NEW ORLEANS WHERE IN THE WORLD by Rose Filice Few cities have a sense of history and culture as distinctive as New Orleans. Set along the Mississippi River, 300 years of global influences, from French and Spanish to African and Caribbean, have shaped its architecture, neighbourhoods, cuisine, music and traditions. That sense of place extends to meetings and events, where diverse spaces, a walkable downtown and Southern charm make the experience unmistakably New Orleans. STORIED STAYS Blending history, luxury and local character, these hotels offer memorable group stays. With museum-quality artwork and antique furnishings, The Windsor Court pairs British-inspired elegance with Southern hospitality. The hotel features 314 guestrooms, 85% of them suites, including Club Level accommodations with Club Lounge access on the top four floors. Eight unique event spaces include the sophisticated La Chinoiserie ballroom, while a rooftop pool, spa, traditional afternoon tea and live jazz complete the experience. thewindsorcourt.com The Ritz Carlton The Windsor Court 76 | Ignitemag.ca | Fall 2026 Housed in a 1908 Beaux Arts building, The Ritz- Carlton, New Orleans features refined interiors inspired by the stately homes of the city’s Garden District. The hotel has 528 guestrooms and suites and nearly 52,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including elegant ballrooms and expansive courtyards. Club Level accommodations offer a “hotel within a hotel” experience, while The Residence, a two- bedroom penthouse suite with a private terrace, is an exclusive option for VIPs. ritzcarlton.com Dating back to 1886, The Monteleone blends historic character with modern amenities. A National Literary Landmark, it has welcomed icons including Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote and, according to legend, a few ghosts that still linger in its halls. The hotel offers 523 guestrooms and suites and more than 27,000 sq. ft. of event space. The Carousel Bar, rotating every 15 minutes, is one of the city’s most distinctive attractions. hotelmonteleone.com , LOUISIANA Fast Facts: neworleans.com/meeting-planners Population: 362,154 (2025) Accommodations: 26,000+ hotel rooms in downtown Getting here: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is 25 minutes from downtown; Air Canada offers non-stop flights from Toronto. Convention space: The LEED Gold-certified New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center offers 1.1 million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space—the largest in the US—plus 140 meeting rooms, a 4,000-seat theatre and ballrooms up to 60,300 sq. ft. PHOTO: THE MONTELEONE Jackson Square The Monteleone PHOTO: THE WINDSOR COURT PHOTO: MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
