The NOPSI Hotel Review: Wife's 40th Birthday Celebration
Overall, our stay at the NOPSI Hotel was enjoyable, though not without a few hiccups. Here's a detailed breakdown of the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Booking Experience:
Pros:
The online booking process was straightforward, user-friendly, and informative. After securing our reservation, I contacted the hotel to arrange some special touches for my wife's birthday, such as room decorations. The staff was accommodating and made these arrangements with ease.
Cons:
The system for booking add-ons was disappointing. There's no option to customize these extras by day, so selecting one meant being charged for the entire stay, even when not needed daily.
Despite requesting a confirmation email four times, it never arrived. Fortunately, I was able to call and speak to reservations directly, and they provided the confirmation code over the phone.
The Arrival Experience!
Pros:
Our arrival on Thursday was met with the warmest welcome. Kevin, the bellman, was fantastic--radiating that signature New Orleans charm. He was attentive and made sure everything was seamless. Sean at the front desk was equally delightful--soft-spoken and courteous, he ensured a smooth check-in.
Kevin escorted us to our room, turned on the lights, and made sure everything was perfect. It definitely was!
Cons:
None--our arrival was flawless.
The Stay!
Pros:
There were many positive aspects to our stay:
The room's climate control was excellent, keeping us comfortable throughout.
Noise levels were minimal, allowing for peaceful sleep.
The bathroom was clean, modern, and well-maintained.
The lobby was inviting, clean, and had a pleasant atmosphere.
The front desk staff was consistently helpful and friendly.
Cons:
A few issues did put a damper on the experience:
The refrigerator in our room didn't work, and we were told it was just meant for storage. A functioning fridge was brought up, but it didn't work either, resulting in spoiled food--a frustrating inconvenience.
The rooftop pool was a mixed experience. The female bartender seemed uninterested in her job, and her cocktails were inconsistent in both taste and ingredients. On the other hand, the male bartender (whose name I can't recall) was excellent--his drinks were spot-on every time!
By Sunday, the pool water was cloudy to the point where you couldn't see the bottom--quite off-putting.
A significant number of people at the pool appeared to be there for the Eagles/Saints game, and not actually hotel guests (at least according to what they told us).
Housekeeping was a major disappointment. They made the bed but did little else. Trash wasn't removed, the floors weren't vacuumed, and the furniture wasn't wiped down. In fact, housekeeping only visited our room once during our entire four-night stay.
The breakfast was another letdown--particularly room service. I wouldn't recommend it.
The lobby restroom was not well-maintained. I'll spare the details, but it was not up to par for a hotel of this caliber.
Only one elevator was operational during our stay, which became a running joke among guests, but it was a real inconvenience.
Departure:
Pros:
Dexter at the front desk was a standout. He took the time to go over our bill, address any questions, and was incredibly pleasant and professional throughout. It's a great final impression.
Cons:
None--the departure process was as smooth as could be.
Final Thoughts!
While we enjoyed parts of our stay, particularly the staff's warmth and hospitality, there were several areas where the hotel fell short. Housekeeping and maintenance, in particular, need significant improvement. All things considered, I would rate this hotel 3 stars at best. While I wouldn't choose to stay here again, I might pop by just to say hello to Kevin, who truly made our stay memorable.
I hope this review is helpful to future guests and serves as constructive feedback for the hotel. read more