NEW ORLEANS -- The Whitney, a 93-room Wyndham hotel, opened here.
The property, Wyndham's fourth in this city, is located downtown
and caters to both leisure and business travelers.
The introductory rate, offered during Thanksgiving and
Christmas, represents a bargain for motorcoach operators: $119 per
night, double.
Rack rates, as of Oct. 1, will range from $339 for deluxe rooms,
and will be based on projected occupancy, according to a
reservations department employee. Corporate rates also can be
quoted.
The hotel's regular group rates apply to blocks of 12 or more
rooms, she said. The hotel, with Beaux Arts architecture, was
created out of a $10 million renovation of the 110-year-old Whitney
Bank building, listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
The chain said the building's original 30-foot ornate ceilings
and mosaic floors were combined with modern-day furniture to
reflect the charm and eclectic style of New Orleans.
"The Whitney building has been a part of New Orleans since 1890,
and we are excited to have had the opportunity to continue the
preservation of its architecture by providing the city with a hotel
embedded in local history," said Lenny Wormser, owner and developer
of the hotel.
In an effort to maintain the building's historic features,
restoration of several items, such as the ground floor bank vault,
iron gates and an original brass chandelier, were integrated into
the hotel's architecture.
The bell and guest service desks, restaurant, lobby and lobby
library -- along with an original bank vault that has been
transformed into a private dining area for 10 -- can be found on
the first floor.
The Poydras branch of the Whitney Bank also is on the ground
floor.
Facilities for corporate meetings and social events are
available. 56 Degrees is the hotel's signature restaurant and is
named after the optimal temperature at which wine is stored.
The 80-seat restaurant features a Creole-Asian cuisine. The
hotel is owned by the Whitney Hotel Limited Partnership and managed
by Wyndham Management Corp., a subsidiary of Wyndham
International.
The Whitney joins three other Wyndhams here: the 437-room
Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place; the 216-room Bourbon Orleans-A
Wyndham Historic Hotel, and the 202-room Wyndham Riverfront.
For information on the Whitney, call (504) 581-4222.