My husband and I and the other couple we were traveling with frequent the Ritz Club Level in Battery Park New York. Us about 3 times a year, them about 6-8 times a year. We love it there, the concierge is helpful, the staff in the lounge willing to get you anything, housekeeping impeccable. This is not the case at the Maison Orleans aka the Ritz New Orleans Club Level.

First the Good.

The rooms were beautiful, much nicer than the ones at Battery Park and the tub is HUGE. You could probably fit 3 people in there. The club lounge is also nicer and more elegant than Battery Park. The gym that is shared by the Ritz, the Maison and Iberville Suites is the best hotel gym I have ever used.

The complimentary food in the lounge was good, especially at lunch and hors douvers. Dessert was always fondue, which got old after a while.

Now the Bad.

When we arrived there was no one to help us with our bags or through the maze of elevators required to get to the lobby. We arrived at 10:30 am and we knew that we probably wouldn't be able to check in right away, even though we had requested early check in. They said our rooms would be ready by 1:30 which was fine, but they were not ready until after 4. (normal check in time is 3).

Most of the staff in the lounge at the Maison Orleans did not seem to understand anything that was said and consequently, requests to restock items like sodas, glasses, plates, crackers, etc were often ignored. If you got coffee in the lounge after 12 pm it was always lukewarm and had bits of coffee ground in it. The cocktails were all from a self serve bar which I thought was a little strange, but didn't mind. But if there was something that you had to ask for, like beer which they had in the back, the staff seemed annoyed that they had to get it for you.

Now the Ugly.

Housekeeping was awful. I cannot believe that the Ritz would let this happen. Our room was only cleaned 2 of the 5 days we were there and we were always out of the room between 10 and 4 so there is no excuse. We came back only to change for dinner and then were back out again. Turndown was only done 3 of the 5 nights and even then they only pulled the duvet cover over the sheets. They didn't even bother to straighten out the sheets underneath or restock any of the toiletries or towels. The couple we were traveling with came back to their room to find coffee poured into the sink without being rinsed out.

I would save your money, stay at a cheaper hotel and spend more money out in the smalls shops and restaurants where it is needed. New Orleans is a great town, and I would definitely return, just not to the Maison Orleans.

We stayed at the Ritz's Maison Orleans for a four day weekend getaway seeking fun and relaxation. The accomodations were very nice, but the service...not so much. Staying on the club level of a Ritz, maybe I had high expectations, but for the $370 per night price, I should. The complimentary snacks and drinks were nice, but when asked about tours or things to do, we were given a bunch of brochures and sent on our way. Dinner reservations, the same, no help provided. The worst was the spa experience. We were very much looking forward to a nice spa day, but from the start it was a disaster. The spa employees were rude to say the least. After almost two hours of waiting for a massage sitting in a robe (after the conceirge made a mistake on the time of the appointment) I was told that yet again there was a mistake and I had no appointment scheduled. My husband had a similar experience with scheduling and although he was finally able to have a massage, he wasn't impressed with the service. After complaining about the experience we were told that no spa charge would be billed to us, but it was...of course. The house keeping was a bit annoying too since they slammed doors in the hallway all morning and spoke so loudly we were abruptly awakened each morning of our stay. Overall the experience at the Ritz was not relaxing and left so much to be desired. We haven't stayed anywhere else in NO since this was our first trip and most likely last.

Being from New Orleans, my husband and I had the traditional French Quater/New Orleans wedding and the Maison Orleans assisted in completing a fairytale evening for us. It started when they agreed to use their hotel car to pick us up from our reception in the heart of the French Quarter and it ended with them bringing us to the airport two days later for our honeymoon flight.
After my husband carried me over the threshold, he started to look around and did not see the Champagne that was suppose to make it to our room; however, we had passed it when we came in the door with me in his arms! It was perfectly chilled and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries sat next to it! Little did we know, but both water and champagne are a staple in the Maison Orleans!
The room was large and decorated in a warm ellegant style with wood floors throughout the room. The bathroom was extremely large and nice (there are candles in the bathroom, so grab som matches!).
There are 4 different food displays for you to help yourself on the main level. There are soft drinks, water, wine and champagne all the time. If you want coffee and it is not displayed, just ask and it will be brought to you in no time flat! There are games to play in the study if you want to stretch your legs from your room without going to the main part of the hotel or going outside.
My husband checked our bill on the television and there was a discrepency with it, so he called and they changed it immediately! He informed the man at the front desk that we had a late afternoon flight and they gave us a 2pm check out. The man at the front desk found us having a snack and asked if we would like a going away box of goodies because we had a long international flight and that way we would not have to eat plane food.
The car picked us up for the airport on time and the driver had 2 bottles of water waiting in the center console! From beginning to end, they were wonderful. It was definately worth every penny!!!!

We stayed an entire weekend at the Maison Orleans.. and what can i say.. SENSATIONAL...
I got a great deal for around 280 dollars per night... and the valet was kind enough to give us free parking for the entire stay...
Combine that with the ' yummy buffet style nibblies' served 5 times a day.. including wine.... its a great deal

The staff were above helpful... very friendly.. nothing was too much trouble...

The rooms are top quality.. the baths OMG... two people can lay down in them.... and the beds and linens were the most comfotable i have experienced in a hotel....

Do yourself a favor.... stay at the maison orleans... it wont disappoint