Is New Orleans Marriott worth it? An honest pros and cons list

Yes — New Orleans Marriott is worth considering if you want a large, central, convention-friendly hotel on Canal Street with a rooftop pool, multiple on-site dining options, and extensive meeting space. It’s best for guests who prioritize location and conference facilities; families are welcome, but expect valet-only parking, a minimum check-in age, and typical downtown hotel trade-offs.
In this guide
- Location — steps from the French Quarter
- Rooms & room types — many options for different needs
- On-site dining & nightlife — solidly convenient
- Facilities & family features — rooftop pool, fitness, meeting space
- Practical considerations — cost, parking, policies
- Who this hotel is best for — pick New Orleans Marriott if...
Location — steps from the French Quarter
New Orleans Marriott sits at 555 Canal St on the edge of the French Quarter, giving easy walking access to Canal Street, Bourbon Street, and nearby attractions such as Jackson Square and the Mississippi Riverfront.
The hotel is on the Canal Street streetcar line so you can board right outside for short transit trips across the city. The cruise port, casinos and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are also within easy reach.
- Address: 555 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Streetcar: boards on Canal Street outside the hotel
- Walkable: Bourbon Street ~5 minutes; Jackson Square ~10 minutes
| Nearby Landmark | Typical Walk Time |
|---|---|
| Bourbon Street | About 5 minutes |
| Jackson Square | About 10 minutes |
| Sazerac House | Very close (about 250 ft reported) |

Rooms & room types — many options for different needs
The property offers 1,333 guest rooms and suites across 41 floors, with room categories that include Club Room, Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Suite, and several Executive Suite variants.
Room names you may see when booking include Club Room, Superior Room, City View, Superior Room, River View, Deluxe Room, Suite, and Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom (including Tower versions). Exact bedding configurations vary by room type.
- Select room names: Club Room; Superior Room, City View; Superior Room, River View; Deluxe Room; Suite; Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom; Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Tower
- Club Room options include 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Superior Room, City View listed for up to 4 Guests (1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
| Sample Room Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Club Room | Available in 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds; Club Room listings also include tub options |
| Superior Room, City View | City view; shown as sleeping up to 4 guests |
| Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom | Multiple suite and tower variants available |

On-site dining & nightlife — solidly convenient
New Orleans Marriott has multiple on-site outlets covering quick bites, sit-down meals and cocktails: 5Fifty5 Restaurant, 55 Fahrenheit, Canal Street Burger Bar and Canal Street Pantry.
Menus and hours vary by venue; 5Fifty5 serves breakfast and lunch (and is noted for its gumbo), 55 Fahrenheit is the cocktail bar in the Greatroom, Canal Street Burger Bar focuses on burgers and Canal Street Pantry covers grab-and-go-style options.
- 5Fifty5 Restaurant — breakfast & lunch; known for an award-winning gumbo
- 55 Fahrenheit — cocktail bar; later hours Fri–Sat
- Canal Street Burger Bar — burgers (Black Angus and Impossible option) open mid-day to late night
- Canal Street Pantry — pastries, sandwiches, pizza, open early to late
| Venue | Typical Service |
|---|---|
| 5Fifty5 Restaurant | Breakfast & Lunch |
| 55 Fahrenheit | Cocktails & light bites |
| Canal Street Burger Bar / Canal Street Pantry | Lunch/Dinner and grab-and-go options |

Facilities & family features — rooftop pool, fitness, meeting space
The hotel offers a heated, outdoor rooftop pool on the fifth floor with a shallow section and a deeper area; listings report pool hours and accessible entrance. A pool bar is reported in some listings, with variable service times.
There is a complimentary fitness center on the fifth floor with cardio machines and free weights, plus accessible entrances. The property is also a large meeting and event venue with tens of thousands of square feet of meeting space across many rooms.
- Rooftop pool: heated, fifth floor; shallow and deeper sections reported (pool-depth listings show around 3 ft to 8 ft)
- Fitness center: complimentary, cardio machines and free weights; accessible entrance
- Event space: roughly 83,965 sq ft across ~50 meeting rooms; Grand Ballroom listed at 27,089 sq ft (up to 3,200 reception capacity)
| Facility | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool | Heated; accessible entrance; reported pool hours daily |
| Fitness center | Complimentary; fifth-floor location |
| Meeting space | ~83,965 sq ft across ~50 rooms; large ballrooms and a 41st-floor Riverview option |
Practical considerations — cost, parking, policies
New Orleans Marriott is a downtown property and comes with typical urban-hotel trade-offs: valet-only parking (reported with a daily fee and height restrictions) and no on-site shuttle service to the airport.
The hotel is smoke-free and the official pet policy lists no pets allowed (note: some third-party sites report conflicting pet policies). The minimum age to check in is listed by Marriott as 21.
- Parking: valet only; reported daily fee on third-party listings; limited during special events
- Pets: Marriott’s official listing states pets are not allowed (third-party sites conflict)
- Minimum check-in age: Marriott lists 21 (some aggregators report 18)
| Policy | What Marriott lists |
|---|---|
| Check-in time | 4:00 pm |
| Check-out time | 11:00 am |
| Minimum age to check in | 21 |
Who this hotel is best for — pick New Orleans Marriott if...
You’re attending a conference, wedding or large event and need on-site meeting space, or you want immediate access to Canal Street and the French Quarter. The property’s size and meeting-capacity are primary strengths.
Families and leisure travelers who value location and a rooftop pool will find the hotel convenient. If you want a smaller, boutique experience or strict pet-friendly policies, a different property may fit better.
- Good for: conference attendees, wedding guests, travelers who want Canal Street/French Quarter access
- Also good for: families who want a rooftop pool and central location
- Less good for: travelers seeking a small boutique hotel, guaranteed pet-friendly rooms, or on-site spa details (no confirmed full-service spa name found)
| Traveler Type | Fit |
|---|---|
| Convention/business travelers | Very good — lots of meeting space |
| Families | Good — family-friendly pool and rooms |
| Couples seeking boutique stay | Maybe — large, busy property rather than intimate |


