The Blackbird Hotel, New Orleans: REVIEW
Blackbird, fly...a new boutique hotel in the Lower Garden District
The Blackbird Hotel, New Orleans
Review by Paul Oswell
With the Downtown hotel market in New Orleans fairly well saturated, over the last decade or so there’s been a refreshing movement of boutique hotels opening outside of the French Quarter and CBD. Interesting places to stay, in architecturally-interesting properties, include a wave of relatively new arrivals such as Hotel Peter & Paul (Marigny, opened in 2018) and Hotel Saint Vincent (Garden District, 2021).
Within the last year or so, Dreamscape Hospitality has also opened both The Garden District Hotel and The Blackbird Hotel, the latter of which I had a chance to stay at a couple of weeks ago.The Blackbird is a converted, centuries-old former children’s home and more recently a forgettable hotel called the Prytania Oaks. It has been completely refurbished, and is now a 13-room, boutique-style hotel with an open-air courtyard, pool, lobby and pool bars, and the Blackbird Café, serving local Cherry Coffee Roasters drinks.
This new generation slips into neighborhoods stealthily. They mostly assume the aesthetics of their forerunners - churches, children's homes, etc - and since they’re typically not large hotels nor corporate outposts of Marriott or Hilton, the branding and their very presence can be subtle and unintrusive.
This is especially true for The Blackbird, which I completely walked past the first time I arrived, although to be fair, it was dusk. There’s an immediate discretion to the place, though. Its entrance is unassuming and tasteful, and the bijoux size instantly creates a pleasing sense of intimacy.
It’s later in the day than I intended to check in but the helpful, friendly young man at the front desk is keen to see that all my potential needs are met. After I’m settled and come back down in search of food, he also serves me a drink at the lobby bar AND delivers my room service supper, a competent and professional multi-tasker if ever I saw one.
There’s a stylish seam of Southern Gothic about the place. The dark woods, muted interior lighting and black exterior came into their own given that as I was staying just before Halloween. It’s an evocative look, with hints of Victoriana and striking local artworks around the public spaces. A couple of cosy nooks and crannies can be found just off the lobby, on your way to the pool and outdoor bar area.
As with most conversions of older buildings in the city, the character of the place is maintained by keeping the bones intact. The period-adjacent rooms enjoy different layouts and give the interiors some variety. My junior suite was bright and airy, with a contemporary four-poster bed and the double walk-in shower among the amenity highlights.
Linens (by Revival New York) and toiletries are high end, and there are great touches such as the welcome chocolates and an in-room steamer - as someone who stays in 50 or so hotels per year, I’m always relieved to see one in place of an iron, they make so much more sense. Designer Jeannine Jacob has done a lovely job, and the ambiance is eclectic without being jarringly so, a sense of refinement has been retained without courting sterility. I had an incredible night’s sleep thanks to the inordinately comfy bed.
The lobby and pool bars share a kitchen which, although not a full service restaurant, nevertheless has a good selection of somewhat elevated bar food. I enjoyed their very decent fish sandwich and chicken tenders, as well as the excellent shrimp cups. I dined by the pool on my second night, when there happened to be a live jazz trio, and it was delightful. The pool itself is framed by tropical greenery and is ideal for lolling around.
With the CBD, French Quarter and Garden District/Magazine Street all eminently walkable, The Blackbird is in a plum location, and it’s quiet enough to work or read a book on a lounger without it feeling like you’re in the city. It’s all in place here: the solid food and beverage program, excellent staff, pleasing design choices and thoughtful amenities really make for a great new option. Swing by for drinks and then recommend to just about anyone that’s coming into town.
The Blackbird Hotel website
The new Caesars Hotel & Casino, New Orleans
More New Orleans hotel reviews
With the Downtown hotel market in New Orleans fairly well saturated, over the last decade or so there’s been a refreshing movement of boutique hotels opening outside of the French Quarter and CBD. Interesting places to stay, in architecturally-interesting properties, include a wave of relatively new arrivals such as Hotel Peter & Paul (Marigny, opened in 2018) and Hotel Saint Vincent (Garden District, 2021).
Within the last year or so, Dreamscape Hospitality has also opened both The Garden District Hotel and The Blackbird Hotel, the latter of which I had a chance to stay at a couple of weeks ago.The Blackbird is a converted, centuries-old former children’s home and more recently a forgettable hotel called the Prytania Oaks. It has been completely refurbished, and is now a 13-room, boutique-style hotel with an open-air courtyard, pool, lobby and pool bars, and the Blackbird Café, serving local Cherry Coffee Roasters drinks.
This new generation slips into neighborhoods stealthily. They mostly assume the aesthetics of their forerunners - churches, children's homes, etc - and since they’re typically not large hotels nor corporate outposts of Marriott or Hilton, the branding and their very presence can be subtle and unintrusive.
This is especially true for The Blackbird, which I completely walked past the first time I arrived, although to be fair, it was dusk. There’s an immediate discretion to the place, though. Its entrance is unassuming and tasteful, and the bijoux size instantly creates a pleasing sense of intimacy.
It’s later in the day than I intended to check in but the helpful, friendly young man at the front desk is keen to see that all my potential needs are met. After I’m settled and come back down in search of food, he also serves me a drink at the lobby bar AND delivers my room service supper, a competent and professional multi-tasker if ever I saw one.
There’s a stylish seam of Southern Gothic about the place. The dark woods, muted interior lighting and black exterior came into their own given that as I was staying just before Halloween. It’s an evocative look, with hints of Victoriana and striking local artworks around the public spaces. A couple of cosy nooks and crannies can be found just off the lobby, on your way to the pool and outdoor bar area.
As with most conversions of older buildings in the city, the character of the place is maintained by keeping the bones intact. The period-adjacent rooms enjoy different layouts and give the interiors some variety. My junior suite was bright and airy, with a contemporary four-poster bed and the double walk-in shower among the amenity highlights.
Linens (by Revival New York) and toiletries are high end, and there are great touches such as the welcome chocolates and an in-room steamer - as someone who stays in 50 or so hotels per year, I’m always relieved to see one in place of an iron, they make so much more sense. Designer Jeannine Jacob has done a lovely job, and the ambiance is eclectic without being jarringly so, a sense of refinement has been retained without courting sterility. I had an incredible night’s sleep thanks to the inordinately comfy bed.
The lobby and pool bars share a kitchen which, although not a full service restaurant, nevertheless has a good selection of somewhat elevated bar food. I enjoyed their very decent fish sandwich and chicken tenders, as well as the excellent shrimp cups. I dined by the pool on my second night, when there happened to be a live jazz trio, and it was delightful. The pool itself is framed by tropical greenery and is ideal for lolling around.
With the CBD, French Quarter and Garden District/Magazine Street all eminently walkable, The Blackbird is in a plum location, and it’s quiet enough to work or read a book on a lounger without it feeling like you’re in the city. It’s all in place here: the solid food and beverage program, excellent staff, pleasing design choices and thoughtful amenities really make for a great new option. Swing by for drinks and then recommend to just about anyone that’s coming into town.
The Blackbird Hotel website
The new Caesars Hotel & Casino, New Orleans
More New Orleans hotel reviews