Check out our photo essay on our stay at the Q&C HotelBar New Orleans, Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
Our trip was organized at the last minute: we discovered via a friend the booking platform Sonder which is a middle ground between apartments offered by individuals on Airbnb and traditional hotels. You will discover the concept in a later article. This platform offers apartments in different cities and New Orleans is covered.
The apartment we were looking at for our family stay was available for 3 nights. Staying in New Orleans for 4 nights, we opted for a night in this hotel when we arrived, one block from the Sonder apartment.
I booked this hotel… the day before arrival. The price in points was 40,000 points…
while the silver price was… 99 US$.
So I chose to pay in cash. Thanks to my Marriott Elite Platinum status, I was able to get free breakfasts and had the opportunity to upgrade (upon availability). (As of July 2018, Marriott Gold members also have access to these benefits).
After a 30-minute Uber ride (get $5 off your first ride!) from New Orleans airport (MSY), we arrived at the Q&C HotelBar Autograph Collection, located right next to the French Quarter.
Uber is rated by the American Express Cobalt card like cabs: 2 points per dollar. To earn 5 points per dollar, simply purchase an Uber gift card from Couche-Tard to fund your Uber account in Canada (your CAD balance will not work abroad).
The hotel is divided into two buildings separated by an alley.
Q&C HotelBar New Orleans – Autograph Collection Q&C HotelBar New Orleans – Autograph Collection
We enter the building on the left to reach the reception.
The atmosphere is different from traditional hotels. You can see a lobby with leather sofas of different style, industrial lights, a rather dark decor.
We arrive at our hotel in the early afternoon. Our room is ready, but no upgrade (actually the upgrade was offered on condition that we wait until 4pm: with two small children, tired from the trip, we take our room immediately).
We are given the welcome gift reserved for Platinum members (chocolate & water).
Did you know, Platinum member? If they forget to offer you a welcome gift, you can claim US$100!
We are informed that we will have to go to the other building just across the street.
Entering this other building, we find an eclectic decor.
Living room Living room Living room Living room
We continue at the end of this room to reach the elevators.
The corridors of the hotel are very beautiful. Despite the dark colors, the lighting is quite sufficient.
Our room is at the end of the hallway… with 2 other rooms very close together.
When we opened the door, we discovered a beautiful room with 2 queen size beds, although a little small.
The decor is really well done I think, it’s a real change from the traditional uniform hotels.
Bed Beds
We find a nice office with a coffee machine
Office corner Coffee corner
Also a mini-fridge.
Another view of the desktop and the TV screen
The bathroom is composed of a shower. Like the room, it is small but very functional.
Bathroom Bathroom
The shower has refillable bottles like in many hotels now (economical + ecological!)
Finally, in the closet, we find bathrobes and the iron.
The view? There is not really any (we look out onto the alley between the two buildings). In short, for one night, this room will do perfectly.
Breakfast is served in the bar adjacent to the lobby.
As there is no place to sit at the tables, we decide to sit in the armchairs near the coffee tables.
When we checked in, coupons were given to us: everything is covered on the menu except the tip.
The breakfast was excellent! We highly recommend it, especially the famous doughnuts.
A beautiful hotel, very close to the French Quarter and Canal Street. This is a good choice to discover New Orleans, especially if you have Marriott Gold / Platinum status!
Savings are here: