downtown hotel on St. Charles Avenue | Classic Beaux-Arts luxury in a landmark Canal Street building |
| Location | 444 St. Charles Ave — on the St. Charles streetcar line, a few blocks from the French Quarter | 921 Canal St — steps from Canal Street and Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter/CBD corridor |
| Size (rooms) | 484 rooms across 14 floors | 528 rooms |
| Audience / age policy | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 for the registering guest | All ages welcome (hotel is family-friendly) |
| Pools | One outdoor rooftop pool (15th floor) with sundeck; no hot tub | One indoor pool |
| Restaurants & bars | Two on-site venues (Trenasse, Pete's) plus light-fare option SoifFaim; poolside service available | On-site dining options including M bistro, a bar/lounge, and 24-hour room service; also a coffee shop/café |
| Spa & wellness | No on-site spa; 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa, sauna, and fitness facilities |
| Meetings & events | About 33,000 sq ft and 19 meeting rooms, large LaSalle/Grand Ballroom (up to ~640 guests) | Extensive conference space (33 meeting rooms; ~35,000 sq ft) and large event facilities |
| Known for | Streetcar-side location, large meeting spaces, rooftop pool and Trenasse oyster bar | Landmark Canal Street address, formal public rooms, club/club-level rooms and spa |
| Parking & transport notes | Valet parking (surcharge); no airport shuttle; on the streetcar line | Valet parking (surcharge); preferred airport MSY about 12–13 miles away |
InterContinental sits on historic St. Charles Avenue in the Central Business District with direct streetcar access and quick walks to the French Quarter.
Choose InterContinental for convenient streetcar access and a St. Charles Avenue address.
The Ritz-Carlton occupies a landmark Canal Street location steps from Canal and Bourbon Streets and many French Quarter attractions.
Choose the Ritz-Carlton if you want to be at the Canal/Bourbon Street edge of the French Quarter.
InterContinental offers 484 rooms with a mix of classic and premium room types plus suites and some balcony options.
InterContinental is practical for business travelers and families who want a full range of room sizes and balcony options.
The Ritz-Carlton lists a broad set of Deluxe rooms, Club Rooms, and many suites including specialty Vieux Carré and Ritz-Carlton Suites.
Ritz-Carlton suits travelers who want a wider range of luxury room and suite choices, including club-level perks.
InterContinental has two main on-site outlets focused on regional cuisine and pub-style comfort.
Pick InterContinental if you want a reliable downtown restaurant and pub with local Gulf Coast dishes and easy poolside options.
The Ritz-Carlton offers full-service dining, a bar/lounge and 24-hour room service in a formal luxury setting.
Choose the Ritz-Carlton for more formal, full-service dining and late-night room service.
InterContinental’s most visible amenity is its outdoor rooftop pool on the 15th floor with a sundeck and lounge seating.
InterContinental is the choice for guests who value an outdoor pool and city views from a rooftop deck.
The Ritz-Carlton features an indoor pool alongside a full-service spa and sauna.
Ritz-Carlton is better if you want year-round pool access and on-site spa services.
InterContinental covers basics with a 24-hour fitness center and on-site evening dining and pub hours.
InterContinental fits travelers who prioritize a round-the-clock gym and casual evening gathering spots.
The Ritz-Carlton provides a fuller wellness program and more formal evening venues.
Ritz-Carlton is the better pick for travelers wanting in-house spa treatments and more formal evening service.

InterContinental — very large, flexible meeting and ballroom space with a LaSalle/Grand Ballroom that opens onto St. Charles Avenue.

The Ritz-Carlton — a full-service spa, indoor pool and formal public rooms for a traditional luxury stay.

InterContinental — rooftop pool and poolside dining plus Trenasse and Pete’s for regional and pub-style meals.

The Ritz-Carlton — steps from Canal Street, Bourbon Street and French Quarter attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton is on Canal Street at the French Quarter edge and is closer to Bourbon Street; InterContinental is a few blocks away on St. Charles Avenue.
The Ritz-Carlton has a full-service spa and a sauna; InterContinental does not have an on-site spa but offers a 24-hour fitness center.
Yes. Both properties welcome children; both are not adults-only. Note that InterContinental requires the registering guest to be at least 21.
InterContinental sits directly on the St. Charles streetcar line for easy, scenic access to areas like the Garden District.
Explore how InterContinental New Orleans stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·