
The Barnett
Best for travelers who want a boutique, design-forward stay with a year-round heated rooftop pool, on-site music and several in-house restaurants within walking distance of downtown attractions.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Barnett is a 234-room JdV by Hyatt boutique in a restored 1928 Art Deco building in the Warehouse District, aimed at travelers who want design-forward rooms, on-site live music, and a heated rooftop pool. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a well-known 4.5-star Bourbon Street hotel in the French Quarter for travelers who want to be steps from Bourbon Street nightlife and a large branded property with extensive meeting space.
Updated · about 1.2 km apart

Best for travelers who want a boutique, design-forward stay with a year-round heated rooftop pool, on-site music and several in-house restaurants within walking distance of downtown attractions.

Best for guests who want to be in the heart of the French Quarter with immediate Bourbon Street access, multiple restaurants and bars, and large meeting/banquet facilities.
When The Barnett wins: Choose The Barnett if you prefer a boutique Art Deco property with a focused food-and-music program, a rooftop pool and bar, and a quieter Warehouse District base that’s still within easy reach of the French Quarter.
When The Royal Sonesta New Orleans wins: Pick the Royal Sonesta if you need to be steps from Bourbon Street, want a larger full-service hotel with more meeting/banquet capacity and multiple on-site dining outlets tied to a recognizable brand.
Bottom line: Both hotels put you close to core New Orleans attractions, but the choice comes down to scale and scene — The Barnett for boutique rooftop vibes and curated dining/music; the Royal Sonesta for Bourbon Street location, scale and convention-friendly facilities.
| Category | The Barnett | The Royal Sonesta New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Boutique, Art Deco design with a music-forward program | Larger, classic French Quarter hotel centered on Bourbon Street energy |
| Destination | New Orleans, LA (Warehouse District) | |
| Size (guest rooms) | 234 rooms and suites | 483 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Family / ages | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21 to check in | All ages welcome (property not adults-only); primary guest minimum age listed as 21 for booking |
| Pools | Heated rooftop pool with sun loungers and a pool bar | Outdoor pool with poolside bar and pool hoist; guest pool hours published by property |
| Restaurants & bars | Five on-site venues including Seaworthy, Brutto Americano, All Good cafe, Lobby Bar and rooftop High Five | Multiple restaurants and bars (2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, poolside bar and coffee shop on site) |
| Spa & wellness | Fitness center open 24 hours; no on-site named spa published | 24-hour fitness facilities; no on-site named spa published (spa services described as nearby in listings) |
| Nightlife & live music | Near-nightly live music at on-site venue Good Measure and rooftop programming | Immediate Bourbon Street nightlife and an on-site nightclub |
| Meetings & events | About 16,000+ sq ft of event space with a 4,000 sq ft Barnett Hall (up to 500 capacity) | About 20,000 sq ft of conference/banquet space with multiple meeting rooms and a ballroom |
| Distance between properties | about 1.2 km from Royal Sonesta (walkable in most weather) | |
The Barnett sits at 600 Carondelet St in the Warehouse District, a few blocks from the National WWII Museum and Lafayette Square.
A great base for museum visits, streetcar sightseeing and an alternative to the French Quarter bustle.
The Royal Sonesta is on 300 Bourbon St in the French Quarter — literally steps from Bourbon Street and close to Jackson Square.
A front-row French Quarter address for visitors who want to be in the middle of Bourbon Street activity.
The Barnett offers 234 individually styled rooms and suites inside a restored 1928 Art Deco building.
Boutique-sized inventory with design-focused rooms and a mix of patio and suite options.
The Royal Sonesta lists 483 individually decorated guestrooms that emphasize classic French Quarter styling.
A large, full-service room inventory geared toward both leisure and group travelers in the French Quarter.
The Barnett focuses on five on-site dining and drinking venues covering seafood, Italian, cafe service and a rooftop bar.
A tightly curated culinary program with a seaside-leaning seafood spot and a rooftop social scene.
The Royal Sonesta offers multiple restaurants and bars on site, including poolside service and daytime café options.
Broad F&B options inside the hotel combined with immediate access to French Quarter restaurants and bars.
The Barnett’s signature amenity is its heated rooftop pool and accompanying High Five bar and terrace.
Rooftop pool and bar serve as a key draw — especially for guests who want a daytime swim with skyline views.
The Royal Sonesta has an outdoor pool with poolside bar service as part of its French Quarter offering.
A traditional outdoor hotel pool serving guests who want an on-site swim while staying in the French Quarter.
The Barnett mixes a 24-hour fitness center with near-nightly live music at an on-site venue.
A good fit for travelers who want late-night live music plus around-the-clock fitness access.
The Royal Sonesta combines a 24-hour fitness center with Bourbon Street nightlife and an on-site nightclub.
Best for guests who prioritize being in the middle of French Quarter nightlife while retaining hotel fitness amenities.

The Barnett — heated rooftop pool with terrace, private cabanas and a rooftop bar.

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans — steps from Bourbon Street and French Quarter attractions.

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans — roughly 20,000 sq ft of conference/banquet space and multiple meeting rooms.

The Barnett — five distinct on-site venues and an on-site music venue with near-nightly programming.
The Royal Sonesta is on Bourbon Street; The Barnett is in the Warehouse District and is about a 10–20 minute walk to the French Quarter depending on your route.
The Royal Sonesta lists about 20,000 sq ft of conference space and multiple meeting rooms; The Barnett has over 16,000 sq ft and a 4,000 sq ft Barnett Hall.
Both have outdoor guest pools: The Barnett’s is a heated rooftop pool and social bar; the Royal Sonesta has an outdoor pool with poolside bar service. The rooftop setting at The Barnett creates a different vibe than a ground-level French Quarter pool.
Neither property listing publishes a named on-site spa; spa and wellness treatments are cited as available nearby or via local providers.
Explore how The Barnett stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·