It actually doesn’t get any more New Orleans than NOPSI. Short for “New Orleans Public Service, Inc.”, NOPSI was who you paid back in the days for your utility service in Nola. Such an institution for so long! The original 1927 constructed building where folks used to among many other things, pay their utility bills every month, has recently been transformed into one of the cities premier luxury hotels.
Just this past week, the NOPSI hotel opened in the CBD which is the area of the city that continues to just kill it. A property owned and operated by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the NOPSI is ornate, sophisticated, and modern, all the while paying intimate tribute to what ‘aint there no more. Here’s some more info directly from The NOPSI…
“Located in the vibrant Central Business District, the nine-story brick building was originally constructed in 1927 by New Orleans’ former utility company and transit operator. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, NOPSI Hotel now features 217 refined guestrooms –including 76 suites – a lively and regionally inspired restaurant, 14,000 square feet of architecturally significant indoor and outdoor meeting space, and a sophisticated rooftop pool and bar.
Dedicated to providing an authentic experience inspired by the rich history of the destination it proudly again serves, the newly re-imagined NOPSI Hotel has undergone a meticulous restoration, returning each space of the grand dame to its original splendor including the building’s street facades, cast iron rails and stone panels. Inside the sweeping lobby, guests will discover faithfully renovated vaulted ceilings, graceful arches, ornamental columns, brass grills and stone terrazzo flooring.
Within a short walk of The French Quarter, The Warehouse District and The Garden District, NOPSI Hotel is located near Lafayette Square and close to major attractions like the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the World War II Museum. Thousands of manhole covers still bear the NOPSI name, which inspired the hotel’s unique logo, adding a sense of nostalgia to a walk down many of The Crescent City’s streets.”
Besides the wide range of rooms you’ll see below, the property also boasts some really great social touchpoint to lose yourself in.
Public Service – The Central Business District’s most dynamic community gathering place, Public Service is a casual-yet-sophisticated restaurant respecting the civic spirit of the former New Orleans Public Service, Inc. With a menu honoring the Gulf Coast’s hard-working fishermen and farmers, Chef Dustin Brien and team prepare contemporary cuisine in an open-display kitchen, highlighted by a modern raw bar and open-flame rotisserie. The vintage design features a two-story glass façade, exposed brick and a custom-built craft bar.
Above the Grid– NOPSI Hotel’s shimmering rooftop pool and bar, Above the Grid, offers a hot spot for hotel guests, visitors and locals with a unique view of the city’s skyline. By day, the pool is a peaceful oasis for hotel guests with indulgent cabana service. In the evening, the energy level increases and the setting transforms into one of New Orleans’ coolest scenes.
underCURRENT Bar & Patio – Located in the hotel’s classic lobby, underCURRENT Bar & Patio features iconic, vaulted ceilings as the quintessential backdrop for light snacks and an afternoon cocktail experience. Patio guests can enjoy “life as a local” surrounded by wrought-iron accents reminiscent of a Crescent City courtyard.
Billed as one of the most animal friendly properties in New Orleans, The NOPSI caters to our true best friends!
I had planned to stop in during their actual grand-opening last week, but didn’t get a chance to, and found myself stumbling in for a drink recently as I escaped the rain. I was super impressed with insanely vaulted ceilings, as well as the extremely comfortable living room style lobby. I grabbed a few drinks during my tour as well as few bites along the way! Check out the images below…
