The Hotel Modern
With details such as complimentary welcome drinks, C.O. Bigelow bath amenities and thoughtfully curated books in every cozy room, the Hotel Modern wants guests to feel as if they were staying at a friend’s house. That is, a very cool, culturally plugged-in girlfriend’s house. Its 135 rooms were designed with a modern eclectic point of view mirroring New Orleans’ juxtaposition of Old World charm and New World diversity. Modern, yet comfortable furnishings mingle with antiques, works from local painter Ellen Macomber and views of Lee Circle and Uptown. Room service comes from Tivoli & Lee, a farm-to-table restaurant worthy of consideration for rehearsal dinners or a post-wedding cocktail brunch. Bellocq, the attached cocktail lounge, specializes in cobblers, the precursor to cocktails, which combine wine, liqueurs, fruit and herbs.
The Hotel Modern, 936 St. Charles Ave., 962-0900, thehotelmodern.com
Le Méridien
After a $29 million renovation and rebranding, the new Le Méridien New Orleans (previously W New Orleans) blends contemporary design, the brand’s French heritage and city-specific details, such as cartography covering elevator doors and Louis Armstrong quotes nestled in wallpaper patterns. The 410 guest rooms include 22 suites with a Champagne-and-tobacco palette, fainting couches placed in front of windows and steamer-trunk minibars. Le Méridien has created a refined atmosphere at a slight remove from the bustle of the French Quarter. The lobby is designed for socializing, lubricated by coffee during the day and wine at night. A rooftop pool and cabanas provide the perfect oasis for wedding-party bonding.
Le Méridien, 333 Poydras St., 525-9444, lemeridienneworleanshotel.com.
