The Reception Area at The Roosevelt New Orleans. Photo: Terri Guthrie
In this episode of Travel with Terri, travel journalist Terri Guthrie takes us directly onsite to The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Sitting down in the beautiful Fountain Lounge with the hotel's Marketing Manager, Les Patin, Terri explores over 133 years of architectural marvels, legendary cocktail history, and the old-world grandeur that makes this property an American icon.
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✨ Key Takeaways From This Episode:
1. A Block-Long Masterpiece
If you have ever walked through the doors of The Roosevelt, you know its magic begins immediately. Les and Terri dive into the details of the jaw-dropping grand lobby, which spans an entire city block from Roosevelt Way to Barone Street. Paved with pristine marble floors, soaring columns, and glittering chandeliers, the lobby underwent a massive restoration in 2009 to bring back its original Art Deco and Beaux-Arts style.
Terri also uncovers the magic of their famous winter traditions. Every December, the space transforms into a holiday spectacle packed with:
112,000 twinkling lights wrapped around birch trees.
4,000 glass ornaments.
42 beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
The one city block long lobby. Photo: Terri Guthrie
2. Political Scandals & Flying Bartenders
Founded in 1893 as The Grunewald Hotel, the property was renamed "The Roosevelt" in 1923 by the Vaccaro brothers to honor Teddy Roosevelt following the completion of the Panama Canal.
But perhaps its most colorful historical character was Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long. Les shares a hilarious history lesson about how Long practically ran state politics from the hotel's 12th floor—and how seriously he took his cocktails. When a bartender at the New Yorker Hotel failed to correctly make his favorite drink, the Ramos Gin Fizz, Long actually flew The Roosevelt’s head bartender out to New York to teach them the proper recipe!
The Sazerac Bar inside The Roosevelt New Orleans. Photo: Terri Guthrie
3. Storming the Sazerac Bar
The Sazerac Bar is a restored landmark older than the hotel itself. Les recounts the famous history of "The Storming of the Sazerac". Back when the bar was strictly men-only, the hotel's General Manager, Seymour Weiss, invited women to storm the bar on September 26, 1949, demanding equality and a stiff drink. Today, the hotel still celebrates this milestone every year with a 1940s-attire ladies' luncheon and a ceremonial re-enactment second-line march through the lobby.
Rooftop Pool at The Roosevelt New Orleans. Photo: Terri Guthrie
4. Culinary Delights & The Red Velvet King Cake
From the sophisticated French-inspired seafood of Chef Joe Turley at the Fountain Lounge to the elite pastries of Chef Kareena Dennis at Teddy’s Cafe, the food at The Roosevelt is unmatched. Les highlights a spectacular fusion of traditions: Chef Kareena's famous Red Velvet King Cake. Blending traditional New Orleans King Cake dough with a rich red velvet style, chocolate chips, cream cheese frosting, and a dusting of gold, it sells out almost instantly every Mardi Gras season.
5. Next-Level Recovery and Relaxation
Beyond the signature Waldorf mattresses and luxurious views, Terri and Les explore the world-class Waldorf Astoria Spa. Designed to help guests find balance after indulging in New Orleans' rich food and cocktails, the spa features innovative contrast therapy suites (complete with saunas and a cold plunge) alongside anti-gravity recovery chairs equipped with Therabody leg compression and infrared masks.
Links & Resources
Learn more about The Roosevelt New Orleans:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/msyrhwa-the-roosevelt-new-orleans
Learn more about Terri's travels:
- Travel with Terri: https://www.travelwithterri.com/
- Travel with Terri Podcast: https://www.travelwithterri.com/podcast
- The Luxe Explorer Magazine: https://www.travelwithterri.com/magazine