Fairmont Marks Return to Crescent City After 20 Years Fairmont New Orleans has officially opened in the Central Business District, marking the luxury brand's return to the city after more than two decades and serving as Fairmont's 100th hotel globally. The 250-room property occupies 17 stories of the former Bank of New Orleans building, a 1970 Skidmore, Owings & Merrill landmark that has been extensively restored. The hotel is positioned within walking distance of the French Quarter and Caesars Superdome, situating guests at the intersection of the city's cultural, business, and entertainment districts.
Emeril Partnership Launches Four Dining Venues Fairmont partnered with Chef Emeril Lagasse and The Emeril Group to create multiple dining and drinking destinations. Delmonico Steakhouse marks the first New Orleans location of the celebrated Las Vegas concept, open for dinner with hand-selected prime cuts from Creekstone Farms and Japanese Wagyu, alongside tableside preparations including Chateaubriand and Bananas Foster. "I'm thrilled to bring Delmonico Steakhouse to New Orleans alongside The Café by Emeril, creating two distinct dining experiences that reflect what I love about cooking and bringing people together," Chef Lagasse said. "We're proud to be a part of Fairmont's return to the city and look forward to welcoming both locals and visitors to experience the bold flavors, genuine hospitality, and unmistakable New Orleans spirit that defines everything we do." The Café by Emeril offers breakfast and lunch in a brasserie style, combining French-inspired classics with Creole and Southern influences. Both restaurants feature hand-embellished wallcoverings by New Orleans artist Bruna Petalla. Two additional venues debut in December: Bleu Perdu, a rooftop dining concept on the 31st floor overlooking the Mississippi River with bistro-style service and live performances, and Third Measure, an intimate late-night cocktail bar developed with Neal Bodenheimer, founder of New Orleans' Cure. Third Measure features custom fan-shaped marble mosaic flooring and a Lasvit chandelier.
Design Draws on 1970s Architecture Rockwell Group designed interiors that balance mid-century references with contemporary interpretations of New Orleans design. The 250 guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, custom artworks referencing Louisiana's bayous, and locally sourced amenities including Le Labo bath products. Select king rooms include "faux balconies" with café tables. Local craftsmanship is integrated throughout: Triton Stone supplied custom mosaics and slab stone; Bevolo provided gas lanterns for the rooftop pool deck; and the original Bank of New Orleans lobby on the second floor retains its local cypress ceiling and restored bronze paneling. Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, said: "Celebrating Fairmont's landmark 100th hotel in New Orleans is a moment of perfect alignment. This is a city built on the very poetry of celebration, culture, and hospitality, setting the ultimate stage for such a historic milestone. After two decades away, returning to New Orleans feels like a joyful homecoming."
Event Space and Wellness Amenities The property offers over 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space across nine venues, including two 4,000-square-foot ballrooms on the renovated second floor that can accommodate groups of 10 to 500 guests. A 10,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, opening in December, will feature three private treatment rooms, a couples' suite, sauna with skyline views, and a fitness studio with Matrix Onyx equipment. Rates start at $459 per night. Reservations are available on OpenTable and through Fairmont's website. ALL Accor members receive complimentary house car drop-off service within one mile.
Why It Matters
The property represents a significant repositioning of luxury hospitality in New Orleans' Central Business District and signals continued investment in chef-driven dining as a hotel anchor—a model gaining traction across major markets. The rooftop dining and cocktail program, combined with 19,000 square feet of event space, positions Fairmont as a competitive venue for destination events, conventions, and celebrations during peak periods like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the significance of Fairmont New Orleans opening now?
This is Fairmont's 100th hotel globally and marks the brand's return to New Orleans after 20 years. The 250-room property anchors the Central Business District in a restored 1970 SOM landmark, positioning it as a major player in the city's luxury hospitality landscape.
How many Emeril Group venues are opening at Fairmont New Orleans?
Four dining concepts are launching. Delmonico Steakhouse and The Café by Emeril open immediately, serving prime Creekstone Farms beef and Japanese Wagyu at the steakhouse, plus French-Creole breakfast and lunch at the café. Bleu Perdu and a fourth venue debut in December.
What sets Delmonico Steakhouse apart from other high-end steakhouses?
It's the first New Orleans location of Lagasse's celebrated Las Vegas concept, featuring hand-selected Creekstone Farms prime cuts and Japanese Wagyu with tableside preparations including Chateaubriand and Bananas Foster. The restaurant occupies prime real estate with hand-embellished wallcoverings by New Orleans artist Bruna Petalla.
Where exactly is Fairmont New Orleans positioned in the city?
The hotel sits in the Central Business District within walking distance of both the French Quarter and Caesars Superdome, making it accessible to the city's cultural, business, and entertainment hubs without overlap with existing luxury properties.
What's the dining strategy for The Café by Emeril?
It operates as a brasserie concept focusing on breakfast and lunch, blending French classics with Creole and Southern influences to capture both hotel guests and local traffic during daylight hours, complementing Delmonico's dinner-focused steakhouse model.
