Quintessential English hospitality in New Orleans

By Norah Bradford

A short walk from the famed French quarter, home to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana is a hotel which to paraphrase war poet Rupert Brooke "is a corner… That is for ever England". Celebrating its 30th Anniversary this establishment began as the vision of New Orleans entrepreneur and Anglophile James J. Coleman, Jr. who thought a location just north of the French Quarter was the very place to build a grand hotel inspired by England's Windsor Castle, complete with classic art and high tea.

Over the years the Hotel has enjoyed a discrete following by visiting Royalty as well as notable persons – Her Royal Highness Princess Anne greeted the attendees of the Hotel's 1984 opening. Ginger Rogers danced in La Chinoiserie and comedian George Burns smoked the first cigar ever lit in the Polo Club Lounge.

Some 80% of the 316 Hotel rooms are spacious suites and the recent completion of a refurbishment in excess of $20 million has helped ensue that the charm of the hotel is complemented by modern amenities. The efforts of the staff and investment in the establishment is reflected in its four star Forbes and AAA Four Diamond status.

The spa at Windsor Court offers a pool, spa and fitness centre. The spa offers a wide range of services including signature treatments such as the Triple Crown and The Monarch. The Triple Crown begins with warm stones to ground and relax the body before cleansing of hands and feet with warm scented towels. The use of pressure point massage on scalp and head, moves to hands and finishes with the feet. The Monarch is a detoxification wrap treatment and probably the ideal cure for too much fun in the Big Easy. Dry body brushing is followed by a sedating massage using aromatherapy oils. You are cocooned in layers to assist the body in eliminating unwanted toxins, as you enjoy a lavish head and scalp massage.

The Polo Club Lounge and Cocktail Bar offer guests an ideal place to meet, begin or conclude a great night out in New Orleans. The Polo Club lounge has all the feel of a private Club in England with décor, art and objet d'art alongside a very well-stocked bar and knowledgeable staff.

The Cocktail Bar located on the ground floor to the right of the main entrance offers an experience focused on the cocktail with a seasonal menu created by Mixologist Kent Westmoreland and supplemented with small plates from Chef de Cuisine Daniel Causgrove. There are two dining options within the Windsor Court, the Grill Room and Le Salon. The Grill Room serves an impressive contemporary American menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards including One of New Orleans' only four-star/ four-diamond restaurant—2014 Forbes(formerly Mobil) Four Star dining award, AAA Four Diamond dining award winner and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
Le Salon is focused upon the proper service of Afternoon Tea. Accompanied by music from a pianist or harpist, Le Salon offers a selection of some twentysix varieties of tea alongside sandwiches and pastries. Afternoon is a classic experience and opportunity to break during the heat of day and rest ahead of the evening ahead in New Orleans.
For more information:
windsorcourthotel.com