The Troubadour in New Orleans is part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection - but thanks to elevated decor, amenities, and service, it feels far from a chain hotel

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Troubadour Hotel lead Booking.com — Booking.com

The Troubadour Hotel in New Orleans is part of Hilton's elevated Tapestry Collection, offering excellent service and amenities.
Entry-level rooms currently start as low as $90, plus taxes and fees.
I recently stayed in a King Room and found it to be an exceptional value given the spacious size, elegant decor, and comforting new COVID-19 policies.
Read more: Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.

Though it often doesn't get as much buzz as other storied properties in New Orleans, the Troubadour Hotel is a sleeper hit in the Central Business District that boasts surprisingly stylish interiors and exceptional value thanks to entry-level rooms starting below $100 per night.

The Troubadour Hotel doesn't exude much charm from the outside, but it opens up into a more exciting and aesthetically pleasing space as soon as you step through its doors. The hotel is part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection, a brand within a brand that is reserved for properties with a little more visual flair and elevated service levels.

It's 184 chic rooms and suites, convenient location, and (during non-pandemic times) hopping rooftop bar and restaurant rightfully earn it a spot on the list of the city's best hotels. The Troubadour is ideally situated to be close enough to most of New Orleans' downtown attractions while retaining a tasteful distance from the clamor of the French Quarter.

I recently booked a mid-week stay in a King Room, affectionately called a 'Troubie' on the hotel's own website, for just $90, plus taxes and fees. While some hotel rates have dropped amidst the pandemic in an effort to lure travelers back, this rate is comparable to price during non-pandemic times, which just goes to show what great value this hotel is year-round. The entry-level rooms are plenty spacious, but the hotel's suites are also a steal, with a Junior Suite starting at $179 per night, and the impressive, top-of-the-line King Suite available for as low as $279 per night.

Although the hotel's restaurant, Jayne, was closed, the rooftop Monkey Board bar and restaurant was open, albeit with distancing and capacities in place. As a Hilton property, the hotel has also implemented the brand's Hilton Cleanstay protocols. I was thoroughly impressed with the new measures and my stay reaffirmed that I would highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting New Orleans.

Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by the Troubadour Hotel.

1 Hotel Reviews Banner first impression — Business Insider

The_Troubadour_front_desk_with_plastic_screens — The Troubadour front desk included plastic screens.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

On approach, the Troubadour Hotel looks like what it once was: a rather bland 1960s office building. A discreet awning is the only real sign that a hotel lurks beyond the prosaic exterior. It's a misleading impression, though, and the ruse ends as you step through the doors and gives way to a whimsical and colorful interior.

I was immediately hit by retro-looking, geometric patterns and striking vintage furniture. Three-dimensional murals that represent parts of guitars and other instruments crept around the walls and bright abstract artworks framed the space.

It was quiet, with just one lone assistant behind the desk, which included plastic shields as a safety measure. I also noticed a couple of hand sanitizer stations and signage reminding guests to socially distance, especially in the elevators (limited to two people or one family/pod).

I had arrived an hour before the official check-in time, but didn't have to wait around. I was allocated a King Room, as booked, on the tenth floor, and it was ready immediately. The front desk clerk explained the dining situation before handing me my keys. The rooftop bar, Monkey Board, was open in the evenings, but their restaurant, Jayne, was closed. A nearby food court (The Pythian Market) was offering free delivery to guests, so that was another option.

The desk clerk also explained that the minibar offerings had been removed from the rooms, but the front desk had an array of items that would normally be offered available to buy from them directly. Keys in hand, I headed to the tenth floor.

2 Hotel Reviews Banner The room — Business Insider

The_room_was_very_generously_proportioned — The room was incredibly spacious, especially given the price.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

My King Room was at the very end of the corridor. I saw as I went to open it that it had been closed with a Hilton Cleanstay seal, meaning that nobody had entered the room since it had been sanitized by the housekeeping staff.

My room, known by the hotel as a 'Troubie', was very generously sized. Offering 330 square feet of space, these rooms are among the biggest entry-level options in the city. Even as a couple traveling with luggage, there's room to spread out in the Troubie. The low-slung bed and soft wooden tones further accentuated the amount of space.

