Is InterContinental New Orleans worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — InterContinental New Orleans is a solid choice if you want a centrally located, full-service downtown hotel with an on-site rooftop pool, two restaurants, and extensive meeting/event space. It’s especially convenient for visitors who plan to use the St. Charles streetcar or attend conventions and parade events, though expect valet parking fees and a 21+ minimum check-in age.
In this guide
Location & getting around
InterContinental New Orleans is at 444 St. Charles Ave in the Central Business District, on the St. Charles streetcar line and two to three blocks from the French Quarter. That puts the hotel within easy walking or a short streetcar ride of many downtown attractions.
Because it sits directly on the Mardi Gras parade route, the hotel is convenient if you want front-row access to parades. The nearest major airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY); the hotel does not offer an airport shuttle, so plan for taxi, rideshare, or shared shuttle services.
- Address: 444 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
- On the St. Charles streetcar line — single-ride fares apply
- About a 10-minute walk to the French Quarter; riverfront and museums are nearby
| Spot | Approximate access |
|---|---|
| French Quarter | 2–3 blocks; ~10-minute walk or short streetcar ride |
| MSY Airport | No hotel shuttle; about 12 miles by road |
| Streetcar | Stops at the hotel on St. Charles line |
Rooms and suite options
The InterContinental offers a mix of Classic Rooms, Premium Rooms and one-bedroom Suites, with 484 rooms across 14 floors. Standard check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Accessible and mobility rooms are offered; the property also lists specific room names and types for booking. If you need balcony access, request a Premium Room, Balcony or a Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony when booking.
- Standard room types include: Classic Room, 1 King Bed; Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds; Classic Room (Top Floor); Classic Room (Mobility); Premium Room; Premium Room, Balcony
- Suites: Suite, 1 Bedroom and Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony (some suites include living areas and sofa beds)
- Accessible options: Classic Room, Bathtub (Mobility) and other accessible rooms are available
| Room name (exact) | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Classic Room, 1 King Bed | 1 King Bed |
| Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds | 2 Queen Beds |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
On-site amenities: pool, fitness, and services
The hotel has one outdoor rooftop pool on the 15th floor with a sundeck, loungers, changing rooms and shower facilities. Pool hours are listed as daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
A 24-hour fitness center sits near the rooftop pool and offers cardio machines, ellipticals, treadmills and free weights. The property provides free Wi‑Fi throughout guest rooms and public spaces, and 24-hour front desk and concierge services.
- Rooftop pool (15th floor) — open daily 7:00 AM–10:00 PM; no hot tub
- 24-hour fitness center with cardio and free weights — free for guests
- Free Wi‑Fi across the property, changing rooms and shower facilities near pool
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool | 15th floor; sun deck; poolside dining available |
| Fitness center | Open 24 hours; cardio and free weights |
| Wi‑Fi | Complimentary throughout the hotel |
Dining and nightlife on site
InterContinental New Orleans has two main dining venues: Trenasse (contemporary Cajun-Creole/Gulf Coast restaurant with an oyster bar) and Pete’s (an English-style pub serving breakfast, cocktails and lighter fare). A casual outlet named SoifFaim is also listed for light fare and cocktails.
Pete’s offers breakfast service and a cocktail hour; Trenasse serves lunch and dinner with an extensive wine list. Reservations are not needed for Pete’s breakfast or cocktail hour, but Trenasse may be busy during peak dining times.
- Trenasse: contemporary Cajun-Creole, open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (10:00 AM opening on Sundays)
- Pete’s: breakfast 6:30 AM–11:00 AM; evening hours and cocktail service in later afternoon/evening
- Poolside dining is available at the rooftop pool during pool hours
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Trenasse | Lunch & Dinner; oyster bar; wine list |
| Pete’s | Breakfast & cocktails; buffet breakfast available |
| SoifFaim | Light bites and cocktails |
Meetings, weddings and event space
The hotel provides extensive event and meeting facilities — roughly 33,000 square feet of adaptable meeting space and 19 meeting rooms — including the LaSalle (Grand) Ballroom with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking St. Charles Avenue.
The LaSalle Ballroom (Grand Ballroom) expands to a large three-part space and can accommodate several hundred guests; smaller venues such as the Storyville room and the Bywater Board Room offer intimate settings for smaller groups.
- LaSalle (Grand) Ballroom: large ballroom with 21-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows
- About 19 function rooms / roughly 33,000 sq ft of meeting space documented
- Event services and wedding packages are offered through the hotel’s events team
| Space | Typical capacity notes |
|---|---|
| LaSalle Ballroom (Grand Ballroom) | Holds up to several hundred guests; expands to an 8,330–8,335 sq ft three-part ballroom |
| Storyville room | Smaller, intimate wedding/function room |
| Bywater Board Room | VIP board-room setting for ~12 guests |
Pros and cons — who this hotel suits
Pros: central downtown location on the St. Charles streetcar line, rooftop pool and 24-hour fitness center, two on-site restaurants, free Wi‑Fi, and large flexible event space — good for convention attendees, wedding groups, and visitors who want easy access to the French Quarter and parade routes.
Cons: valet parking is charged (with height restrictions) and can add a significant nightly cost; there’s no on-site spa and no airport shuttle. Also note the hotel’s minimum check-in age of 21 for the lead guest.
- Good for: convention delegates, wedding guests, families who want downtown access, visitors attending Mardi Gras parades
- Less ideal for: travelers needing an on-site spa, those who want included meals (breakfast is not automatically included), or guests looking to avoid valet parking fees
| Consider if... | Why |
|---|---|
| You want downtown convenience | Close to French Quarter, streetcar, riverfront and convention venues |
| You need meeting/event space | Extensive ballroom and 19 function rooms available |
| You want no-frills wellness services | Fitness center and rooftop pool are available, but no spa on site |
