New Orleans is always a hot travel destination, and the Big Easy’s best stay is hands down NOPSI Hotel. Situated in the Central Business District, the AAA Four Diamond hotel opened in 2017 and is housed in the former New Orleans Public Service Inc. headquarters (hence the name). The historic structure is on the National Register of Historic Places and was reimagined as a luxury inn by Woodward Design + Build. Today, it’s home to 217 expansive guest rooms, an awe-inspiring restored grand lobby, an eatery serving NOLA-inspired fare, a beckoning rooftop pool and bar, 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and more. Here are 5 reasons we can’t get enough of NOPSI.
Photography provided by NOPSI
The Location
First things first: Let’s chat location. NOPSI is situated on Baronne Street, just a short jaunt from the French Quarter — so guests can enjoy attractions like busy Bourbon and Royal streets without having to put up with throngs of tourists. The shops and restaurants of the neighboring Garden and Warehouse districts are also all within reach.
The Grand Lobby
Can we talk about that lobby? Upon entering the hotel, it’s hard not to stop and stare. It’s here that the history of the building really comes alive, with 21-foot-high vaulted ceilings, sparkling chandeliers and stone terrazzo flooring. To one side sits Henry’s Gin Bar, which serves up light snacks and creative libations starting in the afternoon. To the other side is plush seating, a prime spot for admiring the grand lobby’s splendor.
The Rooms
NOPSI boasts 217 guest rooms (including 76 suites) that range in size from 350 to 1,100 square feet. Our pick? The Deluxe Suite, which boasts a king or two queen beds, a spa-like bathroom, and a comfy living room parlor replete with sofa, chair and television. Of course it’s hard not to be drawn to the aptly named Power Suite, which is situated on the ninth floor and boasts a large outdoor terrace for taking in the views; plus a second bedroom is available for those needing more than the suite’s 1,100 square feet.
The Rooftop Pool and Bar
It’s dubbed Above the Grid, and it offers year-round views of the surrounding cityscape (including the nearby Mercedes-Benz Superdome) as well as a cabana-flanked pool, and a smart bar serving up cocktails and shareable snacks. On Sundays, the hotel opens up the pool to locals with its Sunday Swim Society, complete with a DJ spinning tunes. It’s considered one of the best entertainment venues in the city.
The Restaurant
Public Service is the name, and serving up NOLA-inspired fare is the game. The ever-evolving menu promises to honor the Gulf Coast’s hard-working fishermen and farmers with dishes like scallion hush puppies, signature gumbo, a seafood tower, Gulf catch étouffée, and Louisiana shrimp and grits. The eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a “power hour” weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
