My Honest Review of My Stay at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
I wanted to share my personal experience staying at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in hopes that it helps others make an informed decision before booking.
First, if you book through a third-party website such as Priceline or similar travel sites, be aware that you may still be responsible for additional charges once you arrive at the hotel. In my case, the hotel placed a hold for incidentals and charged for parking separately. Overnight parking costs approximately $55–$65 per night, even if your vehicle is parked for only a couple of hours overnight. I wish this had been made more transparent before my arrival.
When I first checked in, I was assigned a room that had not been cleaned. The staff immediately moved me to another room, which I appreciated. However, the second room had its own issues. The air conditioning was not cooling the room, and during the first night in late July, my sister and I were extremely uncomfortable because of the heat. We later learned that the air conditioning system needed to be activated by hotel staff before it would function properly. Once it was turned on, the room cooled down, but this should have been addressed before guests arrived.
Another issue was the bathtub. The drain was clogged, making it difficult to shower because the water would not drain properly. I reported this to the front desk during my stay.
One issue that raised serious concerns for me involved my reservation and guest information. At the Sheraton, the guest’s name is displayed on the television after check-in. The first day, everything appeared normal. However, when my sister and I returned to our room the following day, the television displayed someone else’s name instead of mine, even though we were still assigned to the same room. This immediately made me question whether my reservation had been mixed up with another guest’s. I became concerned that incidental charges could be billed to the wrong person or that someone else’s charges could mistakenly be applied to my account. More importantly, it raised concerns about the accuracy of the hotel’s guest records and privacy procedures. Thankfully, nothing appeared to be missing from my room, but it was an unsettling experience that should never happen.
I do want to recognize the employees. Every staff member I interacted with was friendly, courteous, and professional. Their customer service reflected the warm hospitality that New Orleans is known for. My concerns are not with the staff themselves but with the condition of the property and the overall guest experience.
Unfortunately, I also found the hotel to be in need of maintenance. The hallways appeared dirty, with stains on the carpet that looked as though liquids had been spilled and not properly cleaned. For a hotel in this price range and under the Marriott brand, I expected much better.
The pool was another disappointment. I understand that weather associated with Hurricane Bertha had affected the area shortly before my arrival. However, I stayed from Thursday through Sunday, and after the weather cleared, the pool still had not been cleaned during my stay.
Overall, I was disappointed because I chose this hotel after reading positive reviews and wanting to experience another Marriott property. In the past, I have stayed at smaller boutique hotels in the French Quarter, including the Pelham Hotel, and had much better experiences.
This review is simply my personal experience. Others may have a different one, but for the price I paid, I do not feel the stay met my expectations. My hope is that the hotel invests in updating and maintaining the property, improves the accuracy of its guest management systems, and becomes more transparent about additional charges for guests booking through third-party travel sites.
If you’re planning to drive into New Orleans, be sure to budget for parking or look into hotel packages that include parking, as those may offer better value.
I hope this review helps someone else make an informed decision before booking.
