Ashford Hospitality Trust has entered into a new franchise agreement with Marriott International to convert its Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans to a Tribute Portfolio property. The conversion will take place in the first quarter of 2024.
The theme Turning History on its Head will drive the redesign and 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.
Every element of the new Sazz Bar will draw inspiration from the deep amber color of the New Orleans staple cocktail—the Sazerac— to create a moody, modern bar decorated 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.
Ashford Hospitality Trust believes that post-conversion, the new Tribute Portfolio property should realize a 10 percent to 20 percent RevPAR premium compared to a stabilized pre-conversion basis. Remington Hospitality will continue to be the property manager.
Located in downtown New Orleans on historic Poydras Street, the 226-room Le Pavillon Hotel is known as the "Belle of New Orleans." It sits adjacent to the historic French Quarter, is four blocks from Bourbon Street and is close to the restaurants and antique shops of Royal Street. The Le Pavillon Hotel was built in 1907 and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
"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," Ashford Trust's President and CEO Rob Hays said in a statement. "We remain focused on maximizing the value of our assets and look forward to realizing an enhanced financial performance from this property post conversion."