In the Central Business District, the NOPSI Hotel New Orleans offers old-world charm with modern amenities. Its location, steps from Canal Street, gives guests convenient access to the French Quarter, the National World War II Museum, the Audubon Aquarium and more.
Built in 1927, the NOPSI Hotel New Orleans is the former New Orleans Public Service Inc., which relocated in 1980. Renovated and restored, it opened as a hotel in 2017 and underwent an additional renovation in 2022.
NOPSI Hotel New Orleans is a Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. With many original details, guests enter a regal space with vaulted ceilings, brass accents, cast iron rails and ornamental columns. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.
What I Loved at the NOPSI
The historic Lobby kept its gracious lines with modern amenities
Henry’s Gin Lobby Bar
The Rooftop Pool
What I Wanted at the NOPSI
Freshen Up the Outdoor Furnishings
Daily Housekeeping
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Gathering Spaces at the NOPSI
The NOPSI Hotel New Orleans features an expansive lobby that spans much of the ground floor. This space affords ample space for socializing either at its bespoke bar or in its furniture groupings.
The renovated space offers an industrially elegant vibe with local art, paired with timeless furnishings in a palette of celestial blue, rich woods and terrazzo floors, covered in area rugs. There’s a grand piano in the corner.
Guests will find original items from the building’s former life, like the deposit table with customer forms from a different era. The double-vaulted ceiling, paired with Corinthian-topped columns, divides the lobby into vignettes.
Henry’s Gin Lobby Bar is named after Henry Ramos, the inventor of the quintessential Ramos Gin Fizz. The blue light backlit bar includes tufted details on its half-moon bar skirt. Stocked with both top-shelf liquors and an espresso maker, it’s the place for weekend barista drinks or a Happy Hour Espresso Martini.
There’s an oversized outdoor furnished patio, the Henry’s Gin Yard. The space is off the lobby, and includes umbrellas and bistro tables, paired with settees. It can be used as an event space.
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My Room at the NOPSI
The NOPSI Hotel New Orleans features 216 rooms with 60 spacious suites. From its standard king room to its expansive ninth-floor penthouse suite with 1,100 square feet, including a wraparound outdoor terrace.
My room, 718, located on the seventh floor, is a Deluxe Double Queen Suite with 642 square feet. The guest floors are quiet and feature seating vignettes off the lobby.
As you enter from the indoor corridor, guests will find a console table, paired with a bench. This space can be used to put on shoes, store incidentals or even used as a vanity bench, conveniently located just outside the bathroom.
The sitting area features oversized furniture in sterling-colored upholstery with midnight accent pillows. This area includes an occasional chair in midnight fabric with a contrasting lumbar pillow. Guests will find a square cocktail table and a large wall-mounted TV opposite the seating area for a separate lounging space in the suite.
The multi-use table houses the in-room beverage station with a single-serve coffee maker, outfitted with Community Coffee, a local favorite, and complimentary waters. Guests will find a mini-fridge.
For those working, there’s task lighting, a multi-port charging unit and an upholstered chair. The TV is mounted above this space. My suite boasts locally inspired art, like landscapes of the Garden District, located nearby.
The two queen beds feature upholstered headboards in an earthy flax fabric with walnut-colored wood furniture with classic lines. The high thread count white linens are accented by coordinating shams and a decorative bolster in contrasting fabric.
In the corner of the suite, guests will discover an occasional chair with an accent table. The room offers ample light, strong Wifi and ample charging options, both USB and North American electrical outlets.
My Bathroom
The oversized bathroom sparkles with veined wheat-colored marble on the double sink vanity in rich wood. The bathroom suite features a glass-enclosed shower with white subway tile on the walls and marble flooring.
This space is light-filled and features a large mirror, paired with a vanity mirror. The bathroom even boasts locally inspired art.
There’s a dressing table outside of bathroom. The closet offers the essentials, like an in-room safe, an iron and board and Terry robes.
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Dining at the NOPSI
The NOPSI offers a full-service restaurant with an adjoining bar. There’s an old world-inspired lobby bar, plus a rooftop space with a pool and bar.
Off the lobby, the Public Service restaurant features a friendly vibe, with a locally inspired, chef-driven menu. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Its accompanying bar is lively in the evenings.
It features a chef-driven menu with locally inspired entrees. I started with its Crawfish Hushpuppies, with chunks of pink crawfish meat. The Gulf seafood special and Southern Fried Chicken were also excellent.
With a seasonal menu, Public Service keeps it fresh for dinner. However, I found Flounder, Ribeyes and Shrimp and Grits on the menu. Save room for dessert, it serves classics, like Key Lime Pie.
The Public Service serves breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week. Brunch and dinner are the norm on the weekends. Steps away, the Public Service Bar is lively in the afternoons and evenings, especially during Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. during the week. It offers inventive mocktails too.
Roof Top Pool at the NOPSI
Above the Grid bar is the place for an afternoon cocktail. The NOPSI boasts a rooftop pool and patio.
Overlooking the Central Business District, this space features seating vignettes, loungers and day beds. This is also used as an event space.
Event Spaces at the NOPSI Hotel New Orleans
From sparkling weddings to meeting break-out sessions, the NOPSI offers dramatic event space. For special events, the Dryades Ballroom includes 30-foot ceilings and arched Palladian windows.
The Grand Ballroom is a 4,000-square-foot space that accommodates 350 people. The PS Reserve is located above the hotel’s restaurant and includes floor-to-ceiling windows.
The NOPSI offers in-room dining. Drivers can use the property’s 24-hour valet parking (additional fee). There is a 24-hour fitness center. Pets are welcome. This property is smoke-free (including vaping).
Located at 317 Barone St., New Orleans.
This property hosted the writer. This article contains affiliate links.
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