The hype
Travelers love the walkable location and friendly staff but consistently note the rooms feel tired and need a refresh.
Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Q
$150-250/ night
Book this if You want the French Quarter location without the Bourbon Street hangover, housed in a historic jazz-themed skyscraper.
Why People Love It
- Technically in the CBD but literally across the street from the French Quarter
- Historic 1925 'skyscraper' architecture with unique room layouts
- Tacklebox restaurant on-site serves solid charbroiled oysters and gumbo
Quick Take: A convenient, historic base that's showing its age with peeling wallpaper and thin walls, but the location makes up for the wear.
Reviewed by @WayfaringAimlessly: I stayed here for a mix of work and exploring, and the jazz theme totally won me over. The lobby bar is a whole mood with that brass wall, and finding a vintage rotary phone outside my room was such a fun touch. The bed was super comfy, too.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'historic' charm often translates to peeling wallpaper, pink mold in grout, and noisy elevators.
- You want to be 1 block from Canal Street but sleep in a slightly quieter zone
- You appreciate historic architecture over cookie-cutter modern boxes
- You need a decent on-site gym and a quick breakfast option
Cleanliness & Maintenance
7.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is generally reliable, but guests report missed dust in corners and under beds.
- Bathroom hygiene: A recurring weak point: reports of pink mold in grout and peeling wallpaper due to humidity.
- Maintenance: Showing age. Peeling paint, scuffed furniture, and worn carpets are common complaints.
- Linens & towels: Standard Marriott quality—clean and crisp, though some towels feel a bit thin.
- Odors & scents: Lobby is heavily scented; some rooms have a lingering musty or damp smell.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Elevator mechanical noise (especially in rooms ending in xx01)
- Hallway conversations due to thin doors
- Neighboring room TV/voices
Before you book
Good to know
- The 'Destination Fee' includes WiFi and some minor perks, but it's mandatory
- Valet is expensive; the Pere Marquette Garage at 817 Common St offers self-parking rates if you pay directly
- Check-in is 4:00 PM, which is strictly enforced during busy weekends
What to pack
- White noise machine or earplugs for the thin walls
- Slippers (carpets can feel a bit worn)
- Umbrella (NOLA weather is unpredictable)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Executive King rooms for slightly more space
- High-floor rooms away from the elevator bank for better views and less noise
Rooms to avoid
- Rooms ending in '01' (specifically Room 901) - directly adjacent to noisy elevator shafts
- Lower floor rooms facing Common St if you're sensitive to city hum
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am a light sleeper and would appreciate a room on a high floor, as far away from the elevator bank as possible (please avoid rooms ending in 01).”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a resort fee?
Yes, a daily 'Destination Fee' of approximately $23.35 + tax is added to the room rate.
How much is parking?
Valet parking is around $56/night. Self-parking is available at the adjacent Pere Marquette Garage for ~$40-55/day depending on duration.
Is the pool open year-round?
Yes, there is a heated outdoor pool, but it's small and more for a quick dip than a resort swim.
How close is Bourbon Street?
Ideally close: it's about 2 blocks away, so you can walk there in 5 minutes but sleep away from the direct chaos.
Does the hotel offer free breakfast?
No, but there is a coffee shop (New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co.) and restaurant (Tacklebox) on-site.
Is it pet-friendly?
No, pets are generally not allowed at this specific property.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Skip the hotel breakfast and walk 2 mins to Majoria's Commerce Restaurant for the best biscuits in the CBD.
- ✨
The 'New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co.' in the lobby is convenient but often has a long line; walk to a local cafe instead.
- ✨
Ask for a 'quiet room' note on your reservation; the front desk knows which rooms suffer most from the elevator noise.
5 things to know before you go
💡The elevators can be slow and sound like a 'freight train' in adjacent rooms.
💡Windows are often painted shut or sealed aggressively, so no fresh air.
💡The 'historic' status means some rooms have odd shapes or pillars in the middle.
💡Bathroom grout often has persistent pink mold issues due to humidity and age.
💡The lobby scent is heavily perfumed to mask the old-building smell.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Q is located and what's nearby.