Return to New Orleans

The Ritz suffered as all the other hotels from Katrina and it is now getting back to its previous glory. The off season rates are on a par with other 4- and 5-star hotels in NOLA and a great bargain. For a measly $149 a night I was upgraded to a Courtyard view room, and once in the room, I was treated with a wonderful large fruit plater and two large bottles of mineral and spring water, complements of Myra de Gerstdorff, the general manager. Myra was the last one out after Katrina, and now she is doing everything possible to fully restore this wonderful hotel.
Much of the staff pre-katrina did not return, and there is a working in period for the new staffers, but for pampering and luxury, the Ritz cannot be beat. The fitness center is very large and well equiped including a resistence pool. I am gong back in September for another 5 days.

Mr. B's is back having been completely redone after Katrina and the food is better than ever.

The service is excellent as it was before Katrina. The wait staff are very helpful with wine selections, which having been mostly destroyed are now being built up again and eventually the cellar will be as good as ever. I had the 5 course tale of the cocktail dinner and each course out-did the previous one. I went back a few days later and had a truly wonderful veal chop. This is a don't-miss establishment