Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans: A Beacon of Luxury
The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans represents more than just a hotel opening for the city. For New Orleanians, it’s a symbol of progress and continued recovery, embodied in a 34-story luxury property that towers above the Mississippi River.
Historic Transformation
Originally constructed in 1967 as the International Trade Mart by modernist architect Edward Durell Stone, this landmark tower was more widely recognized as the World Trade Center, a name adopted in 1968. The once-busy office structure remained vacant for a decade before it underwent a remarkable transformation, culminating in a renovation costing over half a billion dollars that spanned three years.
Elegant Design and Dining
The compass-shaped tower features four sections that align with the cardinal directions, a nod to navigating the river. A highlight of the property, the Chandelier Bar, is situated in the lobby where guests can enjoy cocktails beneath a stunning chandelier crafted from 15,000 Bohemian crystals. Bill Rooney of Bill Rooney Studio, the designer behind the hotel’s interiors, notes, “The twinkling, reflective movement of the chandelier introduces a layered ambiance in a space divided by shutter screens made of oak, iron, and curated artwork.”
As expected in New Orleans, the culinary offerings are abundant. The lobby-level restaurant, Miss River, designed by Alexander Waterworth Interiors, features local chef Alon Shaya, known for his establishment, Saba. Signature dishes include a salt-crusted snapper prepared tableside and a whole carved buttermilk-fried chicken, designed for sharing. An innovative “imbibe cart” weaves through the scalloped floor tiling, providing bubbly glasses or after-dinner digestifs.
Luxurious Accommodations
Each of the 341 guest rooms, designed by Bill Rooney Studio, offers a tranquil retreat featuring a light color palette of whites and pale greys. The mid-century modern white-oak furniture complements the shiplap walls, while the beds are appointed with the signature Four Seasons linens adorned with sculpted Magnolia flowers on the wall relief. The Carrara marble bathrooms boast large oval soaking tubs. Rooney explains, “The guest room is inspired by references found in nature, highlighting elements of local culture and patterns typical in New Orleans gardens.”
Opening this fall, the crescent-shaped rooftop swimming pool, beauty atelier spa, and fitness center, along with chef Donald Link’s Chemin a la Mer restaurant, will further enrich the guest experience. For additional information, visit fourseasons.com. Rates for doubles start at $375.
