
InterContinental New Orleans
Best for business travelers, meetings, and guests who want a smoke-free, slightly quieter base steps from the streetcar line.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
InterContinental New Orleans is a large, smoke-free hotel on historic St. Charles Avenue in the Central Business District, good for business travelers and families who want a quieter base a few blocks from the French Quarter. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a large upscale Bourbon Street hotel in the French Quarter, aimed at travelers who want to be right on Bourbon Street and in the middle of nightlife.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for business travelers, meetings, and guests who want a smoke-free, slightly quieter base steps from the streetcar line.

Best for visitors who want to stay directly on Bourbon Street with immediate access to nightlife, restaurants, and French Quarter sights.
InterContinental New Orleans wins when you want a business-friendly, smoke-free hotel with large meeting rooms, a rooftop pool, and a slightly calmer location on St. Charles Avenue with ready streetcar access to the rest of the city.
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans wins when you want to be in the middle of French Quarter nightlife — it puts you steps from Bourbon Street, multiple on-site bars and restaurants, and lots of French Quarter activity outside the door.
Bottom line: pick InterContinental for meetings, families, and a polished CBD stay; pick The Royal Sonesta for a classic French Quarter, Bourbon Street–front experience and walking access to the Quarter’s nightlife.
| Category | InterContinental New Orleans | The Royal Sonesta New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Business-friendly, polished CBD hotel | Lively French Quarter Bourbon Street hotel |
| Location | On St. Charles Ave; 2–3 blocks from the French Quarter; on streetcar line | On Bourbon Street in the French Quarter; steps from Bourbon Street and near Jackson Square |
| Size | 484 rooms across 14 floors | 483 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 for lead guest | All ages welcome (not adults-only); minimum check-in age listed as 21 on some listings |
| Pools | One outdoor rooftop pool (15th floor) with sundeck; no spa on-site | One outdoor pool plus poolside bar; pool hoist and wheelchair-accessible pool |
| Restaurants & bars | Two on-site restaurants: Trenasse (Cajun-Creole) and Pete’s (pub/breakfast); poolside service available | Multiple on-site dining options including 2 restaurants, coffee shop, 2 bars/lounges and poolside bar |
| Spa & wellness | 24-hour fitness center; no on-site spa | 24-hour fitness center; spa/health or beauty services available nearby (not necessarily on-site) |
| Known for | Large meeting and event space (multiple ballrooms) and parade-route frontage on St. Charles | Prime Bourbon Street address and nightlife access; large conference space (≈20,000 sq ft) |
| Smoking policy | Entirely smoke-free | |
| Accessibility | 10 accessible rooms and wheelchair-accessible parking and paths | Wheelchair-accessible facilities (pool lift, accessible restaurant and meeting spaces) |
InterContinental sits on historic St. Charles Avenue in the Central Business District, a short walk/streetcar ride from the French Quarter.
A convenient CBD base with easy transit to the French Quarter and convention sites.
The Royal Sonesta is located on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, putting you in the middle of nightlife and sights.
Choose this if you want immediate access to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter’s daytime and nighttime activity.
InterContinental offers a long list of named room types across 14 floors, including multiple classic and premium options and suites.
Big hotel with a wide range of room types for families, business travelers, and guests needing accessible rooms.
The Royal Sonesta lists 483 individually decorated guestrooms, with standard guestroom amenities.
A large French Quarter property with traditionally styled guest rooms and standard in-room comforts.
InterContinental’s on-site restaurants focus on Cajun-Creole and pub-style dining.
Good on-site options for local cuisine and classic pub fare without leaving the hotel.
The Royal Sonesta offers multiple dining and drinking outlets, including two restaurants and several bars.
More on-site nightlife-friendly dining and bar options, useful if you plan to stay close to the hotel in the evenings.
InterContinental’s signature amenity is its 15th-floor outdoor rooftop pool with a sundeck.
A rooftop pool that suits guests who want a quieter place to relax after business or sightseeing.
The Royal Sonesta’s defining on-property feature is its immediate Bourbon Street location and multiple bars close by.
Pick this for direct Bourbon Street access rather than a tranquil pool scene.
InterContinental covers basic wellness needs and focuses on meetings and events.
A solid choice for fitness, conferences, weddings, and guests who prefer a calmer evening.
The Royal Sonesta provides 24-hour business facilities plus direct nightlife access.
Better for travelers who expect to use on-site nightlife or who want to step directly into Bourbon Street action.

InterContinental — far larger configurable meeting space and a grand ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows on St. Charles.

The Royal Sonesta — literally on Bourbon Street, with bars and a nightclub steps from guestrooms.

InterContinental — smoke-free, on St. Charles with a rooftop pool and family-friendly services.

The Royal Sonesta — stay here if you want immediate access to Bourbon Street and French Quarter walking routes.
InterContinental — it has much larger and more configurable meeting and ballroom space suitable for conferences and weddings.
The Royal Sonesta — it sits on Bourbon Street, while the InterContinental is a few blocks away on St. Charles Avenue.
Both have outdoor pools. InterContinental’s rooftop pool is quieter and family-friendly; The Royal Sonesta’s pool is set within the lively French Quarter hotel environment.
InterContinental and The Royal Sonesta both offer breakfast options; both list cooked-to-order or buffet breakfast for an additional fee in supplier notes.
Explore how InterContinental New Orleans stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·