Review: Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans Bourbon Street 2020

In early February this year, a few weeks before COVID19 exploded across New Orleans, we had the chance to visit for the first time this historic city before getting on a Norwegian western Caribbean cruise (review on the way). I wanted to stay in the heart of the old city right on Bourbon Street. But being a points fan I also wanted a deal.

I booked this stay on points for 25,000 a night. This was before the crazy price jumps with Sheraton becoming “Bonvoyed” by Marriott. I will talk more about the pricing later.

There was some question if our Uber driver was going to be able to get us right to the hotel from the airport, but we were early enough that no streets were blocked off by the time we arrived.

I requested a balcony room if available but was given the top floor one you see highlighted above.

For a classic building, the room was compact but fine.

There were a few interesting features in the room. The outdoor roof drainage ran inside the closet and when it rained you really heard it.

Everything worked fine from TV to the internet. The only “free” perk in the room as an elite guest was two bottles of water.

This is the first time I had ever been in a hotel that earplugs were so prominently provided (very nice, soft 3M plugs, BTW). Would we need them and did they work?

This was the view of Bourbon Street once the sun went down. Then the party got started (every single night). Take a peek at a short video of the nightlife (with our windows closed) and be sure to turn up your sound to get the full experience:

Be ready for the noise if you want a street view room.

The bathroom was compact but clean and functional with unique center split-half doors (did not close very tight but did not matter).

Wall safe is nice to see for those who put faith in them. Now on to the hotel itself.

The concierge desk was empty most of the times we passed by, but the front counter folks were both warm and helpful with any questions about the city we had.

The only other “free” item in the hotel (other than the water in the room) was a self serve coffee cart near the front desk.

Most Four Points by Sheraton include a basic free breakfast. Not this location. We ordered items a la cart and paid about $25 per day. They did provide, with breakfast, complimentary mini donuts each day that were most nummy.

Happy hour at the bar allowed us to sample some local beers (love it when hotels offer this).

It was rather cold in early February during our visit but the pool and the pool area did look very nice.

Bottom line – would we stay at this hotel again? No. Why? While the stay was fine it was nothing over the top and especially so now that the price to stay has exploded to dizzying levels per day (with so little offered).

The other main reason for staying where we did was the hotel was near-ish to the cruise port in New Orleans. If I were again to sail out of the port I would pick one of the hotel within walking distance of the port and yet still plenty close enough to enjoy the perk of the French Quarter. – René