The property’s owner, Ashford Hospitality Trust, entered into a franchise agreement with Marriott to enable the conversion and rebranding in Q1 2024.
Turning history on its head
Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, the 226-room Le Pavillon Hotel is known as the ‘Belle of New Orleans’. Originally the site of one of the area’s first great plantation homes, the hotel was built in 1907 and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. With a theme of ‘turning history on its head’, its redesign will bring the historic hotel into the present-day.
This vision will be reflected throughout the redesigned property including extensive exterior work upgrading the restaurant, guestrooms, guest bathrooms, corridors as well as reimagining the hotel lobby bar.
Bar inspiration
The new onsite Sazz Bar will draw inspiration from the deep amber colour of the New Orleans staple cocktail – the Sazerac – to create a moody, modern bar in hues of red and orange. A lenticular art piece depicting two sides of a common French icon, a ‘serious’ and a ‘spirited’ Napoleon, will fill the back bar, serving as a reminder of the hotel and the city’s historic ties to French culture.
This planned conversion will create a distinctive theme and style for the luxury hotel that dovetails with the premium Tribute Portfolio product. Remington Hospitality will continue to be the property manager.
Elevation expectation
Rob Hays, Ashford Trust’s president and CEO, commented: “With its prime location and proximity to major demand generators in downtown New Orleans, the transformation of this landmark hotel to a Tribute property is expected to elevate the hotel into a desirable niche in the very attractive New Orleans market.
“We remain focused on maximising the value of our assets and look forward to realising an enhanced financial performance from this property post conversion.”
Upper upscale focus
Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper upscale, full-service hotels.
The firm is also currently converting another US hotel into a Marriott International marque, as the 160-key Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel in Key West, Florida will be rebranded as Marriott Autograph Collection La Concha.
