Historic Luxury: Discover the Higgins Hotel in New Orleans

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The Higgins Hotel in New Orleans.
The Higgins Hotel is conveniently located across the street from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo credit: Higgins Hotel, Curio Collection Hilton

Welcome to the Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, and the official hotel of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  A  convenient location right across the street from the museum is the first thing you’ll appreciate.  Offering unparalleled luxury and service, the Higgins Hotel features 230 era-inspired guest rooms and specialty suites, premium amenities, full-service restaurant, lounge, and a rooftop bar.

What sets the Higgins Hotel apart from any other is its rich history of time and place.  When you walk into the Higgins Hotel, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to another decade. The Art Deco posters, pictures, artifacts, and oh, the nostalgic music floating in the air take you back to the 1940s, back to a bittersweet time in American history when the world was at war. Staying at the Higgins Hotel just enhances your entire historic experience.

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The Higgins hotel's art decorations.
Check-in at the Higgins Hotel with its Art Deco campaign for the war effort. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

This full-service hotel features a variety of restaurants and bars. Try Café Normandie, open for breakfast and lunch, Kilroy’s for cocktails, and Rosie’s on the Roof for exquisite views of the New Orleans skyline. Provisions is your place for grab-and-go options, snacks and souvenirs.

I loved being a guest of this hotel because of its outstanding location that let me go back and forth between the hotel and the museum easily. Staying in the Warehouse & Arts District also gave me easy access to other museums like the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and more.

Who was Andrew Higgins?

The Higgins Hotel name reflects the contributions of the extraordinary entrepreneur, Andrew Higgins. He designed and built over 20,000 boats in New Orleans that were used in every major amphibious assault of World War II. It was thanks to his innovative engineering feat that America and her allies won the war.  

Luxurious Accommodations

The rooms at Higgins Hotel are comfortable and as elegant as they come.
Comfort and elegance await you at the Higgins Hotel. Photo credit: Higgins Hotel, Curio Collection Hilton

The Higgins’ spacious accommodations range from traditional rooms to elaborate suites that pay homage to past presidents that guarantee a restful night’s sleep. You’ll find all of the latest conveniences and high-tech touches, including premium, ultra-comfortable beds, plush linens and towels, handsome desks and stylish seating areas.  The walk-in shower and designer bath accessories were wonderful.  The mini-fridge was also appreciated as a great place to keep my delicious leftovers I couldn’t bear to leave behind. In the Presidential Suites, you’ll also find Big Band Era 33 LP Records and Crosley Record Player, certainly a flashback to the era.

Book the spacious Roosevelt Suite at the Higgins Hotel.
Spacious Roosevelt Suite at the Higgins Hotel. Photo credit: Higgins Hotel, Curio Collection Hilton

Their largest suite is the Roosevelt Suite, almost 1,000 square feet, on the 8th floor facing the museum. This residential style  suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, custom chandeliers, and original artwork. The en-suite bathroom features a soaking tub and walk-in shower.

The Higgins hotel has lounges almost everywhere; including where you take the lift from.
Even the area where you take the elevator has a lounge, also filled with World War II paraphernalia at the Higgins Hotel. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Go Straight to the Top at Rosie’s on the Roof

Catch expansive views from  the Roof at the Higgins Hotel.
Expansive views from Rosie’s on the Roof at the Higgins Hotel. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Rosie’s on the Roof pays homage to Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of the women who worked in factories during the war, producing supplies for ammunition, ships and even planes. Known as one of the best rooftop bars in NOLA, the menu includes small plates, salads and burgers accompanied by signature brews and cocktails. I’d start with the Crispy Fried Brussel Sprouts and Crab Beignets. Then try the Rosie’s Cheeseburger, which was out of this world or the Spring Bibb Salad.  Be sure to take a picture of yourself with Rosie and then step out to the casual rooftop bar and lounge for breathtaking views of the New Orleans skyline. Rosie’s is open every day and doesn’t miss their happy hour from 4-6 pm.

Enjoy chicken shawarma at Rosie’s on the Roof of the Higgins hotel.
Chicken Shawarma at Rosie’s on the Roof. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Enjoy French-inspired cuisine at Cafe Normandie

Enjoy a farmer’s Breakfast at Cafe Normandie, in Higgins Hotel with exquisite cheesy potatoes.
Farmer’s Breakfast at Cafe Normandie with exquisite cheesy potatoes. Photo credit Mira Temkin

Start out at Café Normandie, open for breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch,  showcasing French-influenced cuisine. I had a hard time deciding between the Po Boy, and the Smoked Salmon Benedict. But I ultimately went with the wholesome Farmer’s Breakfast with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, and potatoes, which boosted my energy for the day.  

Kilroy’s Bar & Lounge – Grab a Cocktail Here

Kilroy’s is named after the cartoon cultural icon during the war, “Kilroy was here,” representing locations where U.S. soldiers had been stationed. Now, it’s a great place to relax and unwind after a day of visiting the museum. Enjoy a casual menu of cocktails, bar bites, and shareable plates with a distinctly Southern accent. Try their crab beignets or oyster po boys in their sophisticated lobby-level bar and lounge.  

PROVISIONS has everything you need in New Orleans.
PROVISIONS has everything you need. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Hungry for a snack?  Head to PROVISIONS, which is open every day from 6 am – 10 pm. Stock up on house-made treats and grab-and-go favorites as well as specialty coffees, beer and wine.  If you’re looking for a souvenir, they carry water bottles, books

T-shirts and other World War II momentos.  

Find out more about their Special Packages

The Higgins Hotel offers seasonal packages and specials, including exclusive packages in conjunction with The National WWII Museum. Their Museum Package with Breakfast includes 2-Day Admission to The National WWII Museum and Daily Breakfast for registered adults.

More Upscale Amenities

Check out the fitness center with the latest state of the art equipment, the 24-hour business center, and concierge services for tours, dining reservations and more. Enjoy flat screen televisions, complimentary wireless Internet access, large, in-room safes and desks.

Convenient Location

The hotel is located at 1000 Magazine Street and is around a quarter mile from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from the bustling Canal Street. I found plenty of places to walk to for breakfast and shopping.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Higgins Hotel because of the luxurious amenities  as well as the staff who were eager to please at every turn. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. For a truly memorable experience, go to reservations at the Higgins Hotel and plan your visit to New Orleans and the National World War II Museum.

With more than 20 years of travel writing under her bling-y belt, Mira Temkin understands the expectations of the leisure traveler and writes to those expectations. From destinations to tours to cruises and luxury resorts, her articles cover the world: across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Central America, South America and Europe. She is a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and past member of the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Mira always has her bags packed and is ready to go! You can read her other travel stories at miratemkintravel.com.
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