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JW Marriott New Orleans is Extra Special! |
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Written by Mr Five Star
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New Orleans July 2008: Here is something I didn’t know. There are now more restaurants in New Orleans then prior to Katrina. Yes, New Orleans is alive and very well. In fact if you didn’t know of the disaster and drove in from the west on I-10 and then drove down Canal Street you may not realize anything had happened. I recently visited the Big Easy twice in 30 days. Each visit I stayed at the JW Marriott on Canal Street. What an excellent property, almost like a Ritz Carlton, lots of “my pleasures” and with genuine heartfelt meaning.  They must be doing something right because I met 3 staff people who had been with the hotel for 8, 11 and 22 years respectively. I am aware that this JW had been a Meridian hotel 5 years ago, but none the less what an excellent testimony for its management.
Here is an interesting example I happened to be a part of. Upon arriving at check-in June 18, 2008 I asked the front desk clerk if someone could arrange for my jacket and trousers to be pressed by 5 pm. His most unexpected reply was “sorry sir we don’t even have a laundry here”. What? I couldn’t believe he was saying this, even if it were true. JW’s are known to solve the impossible; surly this was a simple request. He did follow up when he saw the bewildered expression on my face. He then said, “perhaps the Concierge may have a suggestion”.
Before I tell you the “rest of the story” you need to know my frame of mind at that moment. Upon arriving in New Orleans I set my navigation system to 614 Canal Street, the address JW gives on their web site. When the voice prompt said “you have arrived at your destination” I saw the JW Marriott sign and a sign for Schula’s Steak house. There was no one to help me with my luggage, no valet. Wow! What a strange entrance to this JW! There was only a single space in front of the door. As my frustration level started to escalate I proceeded to grab my bags, locked the car and started toting my luggage down this long marble hallway, looking for the check-in desk. I first saw Schula’s Bar on the left, then the hotel bar a little farther on the left. Wow! I know they do a fair amount of drinking down here but this is ridiculous, 2 bars so far and I haven’t even found the check-in desk or any sign for it. Now I started thinking, was I really in the JW Marriott Hotel? Did I somehow make a wrong turn? Just as I was about to start speaking in tongues a bellman appeared and offered assistance. He then informed me the hotel entrance is not on Canal Street as indicated on the hotel web site and in the Marriott directory. You really need to drill down further to discover the Motor lobby entrance is located on the right at 611 Common Street between Camp Street and St. Charles Ave. It seems that the front of the hotel is really in the back and that then becomes the front. Trust me, after you have been there one time you will understand. So, now you will begin to see my anxiety level was becoming taxed quickly. I travel 40 weeks a year and seldom have a problem finding the front of the hotel.
And now the “rest of the story”. The bellman who rescued me in the long marble hall overheard the front desk conversation regarding my trousers and jacket. As he assisted me to my room he inquired about my pressing needs, no pun intended. I told him I needed it done by 5 PM, in about 3 hours. I asked if he knew if that would be possible. His instant reply was “Sir this is the best hotel in New Orleans, we can do anything”. The bellman departed my room with my trousers and jacket and assured me it would be done by 5 PM. Thirty minutes later there was a knock at my door. There stood the same bellman with the pressing complete. I asked him how he was able to have it done so quickly. His reply again was “Sir, this is the JW Marriott, the best hotel in New Orleans; I told you we can do anything”. Needless to say I handed him a substantial tip.
Please excuse me as I make this story just a bit longer. When I checked out I looked on my bill for the pressing charge. There was nothing indicated whatsoever. It was then that I realized what I think happened. This ambitious bellman seized the moment to rise to the occasion. He took it upon himself to either find a vacant room and do the pressing himself or commandeered one of his co-workers to do it for him. None the less the mission was completed and I was the happy guest.
I found the head bellman as I was departing the hotel the following day and asked for the name of the bellman that assisted me the previous day, as I wanted to again thank him and give a note to the hotel manager relating this person’s exemplary performance. It was then that I discovered this person who helped me was a trainee, new on the job. Now that was something I didn’t see coming. I would have thought he was a seasoned employee for many years.
Will I stay at this JW Marriott the next time I visit New Orleans? You bet I will! And I did July 9th . This time I was able to find my way to the motor entrance with ease, and like Cheers, everyone knew my name. The head bellman greeted me with “welcome back Mr. Crider, how was your trip to Dallas”? The front desk clerk inquired if I would be trying Luke’s Restaurant and Heather the bartender offered me more suggestions for dining after the obligatory Schula’s suggestion. Hey, Bill Marriott, this one belongs in your Blogs.
Click here to go directly to the JW Marriott New Orleans web site.
Please look for my next article featuring the John Besh’s Restaurants, August and Luke, two excellent additions to my favorites list in New Orleans here on the www.MrFiveStar.com web site.
MrFiveStar is Ron Crider, a freelance Travel and Technical writer. Ron is a world traveler, broadcaster, communications engineer, Travel TV producer and former airline executive. Crider hosts the World Travel and Dining Channel Internet radio station http://www.wtdradio.com/. Crider is also the founder and president of http://www.mrfivestar.com/ publications. Ron can be reached at
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