While it’s been a go-to for Big Easy visitors for a quarter century, it’s recently ushered in a new era with big changes to boot. For starters, the rebrand included nixing the original name. Goodbye Harrah’s, hello Caesars New Orleans. The hotel/casino has always been owned by Caesars Entertainment, so embracing the Caesars name was a sensible, cohesive move.
Related: 'Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Is Iconic for a Reason—Here's What Blew Me Away the Most'
Admittedly, I’ve visited the Crescent City multiple times, but I’d never stayed at Caesars New Orleans until now. Over the years, I’d stop inside the lobby to cool down after exploring the area or leaving the nearby Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where I often attend the annual Essence Festival of Culture.
A Hotel Within a Hotel
Located on the second floor, the hotel lobby is sleek and modern with subtle Japanese design influences peppered throughout. The relaxing neutral tones complement the lobby’s white marble floors, creating a minimalistic yet sophisticated vibe.
If you’ve ever dined at Nobu, the popular Japanese restaurant franchise, you’re likely already familiar with the upscale aesthetic. The brand’s hotel offerings are no different. While the lobby has a bright and airy ambiance, some of the hallways leading to the guest rooms and suites are a bit on the dark side, evoking masculine energy.
The Rooms
Again, I stayed in a standard king guest room within the Nobu Hotel (starting rate $299/per night) in the Caesars Tower. It's the luxury hospitality brand's first hotel in Louisiana and has 54 guest rooms.
Upon entering my guest room, I was delighted to find a strikingly gorgeous wooden origami box filled with ornate sweets perfectly placed inside tiny drawers. It was one of the most unique (and delicious) amenities I’ve ever received.
While I had the pleasure of staying in a standard Nobu Hotel room, some of the suites within the tower had more of a modern, contemporary look and feel. For example, one of the suites had beautiful artwork honoring the hotel’s namesake gracing the walls.
Related: This Country Has Some of the Cheapest Luxury Hotels in the Mediterranean
Restaurants, Bars and Lounges
Guests visiting the hotel and casino have plenty of dining options to keep hunger and thirst at bay.
Emeril’s Brasserie
I ordered one of the chef's specials: Gulf Fish Court Bouillon with shrimp and lump blue crab set atop a bed of green rice mixed with a spicy red sauce. This dish was hands-down one of the best meals I’d ever eaten in all my years of visiting New Orleans. I ended my dinner with a mouthwatering caramelized vanilla ice cream dessert that perfectly satisfied my sweet tooth.
In addition to the main dining room, the restaurant also has a quick-service coffee shop and bakery that’s adjacent to the eatery and is open daily from 7 am to 4 pm. However, guests should note that it’s only accessible from the casino floor, unlike the main restaurant.
Nobu Restaurant
The menu reflects a variety of fresh fish and seafood in the form of nigiri and sashimi. Signature dishes include Yellowtail Jalapeño, featuring delicately sliced yellowtail sashimi with touches of garlic puree, adorned with jalapeño slices, crowned with cilantro and served with Japanese citrus soy sauce.
I dined at Nobu on my last night at the property. To say that it was an unforgettable dining experience would be an understatement. I had a variety of delicious raw and cooked dishes that delighted my taste buds in every way. The highlight? The Black Cod Miso, which is prepared by marinating the fish in den miso sauce for two to three days to produce the unique sweet-savory flavor.
The Steakhouse
I didn’t have the opportunity to dine here, but I did stop by the bar on a Saturday night to pick up a slice of chocolate cake. However, they didn’t have the one I wanted, so I didn’t end up tasting anything from the restaurant.
I noticed that the bar was buzzing and there wasn’t an empty seat in sight. I highly recommend making a reservation for weekends.
Celebrity Chef Food Hall
Guests craving a tasty burger could head over to Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burgers. In the mood for New York-style pizza or a fun dessert? Buddy Valastro, known as the “Cake Boss,” delivers with his PizzaCake outpost.
My personal favorite was Nina’s Creole Cottage by local chef Nina Compton. I had the pleasure of trying the chicken and sausage gumbo, fried catfish sandwich, red beans and rice, as well as a frozen piña colada. Everything was flavorful and filling. While I typically prefer seafood gumbo, this one was still good.
Octavia
While the Art Deco decor was eye-catching, what really caught my eye was the stunning $750,000 chandelier glittering from above.
1931 Lounge
Just steps from Nobu Hotel’s front desk, guests will find a hidden gem on the second floor in the Caesars Tower. This modern and welcoming bar is a respite from the busy and noisy casino below. It also overlooks the end of Canal Street and the mesmerizing Mississippi River.
For pre-dinner drinks, I had a delicious daiquiri. It had just the right balance of sweet and sour flavors to make it memorable.
The Casino
Admittedly, I’m not a gambler, but I do enjoy watching folks buzzing about glued to their respective games. It’s fascinating to witness their commitment to winning. During my stay, I didn’t see anyone score a big win, but there were plenty of hopefuls planted in seats praying for a big payout.
Since the hotel is also a casino, of course, it’s an adult-only (ages 21 and older) property. Upon entry, guests are required to provide identification. Their IDs are then sent through a security system so every single person who walks through the Caesars New Orleans doors is documented. Guests dining at Emeril’s Brasserie or Nobu don’t have to go through the checkpoint process. However, those wishing to dine at one of the restaurants within the Celebrity Chef Food Hall would have to pass the casino prior to entry.
Caesars New Orleans Review: My Honest Thoughts
Staying at the Nobu Hotel changed my mind. The hotel-within-a-hotel concept is something that travelers should consider. It’s like the best of both worlds. It’s appealing because it boasts the benefits of a smaller hotel but with the amenities of a larger property.
Again, having so many food and drink options within steps from my room was one of the aspects that I appreciated the most.
Comfort, convenience and quality are always my top priorities when choosing hotels. What you get in reality is always a gamble. Thankfully, Caesars New Orleans presented no risks, all rewards.
Related: 10 Super Fun, Unique Things To Do in Vegas (That Aren't Gambling)
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( New Orleans’ Most Famous Hotel and Casino Just Got a Makeover )
Also on site :