Hilton New Orleans Riverside

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptional central location, offering direct access to the Riverwalk and placing guests within easy reach of numerous attractions. Its signature feature is its unparalleled proximity to key city highlights, making it an ideal choice for sightseers, cruise passengers, and conference attendees seeking convenience. The hotel is also well-suited for shoppers due to its connection to an outlet mall, and for couples and families looking to explore the city on foot. Guests frequently commend the hotel's cleanliness and the general helpfulness of the staff. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a recently renovated room for a more modern experience, and be prepared for potential costs and availability challenges associated with on-site parking.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. The fitness center is generally well-regarded, described as well-equipped, although some guests note it opens later on weekends. The swimming pool areas are available, but some found them to lack a vibrant atmosphere. Wi-Fi is provided, with most guests finding it reliable, though some experienced occasional drops. The elevators are a frequent topic, often described as old, slow, confusing, or in need of upgrades, with occasional issues with key card readers. Conveniently located within the hotel are a Starbucks, a market place, and various bars, including Public Belt and Spirits, providing easy access to refreshments and social spaces. The conference and ballroom spaces are consistently praised for being spacious and well-designed for large gatherings.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be very clean and well-maintained. However, feedback on room condition is mixed; while many appreciate recently updated and renovated rooms with modern touches like new showers, others describe rooms as dated, tired, or showing signs of wear, with some mentioning issues like moldy bathrooms or frayed carpets. The beds are frequently praised for being comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, though some found specific bed types, like Murphy beds, to be less comfortable. In-room amenities typically include a small fridge and coffee maker, but the absence of a microwave is a common complaint. TVs are often noted as small, old, or having limited channels. Noise can be an issue, with frequent mentions of train noise from nearby tracks, especially in river-view rooms, and occasional elevator noise or sounds from other guests.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers several dining options that receive varied but generally positive feedback. Drago's restaurant is highly recommended by many guests, particularly for its chargrilled oysters, and is often described as excellent and a must-try. The breakfast buffet is consistently praised for its extensive selection, delicious food, and being a great way to start the day, though some guests note it can be expensive or is not always included with the room. Other on-site options, such as the coffee shop and various bars, are appreciated for their convenience and atmosphere. Room service receives mixed reviews, with some finding it prompt and tasty, while others describe it as having a limited menu, being overpriced, or experiencing slow delivery. Some guests were surprised by the cashless policy at certain hotel dining venues.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant highlight, consistently praised for its convenience and walkability. Guests appreciate being within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the French Quarter, the Riverwalk Outlet Mall (which is directly connected), the Convention Center, the cruise terminal, and Caesars Casino. Public transportation, including streetcars and buses, is also easily accessible, providing convenient options for exploring the city. However, parking is a major point of contention for many guests. It is frequently described as expensive, with daily rates often ranging from $42 to $50, and availability can be limited, leading to full garages and long walks from alternative parking lots. Some guests also experienced issues with key card access to the parking garage.

Staff & Service
Feedback on the staff and service is mixed, though many guests report positive experiences. Numerous reviews highlight the friendly staff, describing them as helpful, attentive, professional, and responsive, particularly the concierge and bell desk teams. However, some guests encountered rude, indifferent, or unhelpful staff, especially at the front desk during check-in, with some feeling their presence was an inconvenience. The check-in process itself varies; while some found it quick and seamless, others reported long lines and significant delays, sometimes due to reservation issues or staff inefficiency. Housekeeping generally receives praise for maintaining clean rooms and changing linens daily, but some guests noted inconsistencies, such as rooms not being cleaned or requested items like towels not being delivered. A notable concern raised by some guests was issues with room keys being given to other guests, highlighting a security concern.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of a daily destination fee, typically around $25, which is often not clearly disclosed at the time of booking and can lead to unexpected charges upon checkout. The hotel is notably large and can be confusing to navigate, with some rooms requiring long walks from the front desk and amenities. There are ongoing renovations in certain areas, which means some rooms are updated while others remain dated. Several on-site dining and bar options operate on a cashless policy, which can surprise guests who prefer to use cash. A significant and recurring issue for light sleepers is the train noise, particularly in river-view rooms, as freight trains frequently blow their horns at night. The elevators are often described as old, slow, or prone to breaking down, causing inconvenience. Many guests also expressed frustration over the consistent lack of a microwave in guest rooms.