New Orleans Marriott
Best for visitors who want immediate access to the French Quarter, streetcar connections, and a rooftop pool close to Canal Street nightlife.
Hotel comparison guide
New Orleans Marriott vs Hilton New Orleans Riverside
New Orleans Marriott is a large, 41-floor Canal Street hotel that suits convention groups, business travelers, and families who want easy French Quarter access. Hilton New Orleans Riverside is a big riverfront convention hotel geared toward conferences, cruise passengers, and travelers who want riverfront proximity and extensive meeting space.
Updated · about 0.4 km apart
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Best for large conventions, cruise-terminal proximity, and guests who prefer a riverfront hotel with extensive on-site meeting facilities.
Quick Verdict: New Orleans Marriott vs Hilton New Orleans Riverside
When New Orleans Marriott wins: choose Marriott if you want to be on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter, with easy walking access to Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and the streetcar — and if a rooftop pool and onsite cocktail bar matter to you.
When Hilton New Orleans Riverside wins: pick Hilton Riverside for very large meetings or events (it has over 137,000 sq ft of conference space listed), for two outdoor pools, and for a riverfront location close to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal and convention center.
Bottom line: both are full-service, convention-oriented downtown hotels; Marriott is the better choice for French Quarter access and rooftop-pool vibes, while Hilton Riverside is stronger for riverfront positioning and large-group meetings.
New Orleans Marriott vs Hilton New Orleans Riverside – At a Glance
| Category | New Orleans Marriott | Hilton New Orleans Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large downtown convention hotel on Canal Street with French Quarter access | Riverfront convention hotel focused on meetings and cruise/convention traffic |
| Location | 555 Canal St — on Canal Street, steps from the French Quarter and streetcar | 2 Poydras St — riverfront; minutes from Canal Street and cruise terminal |
| Size (rooms) | 1,333 rooms across 41 floors | 1,622 guestrooms |
| Meeting & event space | About 83,965 sq ft across ~50 rooms; large ballrooms including a 27,089-sq-ft Grand Ballroom | About 137,923 sq ft of conference space (supplier listing) |
| Pools | Heated outdoor rooftop pool (5th floor) with shallow and deeper areas | Two outdoor pools plus extensive on-site sports facilities |
| Restaurants & bars | Four venues: 5Fifty5, 55 Fahrenheit bar, Canal Street Burger Bar, Canal Street Pantry | Two restaurants, two coffee shops/cafes and two bars/lounges (on-site) |
| Spa / salon | Not published | |
| Accessibility & family policy | Welcomes families; minimum check-in age 21; wheelchair-accessible path and pool access noted | Welcomes all ages; extensive wheelchair-accessible meeting spaces and accessible pool |
| Typical guest | Convention groups, families, leisure travelers wanting French Quarter access | Convention groups, cruise and business travelers preferring riverfront location |
| Airport distance | About 15 miles to MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans Intl.) | |
Location: Canal Street access vs riverfront proximity
New Orleans Marriott – Location
New Orleans Marriott sits on Canal Street at the French Quarter edge; it’s ideal if you want street-level access to Bourbon Street and the streetcar.
- Directly on the Canal Street streetcar line — board right outside the hotel
- Short walk to Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and French Quarter attractions
- Valet parking only (surcharge) and close to downtown transit options
Pick Marriott for the easiest walk/ride into the French Quarter and Canal Street attractions.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Location
Hilton New Orleans Riverside is a riverfront property a short walk from Canal Street and very near the cruise terminal and convention center.
- Riverfront address with a walkway to the water and close access to Riverwalk outlets
- Approximately a 4-minute walk to Canal Street and under 10 minutes to the convention center
- On-site secured and covered parking options (surcharge)
Choose Hilton Riverside if proximity to the river, cruise terminal, or massive meeting spaces matters most.
Rooms: layouts and scale
New Orleans Marriott – Rooms
Marriott has 1,333 rooms across 41 floors with a mix of city and river views plus club/ executive options.
- Room types include Club Room, Superior Room (City and River View), multiple Executive Suite options, and accessibility variants
- Rooftop-facing and river-facing rooms are available for different views
- Complimentary fitness center access; in-room Wi‑Fi included for eligible direct-bookers (Marriott Bonvoy benefits)
Marriott offers a wide range of room categories and river-view options useful for leisure and business stays.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Rooms
Hilton Riverside lists 1,622 guestrooms with standard full-service amenities across a large riverfront campus.
