Few cities in America do hospitality quite like New Orleans. It’s in the city’s DNA, deep as the Mississippi River, exuberant as an impromptu second line—unbelievably resilient no matter what gets thrown at it. In all its diverse neighborhoods, NOLA’s irresistible joie de vivre marches on. And whether our readers visited for a bachelorette party, business convention, or the Super Bowl, they found hotels brimming with rich history, ebullient style, and the kind of service you remember long after check-out.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
The Windsor Court
What Readers Loved
This year’s favorite properties in New Orleans are located primarily in the Central Business District and the French Quarter—the city’s historic heartbeat of tourism. The sole exception is the Pontchartrain Hotel (No. 7). One reader described it as being “perfectly located in the heart of the Garden District,“ and also noted that it has a great jazz bar. Readers also paid particular attention to the classics this year, like The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel (No. 3), whose resplendent building dates back to 1893. About the Hotel Monteleone (No. 2), one reader wonders, “Can you really say you’ve been to the Crescent City without a turn at The Carousel Bar?” And taking first place, steps from the River, is The Windsor Court, which has been hosting guests in style since the ‘80s. “This is the hotel to make your stay in New Orleans the best,” a reader says. “Quintessential NOLA.”
The Winner
The Windsor Court
The Windsor Court
Situated near the riverfront in the Central Business District, this posh 1984 classic wins on amenities, from the wonderful pool stretching 65 feet long, to the museum-worthy art collection. But it’s the staff that really cements the Windsor Court’s status as a New Orleans legend. “The level of service is unmatched, from the doormen, front desk, housekeeping, and the staff in the bar and restaurants,” one reader said. Another, who traveled with their family, recalled, “They treated the children as honored guests.”
T+L Reader
The level of service is unmatched, from the doormen, front desk, housekeeping, and the staff in the bar and restaurants.
— T+L Reader
The Full List
1. The Windsor Court
Reader Score: 94.96
2. Hotel Monteleone
Reader Score: 90.15
3. The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Reader Score: 88.39
4. Omni Royal Orleans
Reader Score: 88.00
5. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
Reader Score: 87.64
6. Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Reader Score: 87.56
7. Pontchartrain Hotel
Reader Score: 87.50
8. Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Reader Score: 83.24
9. JW Marriott New Orleans
Reader Score: 80.44
10. Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Reader Score: 80.00
