Fodor's Expert Review Loews New Orleans Hotel

One of the friendliest large hotels in the city, this property stands out with stellar service and bright, oversized rooms. The West Indies–style lobby, with a striking front-desk collage of black-and-white New Orleans scenes, is very welcoming. Soothing colors and Italian bed linens enrich the pleasant rooms, which are among the largest and most well appointed in the city. (There's even an umbrella in every room in case guests forget to pack one.) Since guest accommodations are located on floors 11–21, all have great views of downtown or the river. Grand King rooms include large bathtubs and separate glass-enclosed showers. This may look like a typical chain hotel on the outside, but its quality and consistency set it far apart.