- Rooms feature pillowtop beds, LCD/Smart TVs, safes and desks (supplier listing)
- Property-scale means many room types and large capacity for group bookings
- Wi‑Fi in-room and public areas is available for a surcharge per the supplier
Hilton Riverside is set up to handle large-group rooming needs with substantial room inventory.
Dining & drinks: more venues at Marriott vs Riverside’s basics
New Orleans Marriott – Dining & drinks
New Orleans Marriott provides several on-site dining options that cover breakfast through late-night cocktails.
- 5Fifty5 Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch with New Orleans dishes and noted gumbo
- 55 Fahrenheit is the Marriott’s cocktail bar with late-night hours on weekends
- Casual options include Canal Street Burger Bar and Canal Street Pantry for quick bites
Marriott’s multiple venues are convenient for visitors who want a variety of on-site dining and a late-night bar.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Dining & drinks
Hilton Riverside has two main restaurants, two coffee shops/cafes, and two bars/lounges — functional choices for most guests.
- Public Belt is one named hotel restaurant (room service available during limited hours)
- Buffet breakfast available (fee applies) and grab-and-go options at cafés
- Multiple bars/lounges for casual evening drinks
Hilton Riverside covers essential dining needs and meal service for conventioneers and cruise guests, but offers fewer distinct concepts than Marriott.
Pools & signature amenity: rooftop pool vs multiple pools and sports
New Orleans Marriott – Pools & signature amenity
Marriott’s signature pool is a heated rooftop pool on the fifth floor with shallow and deeper sections.
- Rooftop pool offers a shallow kids’ zone and a deeper area (listings note roughly 3 ft to 8 ft depths)
- Pool hours are daily and the area includes a pool bar (hours vary by listing)
- Accessible pool entrance and accessible routes to amenities
Marriott’s rooftop pool is a city-center perk — good for leisure guests wanting a pool near the French Quarter.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Pools & signature amenity
Hilton Riverside features two outdoor pools plus a range of on-site athletic facilities.
- Two outdoor pools and pool sun loungers are listed in the supplier facts
- Extensive indoor/outdoor sports facilities include tennis, indoor tennis courts, basketball, and pickleball
- Pool access and pool facilities support groups and families at scale
Hilton Riverside’s multiple pools and sports options make it stronger for active guests and large groups.
Wellness & nightlife: fitness, accessibility and evening options
New Orleans Marriott – Wellness & nightlife
Marriott provides a complimentary on-site fitness center and an accessible property layout for many guests.
- Fifth-floor fitness center with cardio machines and free weights; entrance is accessible
- Close walk to French Quarter nightlife and live-music venues
- Accessible meeting spaces and event floors including a 41st-floor Riverview Ballroom
Marriott mixes a standard fitness offering with immediate French Quarter nightlife options just outside the door.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Wellness & nightlife
Hilton Riverside includes an on-site health club, fitness classes, and multilingual staff to support group programs.
- Health club, fitness classes, saunas and lockers listed among amenities
- Assistive listening devices in meeting rooms and broad accessibility features
- Nearby casinos and Riverwalk outlets for evening activities
Hilton Riverside supports wellness for groups and provides easy evening options around the riverfront and casino area.
Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style
New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans Marriott puts you on Canal Street with immediate streetcar and walking access to Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Hilton New Orleans Riverside lists far larger conference space on its supplier listing and is positioned for big events and cruise groups.
New Orleans Marriott
Marriott’s heated rooftop pool is a standout downtown amenity for leisure travelers and families.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Hilton Riverside is within a short walk of the Julia Street Cruise Terminal and offers a riverfront walkway and views.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQs →New Orleans Marriott vs Hilton New Orleans Riverside: FAQs
Which hotel is closer to the French Quarter?
New Orleans Marriott — it sits on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter, steps from Bourbon Street.
Which hotel is better for conventions and large meetings?
Hilton New Orleans Riverside — supplier information lists roughly 137,923 sq ft of conference space and extensive meeting rooms suited to large events.
Do both hotels have pools?
Yes. Marriott has a heated rooftop pool; Hilton Riverside has two outdoor pools and broader on-site sports facilities.
Are either property’s on-site spas confirmed?
Not published for either property in the supplied facts.
Which hotel is better for families?
New Orleans Marriott explicitly welcomes families, has a kids’ shallow pool area on the rooftop, and family-friendly dining options.
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