Booking into an entry-level room at a Hilton-branded property might not fill you with inspiration, but that's where the Tapestry Collection difference comes in. I loved the design of this room, and I would argue that it's the most thoughtfully put together and interesting room you'll find at this price point in New Orleans.

A_small_work_area_with_chic_stools — A small work area with chic white stools.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

There was a steely patina to the background color palette, with greys and metallic blues mixing with off-whites. Statement fixtures took the room to the next level, including bright orange lamps that hung above the dark blue fabric headboard.

The furniture was similarly impressive. Sleek retro lines were the name of the game from the white chairs at the glass desk to an Art Deco-inspired cocktail bar. (It's just the ice bucket, mixing glass, and spoon during COVID, but there's usually a full kit complete with liquor.) All of this was against a background of translucent white curtains with just a hint of a geometric pattern.

There was an open hanging space situation for storage rather than a true closet, which might not appeal to some. However, it seems to be a feature of most modern boutique hotels and I personally didn't have a problem with it, especially for one night.

The in-room amenities were confined to a small Keurig coffee machine and a few sanitizing wipes, both of which were welcome. There was a small, raised table to work from or a longer desk, both with plenty of regular and USB charging ports available.

The King Bed itself was set low to the ground and was very firm and comfortable. The hotel isn't located on a particularly busy street, but the sound insulation was effective and I didn't hear any ambient noise.

The_monochrome_tiling_with_popping_orange_accents — The orange accents really popped against the monochrome tiling in the bathroom.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

In the bathroom, contemporary fixtures mixed with Art Deco flourishes, such as the spherical hanging lamps and bright orange tissue and soap holders that popped against the white countertops. The bathroom products were by Crabtree & Evelyn, again a step up from the usual chain offering.

The walk-in shower was very spacious and the controls for the water and temperature were not located directly under the showerhead — a sensible design feature that hotels everywhere would do well to follow so you don't have to stick your head under the faucet to adjust the settings. The only letdown was that the hot water took quite a while to arrive, but once you knew that this is the case it was easy to work around, though it would have been a bigger inconvenience for a longer stay.

troubador hotel new orleans suite — Junior Suites cost $80 more per night and come with an additional 100 square feet of living space.
Troubadour Hotel

For $90, I felt like this was an exceptional value that delivered thoughtful design and memorable features. Entry-level rooms are more than spacious enough for most guests, but those with a special occasion or a need for more space might consider the extra 100 square feet that comes with a Junior Suite for $80 more per night. And, as previously noted, if you're looking for a spot to go all out without breaking the bank, the King Suite starts at $279 per night.

3 Hotel Reviews Banner On site amenities — Business Insider

Guests_having_dinner_at_Monkey_Board — Guests having dinner at Monkey Board, which has implemented new COVID restrictions.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

Throughout my stay, it was clear that the Troubadour Hotel was maintaining a careful balance of keeping some amenities open while ensuring employees and guest safety.

Sadly, the hotel's excellent signature restaurant, Jayne, was closed. It's usually an excellent casual spot and their elevated breakfasts are a particularly great value. The breakfast alternative was a grab-bag of a muffin, fruit, a hard-boiled egg and coffee, available at the front desk. This was complimentary if you were a Hilton Honors member, or $9 otherwise, which felt like a fair price.

The hotel's excellent rooftop bar and restaurant, Monkey Board, was open for business from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week and until 11 p.m. on weekends, including Sundays.

If you want to dine in, reservations are recommended because of possible capacity limitations, but I ordered my burger to go. I grabbed a quick cocktail while I waited for the food to come out, and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. Tables were well spaced and there was a good number of couples and small groups enjoying drinks and dinner. There was plenty of room, and the staff were all masked, which was reassuring.

The_very_stylish_mezzanine_lounge — The very stylish mezzanine lounge.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider

If you need some quiet work or lounging space that isn't in your room, there's a lovely, little-used Mezzanine level that has comfy couches and tables, and is framed by some genuinely impressive large format photography by Hawaiian photographer Christy Lee Rogers.

There's an excellent food court nearby, The Pythian Market, that has signs about the hotel offering free delivery to guest rooms. Menus were available via QR codes.

Additionally, the small exercise room was available for use as long as social distancing could be observed.

4 Hotel Reviews Banner What's nearby — Business Insider

The Troubadour Hotel is located in the city's Central Business District. It's just two blocks from the historic French Quarter and the notorious nightlife found there. Guests can also walk to the banks of the Mississippi River within a few minutes.

