Royal Sonesta, New Orleans

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a large hotel at 300 Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. It has wrought-iron balconies, a courtyard with a heated pool and more than 20,000 square feet of event space.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

GLW recommends the Royal Sonesta for couples who want a wedding in the heart of the French Quarter with a hotel team behind them. The staff can coordinate catering, entertainment, transport, photography, flowers and beauty services before the ceremony. That is helpful if you are marrying away from home and want one point of contact.

Ceremonies

The hotel offers its French Quarter courtyard, wrought-iron balconies and private rooms as wedding settings. Smaller ceremonies and elopements can work well in the Bourbon Balcony Hospitality Suites, which face Bourbon, Conti and Bienville Streets. The hotel also has private rooms that suit bridal showers and brunches, so you can plan the whole weekend in one place.

Receptions and food

There are 20 meeting rooms. The largest room is 5,000 square feet and can host receptions for up to 600 people. The Bourbon Balcony Hospitality Suites host receptions for 10 to 175 guests. Dining on site includes Restaurant R'evolution, which serves modern Cajun and Creole food, and Desire Oyster Bar. The hotel also has a jazz club, the Jazz Playhouse.

Staying

Guest rooms and suites mix contemporary and traditional styles. The Bourbon Balcony Hospitality Suites range from one to four bedrooms. Accessible rooms and suites are available. Other facilities include a heated courtyard pool and a fitness center. Guests can reach several bars and restaurants without leaving the building. The hotel states that its team can arrange pre-ceremony beauty services, which helps if you want hair and makeup done on site.

Getting there and the area

Jackson Square and the French Market are about 0.4 miles away. Streetcars run on Canal Street, two blocks from the hotel. There is an underground garage between Conti and Bienville Streets, although there is no airport shuttle.

Good to know

• Mobility-accessible and hearing-accessible suites are available.
• The hotel runs periodic wedding booking offers, so ask what applies to your date.
• Valet and garage parking are available.