Scene
Set between the French Quarter and the Central Business District, it’s a welcoming spot for work or leisure travelers.
The vibe of the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is more laid back than you might expect from a hotel this close to Bourbon Street. The hotel’s entrance on Tchoupitoulas Street (pronounce it chop-it-ou-luss if you don’t want to sound like a tourist) will lead you to a lobby with a coffee shop, restaurant and velvety bar. This lobby is on the small side. There are a few areas with tall, rattan-backed chairs, but that’s about it. Most guests tend to congregate elsewhere, like the bar or the well-stocked coffee shop, which is perfect for banging out some laptop work. The exception is during Kimpton’s nightly social hours, when guests gather in the entry area that is basically a pared-back Anthropologie store. Don’t expect it to get rowdy, though, even during the social hours. As mentioned, it’s pretty chill and expect a crowd of business travelers and older, leisure travelers who may have visited the city before. And, in case you were wondering, the hotel takes its name from Canray Fontenot, a local Creole fiddle player who toured all over and even played at the famed Newport Folk Festival.
Location
Right off the streetcar line, the hotel is a short ride from everything.
The Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is a short walk from many of the restaurants and attractions of the French Quarter and Riverfront, but you’ll have no problem going further afield either. The Canal, St. Charles and Riverfront streetcar lines are nearby as are the bus stops (though the bus is notoriously unreliable in New Orleans). The ferry to Algiers Point is also close. The best way to ride is by downloading the Le Pass app in advance, which allows you to buy a multi-day pass for as many rides as you want.
While you’re here, here are some places close to the hotel to check out. For our guide to New Orleans, see this.
- Folks line up early for Mothers Restaurant, a famous po’ boy spot right across Poydras Street.
- Walk a block further down Tchop and you’ll hit Restaurant August, a white tablecloth Creole spot.
- On the same block as the hotel is Nina Compton’s Compere Lapin, which has received acclaim for its Caribbean and Creole influenced food. Get the biscuits.
- Speaking of biscuits, it’s hard to beat brunch at Willa Jean, a Southern comfort food restaurant and bakery that won over the city with its cornbread, fried chicken, and cookies and milk.
- If you’re looking for the gems of the French Quarter, you won’t have to go far. Canal Street, one of the outer boundaries of the Quarter, is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Along the way, stop by Jackson Square, Preservation Hall, and take a tour of Sazerac House, which covers the original New Orleans pharmacy-made cocktail.
- You could easily spend hours touring the National World War II Museum. It’s the most you’ll ever learn about the war in a single day and the food here is good, too.
- Harrah’s Casino is also down the street from the hotel if you’re feeling lucky.
- Get your taste of the neon-colored daiquiris in souvenir containers, then move on to the city’s cocktail bars that highlight New Orleans’s past and present. There’s nowhere quite like the French 75 Bar, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, which showcases the champagne-based drink. For something a bit closer, check out Bar Marilou, a European-inspired aperitivo bar with decadent, red walls and a surprisingly cheap happy hour.
Rooms
Chic minimalism and a wide range of room sizes.
Guest rooms are sleek, with black and white furnishings.Beds typically have caned and metal headboards complimented by pops of color on accent chairs and pillows. Linens are the luxurious Frette brand and the rooms have Bluetooth speakers, mini bars, televisions, Atelier Bloem toiletries and plush bathrobes.
Room types at the hotel include:
- One King Bed: These rooms are 300 to 315 square feet, either with city views or interior facing views. There’s also an accessible version with lowered basins, grab bars and emergency call cords.
- Two Queen Beds: The rooms are the same in size as the King rooms, but contain two queen-sized beds instead of one. There’s also an accessible version.
- One King Premium City View: Slightly larger, the 450-square-foot room has the extra space you may need for your stay. There’s also a two queen bed iteration.
- One King Premium: The largest of the standard rooms, it has the same amenities, but in 530 square feet.
- One Bedroom Suite: The suites start at around 560 square feet, with separate living space and a king-sized bed with the option for an accessible room.
- One Bedroom Suite Spa: Although slightly smaller than the standard suite, this room has a deep soaking tub for post-revelry relaxation.
- Boudreaux Suite: The 494 square-foot suite is the smallest of the suite options, but has a king-sized bed and a living area with a sofa bed.
- Beche Suite: Enjoy the same amenities as the other suites with 581 square feet, plus a soaking bathtub.
- Fiddle and Battiste Suites: These two options are close in size, 778 and 780 square feet respectively, and share the same perks, including corner locales.
- Presidential Suite & Parlor: If you really want to go all out, the 973 square-foot space is the best in the hotel. It’s on the top floor and includes a King sized bed, pullout sofa, large seating area and dining table that can hold eight guests, two bathrooms, and a wet bar. If you need more space, this room also connects to a two queen room.
Amenities
Kimpton’s best offerings, with a local twist.
You get everything you love about a Kimpton hotel, including the social hour with local craft beer. There’s free coffee in the mornings, plus two collaborations with Anthropologie, one that allows guests to rent accessories and another that lets you request a plant for your room. Free WiFi and yoga mats come with the rooms. Bike rentals (be warned: NOLA streets are riddled with potholes big enough to swallow a horse) and 24-hour access to the fitness center and also available. Valet parking is $49 per night.
Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats
Guests get free drip coffee in the mornings, but if you need an afternoon cappuccino, you can grab it here, where both guests and locals work on their laptops. There’s also a nice selection of pastries and other morning bites like a breakfast burrito and a ham and cheese croissant. You can even get a tipple, like the frozen Irish coffee, to take with you.
King Brasserie
The hotel’s flagship restaurant takes its inspiration from both the French influences of Louisiana and the Mediterranean coast. Entering the space, you’re greeted with famous “Kings,” a gallery wall of portraits with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Stephen King, Elvis Presley and King Kong. There are two dining spaces, with tables and rounded leather booths, and a bar, decked out with Mardi Gras-style king and queen crowns. The bread service is house-made focaccia and brioche and try the crawfish beignets and King Carbonara, made with bottarga and sea urchin.
The Peacock Room
The Peacock Room feels like an enclosed courtyard, with dramatic velvet chairs, mosaic-tiled floors and the namesake stuffed peafowl. At the bar, you’ll find New Orleans classics like a Sazerac and Hurricane alongside zero proof and house-crafted cocktails. The bar is also open for dinner and brunch as well as for happy hour and weekly live music.
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FAQs
Which airport is closet to this New Orleans hotel?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is 15 miles from the hotel.
What’s the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot’s address?
501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
What is the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot’s phone number?
(504) 571 1818
In what neighborhood is the hotel located?
Downtown New Orleans Art’s District.
When is check-in at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot?
Check-in is 4:00 pm and check-out is 11:00 am.
What are the amenities?
This 4-star hotel IHG hotel offers free bikes, fitness center, lounge, restaurant, free WiFi in guest rooms and common areas, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, dry cleaning and laundry service and more. Room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
How far is Audubon Aquarium of the Americas from the hotel?
This aquarium is within walking distance (0.2 miles away).
How far is the hotel from Morial Convention Center?
Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is .6 mile from Morial Convention Center.
How far is the Superdome from Kimpton Hotel Fontenot?
The Superdome is .9 mile from the hotel.
Is the hotel pet friendly?
Yes.
Does the hotel offer express check-in/check-out?
Yes.
Is there a ATM on site?
Yes.
In what neighborhood is the hotel located?
Downtown New Orleans Art’s District.
What’s near the hotel?
It’s walking distance to the Aquarium of the Americas, Harrah’s Casino, the Warehouse District and more.