Bridey's Lucky 7: The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

A few weeks ago, I was the guest of The Royal Sonesta New Orleans while doing research for a travel guide for The Taste. This trip was not my first to New Orleans as its blessed proximity to Houston allows me to go there about twice a year; however, it was the first time I have stayed at the Royal Sonesta in the French Quarter since their renovations. Impressed? You could say that. Here are my seven reasons why anyone is lucky to be their guest.

7. The Best Night's Sleep in The French Quarter. Don't get me wrong; being smack dab in the French Quarter is not a bad thing (see #1 on this list!), but at some point you need to catch up on your beauty sleep without being interrupted by raucous revelers still partying on Bourbon Street. By providing guests with complimentary ear plugs (genius), The Royal Sonesta enables its guests to rest soundly undisturbed by exterior noise.

Just swim...literally.

6. Expansive Rooftop Dining Area, Bar, and Pool. While many FQ hotels boast rooftop pool areas, the Royal Sonesta's is one of the biggest and most luxurious, with ample seating, attentive servers, and welcome shade from large umbrellas as well as foliage.

Have a dozen (or two) oysters.

5. Desire Oyster Bar. Want to eat oysters while wearing pajamas? You can at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans because just downstairs from your room is Desire Oyster Bar. In addition to noteworthy bivalve dishes, the restaurant is also known for its well-executed Creole classics such as red beans and rice, jambalaya, po'boys, and shrimp and grits.

A feast for the eyes.

4. The Hotel Doubles As An Art Museum. Composed of over 7000 works by artists such as Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Sol Lewitt, Malcolm Morley and others, The Royal Sonesta's art collection will make you stop and stare in a good way as you meander through its corridors.

Many, many machines mean you can work out without the wait.

3. The Biggest Hotel Fitness Room in New Orleans. End-stop. Okay, so most people do not go to The Big Easy to work out but if you, like Bridey, require regular cardio to stay sane (and like to watch The Real Housewives while you get your sweat on), then you will LOVE the Royal Sonesta's very recently remodeled fitness facility with more than 10 ellipticals, treadmills, and standing and recumbent bikes, all equipped with personal televisions.

One of the best gumbos in town.

2. Death By Gumbo at Restaurant R'Evolution.  There are a litany of reasons to eat and drink at Restaurant R'Evolution including knowledgeable barkeep Brian, signature cocktails such as the Barbecue Mary and All-Day Old-Fashioned, and the well-crafted menu by Chef Folse.  But the most compelling aspect of this establishment is the Death By Gumbo, a decadent, smoky quail broth featuring a whole quail stuffed with oysters, sausage, and rice. You may think you have died and gone to heaven; however, be glad you didn't because now you can order a second helping.

You couldn't be closer to the French Quarter.

1. Location, Location, Location. Within walking distance of the most famous bars, restaurants, cafes, and antique dealerships in the French Quarter, The Royal Sonesta is perhaps the best home base for visitors looking to be where the action is without having to use a car. I mean, what's the purpose of going to a city with loose open container laws unless you're going to walk and sip?

Bridey's Lucky 7: The Westin at The Woodlands

The Westin at The Woodlands is my new favorite staycation spot for a number of reasons including but not limited to the fact that it's far enough away from work to render it impractical to have to rush back to the office, but within easy driving distance of my house such that I could in theory return home if there were a kitty emergency. But here are seven other reasons why you as well as me will feel lucky to be their guest.

7. The Opportunity to Bathe Under A Rain Cloud. Book an executive suite and you can enjoy a bubble bath in one of the largest tubs I've seen in a long time while gazing at this relaxing cumulo-nimbus portrait.

Photo by Mark Knight.

6. Proximity to The Nestle Tollhouse Cafe. Chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite food. Thus, it is more than reasonable that I regularly require a half dozen or so to consume for last-minute viewings of Undercover Boss. Warm, chewy cookies in many flavors in addition to chocolate chip are available just a hop, skip, and a jump from your room at the Cafe.

YUM!

5. The Crab Cake at CURRENT. There is much competition in the world of crustacean cakes, and many great version can be found in Houston. What distinguishes those at CURRENT is not only their composition (giant chunks of lump crab) but the absolutely divine lemon-dill beurre blanc garnish. But resist the temptation to place a double order because you will need to save room for...

Photo by Bridey

4. The Largest, Most Flavorful Battered Whole Gulf Snapper in Houston. Having eaten many a whole deep-fried fish (sometimes with my bare hands while the cats looked on in disgust), I can attest to the fact that CURRENT's impressive snapper is a good 25% larger than others vended at Houston restaurants. Its main virtue, however, is not its girth, but its unique tongue-tickling flavor due to the confluence of generous amounts of ginger and garlic.  

Photo by Bridey

3. Knowing Who Caught That Big Fish You Just Ate.  Along with any serving of snapper comes a small tag with a tracking the number for that specific fish. Enter the number at GulfWild to learn more details about when, where, and by whom the snapper was snagged. In my case, it was the adorable Captain Charles Graham of the Angela C.

Captain Charles Graham.

2. Herbal Adult Libations at SideBar. After stuffing yourself to the gills on snapper (har), head upstairs to SideBar, where master mixologist Patrick has created a terrific menu of innovative riffs on traditional cocktails. See, for example, the Pineapple Margarita, made with Avion Reposado tequila, tepache (a pineapple spirit from Central Mexico), pineapple liqueur, agave simple syrup, pineapple juice, and house sour. Those partial to ginger like Bridey will also enjoy the Texas Mule, featuring ginger liqueur, Tito's vodka, Ancho Reyes chili liquer, lime, ginger syrup, and Fever Tree ginger beer.  Feeling nerdy and want to chat about all things switchels, shrubs, and other cocktail esoterica? Patrick is always game.

Photo by Bridey.

1. Suite Settings Available For Pre- and Post-Performance Partying. I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do when I'm high off the energy from a smashing performance by Jim Gaffigan or Pittbull at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is to sit in horrendous traffic for the next hour in an attempt to reach the highway. Set up camp at one of the Westin's suites for some pre-show drinks and post-show room service, then zip back home early next morning.