
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Best for live jazz, Bourbon Street energy, and a large heated courtyard pool.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a large, music-forward French Quarter hotel on Bourbon Street with courtyard pool access and multiple dining venues; this comparison is for travelers who want Bourbon Street energy and live jazz. Omni Royal Orleans Hotel is a classic full-service hotel deep in the French Quarter with longstanding meeting space and a quieter, traditional hotel vibe; this is for travelers who want a central Jackson Square base and full-service amenities.
Updated · about 0.2 km apart

Best for live jazz, Bourbon Street energy, and a large heated courtyard pool.

Best for a classic, full-service French Quarter stay, events, and a quieter base near Jackson Square.
When The Royal Sonesta New Orleans wins: choose the Royal Sonesta if you want immediate Bourbon Street access, nightly live jazz at The Jazz Playhouse, a variety of on-site dining (including Restaurant R'evolution and Desire Oyster Bar), and one of the larger heated courtyard pools in the Quarter.
When Omni Royal Orleans Hotel wins: pick the Omni for a more traditional hotel experience in the French Quarter with a long-standing brand, extensive meeting and conference rooms in a compact property, and a quieter position for walking to Jackson Square and nearby museums.
Bottom line: both are full-service French Quarter hotels within a short walk of the same attractions; go Royal Sonesta for music, street energy, and poolside socializing, and go Omni Royal Orleans for a classic, business-capable hotel tucked into the heart of the Quarter.
| Category | The Royal Sonesta New Orleans | Omni Royal Orleans Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Music-forward, nightlife- and Bourbon Street-oriented | Classic, traditional full-service French Quarter hotel |
| Location | On Bourbon Street (300 Bourbon St), immediate access to Bourbon Street nightlife | In the heart of the French Quarter (621 Saint Louis St), steps from Jackson Square |
| Size (rooms) | 483 rooms | 345 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All-ages; families welcome (check-in minimum age applies) | |
| Pool(s) | One large outdoor heated courtyard pool (guest access; seasonal/day-pass options exist) | One outdoor heated pool (guest access; pool hoist on site) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues incl. Restaurant R'evolution, Desire Oyster Bar, The Jazz Playhouse, Le Booze, PJ's Coffee Café | The Rib Room plus a coffee shop/cafe, 2 bars/lounges and a poolside bar |
| Spa / wellness | No on-site spa published | Not published |
| Meetings & events | Large event program (20,000+ sq ft across ~20 rooms; Grand Ballroom ~5,000 sq ft) | Conference space ~5,284 sq ft and 11 meeting rooms |
| Known for | Live jazz club, Bourbon Street energy, large courtyard pool | Classic Omni service, central walkable access to Jackson Square and Preservation Hall |
| Pets | Pet-friendly (non-refundable fee $75 per pet, per stay; up to 2 pets) | Pets allowed by arrangement; pet fee published (approx. USD 150 per stay) |
The Royal Sonesta sits directly on Bourbon Street, putting the Quarter’s nightlife, jazz clubs, and people-watching at your doorstep.
Choose Royal Sonesta for direct Bourbon Street access and nightlife-focused stays.
Omni Royal Orleans is located in the heart of the French Quarter with short walks to Jackson Square and several museums.
Choose Omni for a traditional French Quarter base close to Jackson Square and museums.
Royal Sonesta offers a large inventory (483 rooms) with many balcony and suite options tailored to Bourbon Street views and courtyard-facing rooms.
Royal Sonesta is the larger property with more balcony and suite choices for families and groups.
Omni Royal Orleans has a more compact room set (listed 345 room types on supplier listing) with a mix of standard rooms, premier rooms, and multiple suite/penthouse options.
Omni offers a traditional full-service room mix and several suite upgrades for travelers wanting classic hotel comforts.
Royal Sonesta centers dining around several on-site venues from fine dining to a jazz-club bar and Bourbon Street casual options.
Royal Sonesta is best if you want a range of on-site dining and live-music evenings without leaving the hotel.
Omni Royal Orleans offers a signature restaurant and several bar options suitable for standard hotel dining and quieter meals.
Omni is a good choice if you prefer traditional hotel dining and quieter bar/lounge spaces near Jackson Square.
Royal Sonesta features a large heated outdoor courtyard pool that often serves as a social focal point.
Royal Sonesta’s courtyard pool is a major draw for guests who want on-site swim and poolside socializing.
Omni Royal Orleans has one outdoor pool available to guests with some accessible features.
Omni’s pool is suitable for relaxation and is wheelchair-accessible, but Royal Sonesta is the more pool-focused option.
Royal Sonesta mixes a 24-hour fitness center with nightly live jazz at an on-site club and Bourbon Street nightlife.
Royal Sonesta blends fitness access with active nightlife and live-music programming.
Omni Royal Orleans provides fitness and quieter evening options while supporting meetings and events with many meeting rooms.
Omni is aimed at guests who want standard fitness plus quieter bar nights and strong meeting capabilities.

The Royal Sonesta — immediate Bourbon Street access and The Jazz Playhouse bring music and late-night energy to the hotel.

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel — established conference and banquet facilities with 11 meeting rooms and dedicated event space.

The Royal Sonesta — a larger courtyard pool often cited as one of the biggest in the French Quarter and a social hub.

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel — a central Quarter location steps from Jackson Square that’s set slightly away from Bourbon Street’s immediate bustle.
The Royal Sonesta is located on Bourbon Street and puts Bourbon Street’s nightlife and street activity just outside the door; Omni Royal Orleans is nearby but set off Bourbon Street closer to Jackson Square.
Yes — both properties welcome guests of all ages. Note both properties have minimum check-in age policies (Royal Sonesta requires the registering guest to be 21+; Omni’s check-in minimum is 18 per supplier listing).
Omni Royal Orleans lists about 5,284 sq ft of conference space and 11 meeting rooms; Royal Sonesta publishes a larger total event footprint across many rooms and ballrooms (over 20,000 sq ft across ~20 rooms).
Royal Sonesta does not publish an on-site spa. Omni Royal Orleans’ supplier listing does not publish an on-site spa (Not published).
Explore how The Royal Sonesta New Orleans stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·