Accor’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has opened Fairmont New Orleans in Louisiana, marking the iconic hotel’s return to the city after two decades, the France-based hospitality company announced in a news release. The property also represents Fairmont’s 100th hotel globally.
Located at 1010 Common St. in the central business district near the French Quarter, the 250-room luxury hotel occupies 17 of the 31 stories in the former Bank of New Orleans building, originally designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill in 1970, per the release. Kailas Cos. developed Fairmont New Orleans.
According to Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the property showcases “meticulous design, spirited gastronomy, and exceptional spaces created for connection.”
“Celebrating Fairmont’s landmark 100th hotel in New Orleans is a moment of perfect alignment,” Acar said in a statement. “This is a city built on the very poetry of celebration, culture, and hospitality, setting the ultimate stage for such a historic milestone.”
Fairmont New Orleans features more than 19,000 square feet of meetings and events space, including nine primary venues, according to the release. Dining concepts were developed in partnership with chef Emeril Lagasse and The Emeril Group, including The Café by Emeril and the New Orleans debut of Delmonico Steakhouse.
Coming to the hotel this December is Fairmont Gold, which is Fairmont’s signature “hotel-within-a-hotel” experience on the 29th and 30th floors, featuring a private lounge overlooking the Mississippi River and a concierge service. Also opening next month is a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant along with a 10,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
New York-based Rockwell Group led the property’s interior design, which draws inspiration from the 1970s oil boom era with mid-century references and features local craftsmanship woven throughout, per Accor. The hotel’s lobby, meanwhile, serves as the property’s social hub and “cultural living room” for guests and locals alike.
Guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping city views and custom artwork that references New Orleans’ history. In-room amenities include Le Labo Rose 31 bath products, Nespresso machines and minibars stocked with locally sourced items.
Fairmont first announced plans for the New Orleans property in early 2024. At the time, the hotel was slated for a summer 2025 opening.
The hotel debuts after luxury and upper upscale hotel brands outperformed all other segments in the first half of the year. During an earnings call last month, Accor reported it saw strong growth in the third quarter, driven by performance in its luxury and lifestyle division.
At this year’s Lodging Conference in Phoenix, hospitality leaders said luxury hotels with thoughtful programming and quality service will stand out in the evolving luxury hospitality space.
Accor operates 5,600 hotels across 110-plus countries, according to the release. It operates about 380 hotels in the luxury segment and more than 200 lifestyle hotels, per its website.