The shops and malls of Canal Street and the art galleries of Julia Street are both within easy striking distance, and it's not much further to the world-class National World War II Museum. Similarly, antiquing on Royal Street in the Quarter is an easy stroll.

The hotel is well placed for public transportation, with bus terminals just a minute or two away and streetcar lines to Uptown and other city spots all also easily reached by foot.

Check flight prices to New Orleans on Expedia

5 Hotel Reviews Banner What others say — Business Insider

The Troubadour Hotel has an 8.5 out of 10 on Booking.com and 4 out of 5 stars on Trip Advisor. It is ranked 78 of 178 hotels in New Orleans with just over 1,000 reviews.

This may seem low, but almost 600 of the reviews are marked "Excellent" and the hotel did, unfortunately, go through a period of managerial instability that has long since been improved upon.

The hotel's looks are a big hit among the people that have enjoyed staying there, with one recent reviewer saying, "I found the eclectic decor of the rooms to be my favorite attribute of the rooms. They were decorated so uniquely and beautifully. Most rooms have a small living area, well-curated art, and local books, a minibar of local NOLA delights, and a small cute cocktail-making bar set. I felt as if I was staying in a studio apartment."

Some guests are less impressed with the storage space situation and bemoan the lack of actual closets in some of the entry-level rooms, but fans of modern hotel room design will be more at home.

Read reviews, compare prices, and book the Troubadour Hotel on Trip Advisor

6 Hotel Reviews Banner What you need to know — BI

Who stays here: Guests who like the reassurance of staying in a Hilton-branded hotel, or who want to use their loyalty points, but also want to enjoy rooms designed with a little more imagination than standard chain properties.

We like: The rooftop space, Monkey Board, which has a great elevated bar food menu and decent mixed drinks, as well as lovely views of the downtown skyline.

We love (don't miss this feature!): The striking and original design of the rooms. Combined with the generous amounts of space, it makes for one of the best entry-level rooms in town at a steal.

We think you should know: If you'd like a full breakfast you'll have to find a spot off site for now. There are plenty of local options, though.

We'd do this differently next time: Take time out and read a book or work for a while on the Mezzanine, and take in the art found there that most guests don't ever see.

Hotel Reviews Banner COVID 19 policies — BI

Hilton-branded hotels have a company-wide COVID policy called CleanStay, which you can find here.

In summary:

From the Hilton CleanStay Room Seal to focused disinfection of high-touch areas in the guest room, we're committed to providing guests with a clean, comfortable space.
Hotel housekeeping services can be tailored to the individual guest experience for individual comfort levels.
From social distancing, increased scheduled cleaning of public spaces, and changes to our amenities and services, the hotel is committed to protecting guest wellbeing while using public spaces.
In addition to changes to in-room room dining services, breakfast and dining options, the hotel is providing designated locations and guidelines for contactless food delivery.

I generally felt that the Troubadour Hotel was doing a good job of implementing social distancing and hygienic protocols across all of its amenities, and I felt safe at all times. I appreciated the signage and sanitizing stations throughout the public areas, as well as the plastic screens and the sanitizing stations at check-in. The hotel did a nice job upholding its hygiene commitments while still offering guests a safe dining experience.

7 Hotel Reviews Banner Bottom Line — Business Insider

The Troubadour Hotel is an oft-overlooked property in New Orleans, but it shouldn't be. It delivers memorable interior design, spacious entry-level rooms, and a fantastic location — all under $100 per night. Plus, as a member of the Tapesty Collection, Hilton loyalists can enjoy a stay earning or using points at a hotel that feels anything but chain.

Despite reduced staff, the hotel's customer service levels held up well, and I was pleased with the COVID-19 protocols that included plastic screens at the front desk, sanitization stations, signage throughout the common areas, complimentary in-room wipes, and room safety seals.

While favorite restaurant Jayne is sadly closed right now, keeping Monkey Board open instead was a sensible decision as it easily copes with distancing requirements and retains one of the hotel's best features.

I would gladly book my same room again, though I may even be tempted to upgrade to a suite given that the starting price of $179 is still relatively affordable. With these starting prices and the thoughtful touches found throughout the entire property, this hotel is hard to beat.