Kimpton to Re-Emerge in New Orleans With Hotel Fontenot

The boutique property will debut in early 2020

by Jessi Minneci | November 18, 2019

Following a 15-year absence in the Big Easy, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants will re-establish its New Orleans presence with the opening of Hotel Fontenot in early 2020.

The project will transform the former Staybridge Suites New Orleans and three adjacent historic New Orleans buildings into a boutique, 202-room hotel located just blocks from the Central Business District and the French Quarter, near the Ernest N Morial Convention Center, Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center. Hotel Fontenot will offer 8,000 square feet of meeting space, a signature restaurant and bar, and a café. Brooklyn, N.Y.-based MarkZeff Architecture and Interior Design and San Diego-based Delawie Architecture will lead the property's design efforts, which will pay homage to New Orleans' rich musical history and the inspirational musicians behind it. Additional features and amenities will be announced closer to the hotel's grand opening, according to Kimpton. 

Kimpton's former Hotel Monaco New Orleans, which debuted in 2001, closed its doors 15 years ago due to damage sustained during Hurricane Katrina. Fontenot will mark the brand's return to the Louisiana city.

"Returning to New Orleans has been a priority for us for more than a decade," said Mike DeFrino, CEO at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. "This is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the country, drawing people from all over the world to its incredible music, culture and food scene. We're very excited our long-time partner JMI Realty, LLC, will help us bring our signature brand of Kimpton hospitality back to the heart of it all."

The Kimpton brand continues to grow in the U.S. and internationally, with more than 25 Kimpton hotels in 20 global destinations. New properties in Mexico City, Paris, Barcelona, Bali and Shanghai are all scheduled to open over the next five years.