Grand Opening Roosevelt Hotel In New Orleans

Half asleep this morning, Alberto already up watching the news, is when I heard a little birdie tell me that the old Fairmont Hotel that was damaged during Hurricane Katrina is having it's grand reopening this weekend, reborn under its original name of The Roosevelt Hotel.
It's decor will be restored to echo it's mid 20th century heyday.


The Sazerac is one of the oldest known cocktails, with its origins in pre-Civil War New Orleans, Louisiana. The original drink is based on a combination of Cognac and bitters created by Antoine Amédée Peychaud in the 1830s, and is reported to be the first cocktail ever invented in America. [1] Since its creation, many different recipes have evolved for the drink, usually involving some combination of Cognac, rye whiskey, absinthe, pastis, Peychaud's Bitters, and Angostura bitters. The Sazerac cocktail was named by John Schiller in 1859 upon the opening of his Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans. Both most likely derive their name from a popular brand of Cognac, Sazerac-du-Forge et fils .
The Fairmont had a bar called The Sazerac that was nearly as famous as its namesake, and the new Roosevelt is bringing back the bar, again with decor to reference its vintage.

John Besh is overseeing the kitchens, and lots of work has been going for years to get ready for the re-opening. The Fairmont is one of those hotels that mean alot to New Orleanians, so everyone is thrilled. Here are some fun facts:

• Before the hotel was The Fairmont, it was The Roosevelt, the hotel which inspired Arthur Hailey’s 1965 novel Hotel
• The Blue Room was famous in the 1930s through the 1960s as a supper club. Live entertainment will again be hosted in The Blue Room
• Legend has it that infamous Louisiana governor Governor Huey P. Long loved the hotel so much, he had a 90 mile highway constructed that led from the governor's mansion in Baton Rouge straight to the New Orleans hotel.
• The Sazerac Bar is famous for its Sazerac Cocktails and Ramos Gin Fizzes, both of which will be served in the bar again when it reopens.

Fairmont Christmas

The yearly Christmas decorations in the lobby are a dearly beloved tradition. When I first saw them I thought they were kind of over rated and uh tacky. But as the years passed I came to love them much in the same way I came to love beads, and the color combination purple, gold, and green.
After Katrina Harrah's Casino and Hotel recreated the Fairmont's Christmas decor outdoors in a little alley on Fulton Street, and somehow nice at is was, it was a pale replica.

Fulton Street

One of the most highly anticipated spaces being rebirthed and recreated in its original glory is the beloved Blue Room.
The Blue Room - legendary with locals, visitors and celebrities - will return to The Roosevelt New Orleans. In the golden era of supper clubs from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Blue Room played host to some of the best-known names in entertainment and big bands - including Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Marlene Dietrich, and Sonny and Cher - as well as to elaborate floor shows.


The Blue Room was another one of those places that was a rite of passage as one grew up in New Orleans. Parents here take their children to restaurants starting at an early age, so that by the time they are adults they are well versed in the art and pleasures of dining out.

In addition to hosting Sunday brunch and regular entertainment, the Blue Room again will be available for the most special of special events, including weddings and carnival balls.

So they're putting on the final touches, and I can hardly wait! I will certainly post photos when I see all the restored decor in its glory.

Posted in: new nola STYLE, New Orleans