Rhythm of the South Tour – New Orleans.
By Jens Hoffmann.
After a few days in Miami we flew to New Orleans.
Located on a bend of the Mississippi River, New Orleans has been the capital city of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico’s busiest northern port since the early 1700s.
Founded by the French, ruled for 40 years by the Spanish and bought by the United States in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans is known for its distinct Creole culture and vibrant history.
In its last hundred years the key struggles of New Orleans have been poverty, racial strife and natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.
New Orleans’ Carnival traditions have centuries-old roots in French and Spanish Catholicism, as well as African and Native American traditions. The oldest social clubs that host New Orleans’ many Mardi Gras parades and balls were formed before 1860.
Truly an amazing city.
We checked in at the “Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria”, it begins when you stand outside, the place gives you immediatly a great feeling.
This luxury hotel was opened in 1893, later on the hotel was purchased by a group of investors and renamed “The Roosevelt Hotel” (in honor of former US president Theodore Roosevelt) in 1923.
In 1965 it was acquired by Fairmont Hotels.
Although officially renamed “The Fairmont” the hotel continued to be called “The Roosevelt”.
The name – which for nearly a half-century meant the finest luxury accommodations, entertainment and dining, as well as world-famous beverages and celebrities – returned to New Orleans, reborn as a Waldorf Astoria Hotel. From the moment you enter the lobby you feel perfect. The moment you enter the block-long canopy of golden columns and crystal chandeliers, there’s little question that your stay will be anything short of grand. Originally one of the South’s first grand hotels, a $145 million restoration has returned The Roosevelt to its place as the premier luxury hotel in New Orleans. Now a part of the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Collection™, this landmark combines elegant guest rooms, historic dining and entertainment venues, luxurious meeting spaces and new indulgences like Guerlain Spa for a truly legendary experience in the heart of the city.
The Grand Hotel, has 504 rooms and 125 luxury suites, some named for celebrities who once visited the hotel.
All in all it was one of the largest private investments in downtown New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina and one of the most significant projects in years for the city’s hospitality industry.
For generations, New Orleanians and visitors from around the world loved their city not only for the music and the famous Bourbon Street.
There are big cities that are so expensive for entertainment, food, and transportation, but New Orleans, Louisiana, is particularly friendly for those traveling on a budget.
Watch out for Bourbon Street and you will find lot of things to do, eat, and see in New Orleans that won’t bankrupt your vacation, my personal tip:
Just listen to the amazing, quirky street musicians strumming on makeshift.
They called on The Roosevelt because of its reputation for glamour, excitement and comfort, the goal was to return The Roosevelt to its original luster and bring back its fabled splendor.
We enjoyed relaxation at the pool.
The Sazerac Bar, a Roosevelt landmark for decades, again serves its signature Sazerac cocktail and Ramos Gin Fizz – both invented in New Orleans and made popular worldwide by The Roosevelt – among other delights.
Finally, “The Roosevelt” also is known to hotel aficionados the world over as having inspired Arthur Haley’s best-selling 1965 novel “Hotel.” So for literature fans its a must and truly worth it to check in.
My restaurant tip: The “Dragos” Seafood Restaurant
We enjoyed fantastic osyters. The chef de cuisine Drago served them “raw” or “charbroiled”. The charbroiled version was the best one we ever had, first the oysters are filled with butter and garlic. Then it’s time for the next step, the grilling of the oysters, later on Parmesan and Romano Cheese.
Yummy. The Chef de cuisine said: “Mother Nature made the oysters. We just perfected them.”
The single best bite of food in New Orleans.
Info and check-in: The Roosevelt
“Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans”.
Music by Louis Alter, lyrics by Eddie Delange.
New Orleans (1947) by Arthur Lubin, with Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Zutty Singleton, Barney Bigard, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, Red Callender & Charlie Beal.
Actors : Dorothy Patrick, Arturo de Córdova, Richard Hageman.
Photos: Jens Hoffmann
