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.

I'm more of a Marriott (Courtyard at that) price range type of a person, but most rooms in the French Quarter were sold out. It was between the Ritz Carlton (Papa Noel rates in December) or the Best Western. It seemed like a no brainer and it was.

The bed was luxurious as were the robes. I took all of the toiletries. Also, I got back to my room around midnight and there was an ice bucket full of unmelted ice waiting for me when I got in. The shower was kind of a letdown, but you're dealing with below sea level water pressure.

The location is the only drawback. There was about a block there that was a little seedy before you hit areas with lots of tourists.

I had the best cheeseburger I've ever eaten in the bar - where there was a band playing some jazzed up Christmas music. I wouldn't have felt comfortable wearing jeans in the bar though.