The National WWII Museum opened its landmark hotel property The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The property is located in the Arts and Warehouse District in New Orleans and features 230 guest rooms, four dining outlets—including the city’s newest rooftop bar—and 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
The hotel is the first in the state of Louisiana to be part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, and all proceeds generated will support the ongoing educational mission of the Museum.
“We are thrilled to open the doors of The Higgins Hotel,” said Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO of The National WWII Museum. “With its amazing restaurants and one-of-a-kind historical experiences for guests, we truly believe the Hotel will become a notable destination within the Arts and Warehouse District.”
As an extension of the museum, the hotel sits directly on the campus and tells the story of World War II through the unique lens of design, decor, era-inspired menus and entertainment.
Architectural firm Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates gave the hotel its 1940s-themed details, drawing inspiration not only from the time period but also from Art Deco buildings found in New Orleans.
Kay Lang + Associates led the interior design, while working alongside museum curators to hand-select artifacts from the institution’s extensive collection to incorporate into the property’s aesthetic.
Among these artifacts are General George S. Patton’s piano; the Higgins Boat Trophy, which was presented to General Arthur Trudeau for his service in the Amphibian Command; and a 1943 portrait of Andrew Jackson Higgins, for whom the Hotel is named.
Upon entry, guests are transported back in time with photos depicting life in New Orleans during the war, and custom acrylic prints of the Medal of Honor, the highest award given to US servicemembers.
Guests’ eyes are then drawn to the grand chandelier and the lobby’s centerpiece—a mural by celebrated Art Deco Artist Michael Kungl depicting wartime factory workers set on the backdrop of the New Orleans skyline.
Just off the lobby lies a bronze staircase, complemented by handmade glass recreations of 40 of the most commonly awarded medals and ribbons of World War II.
Throughout the property, guests enjoy a truly immersive experience by discovering additional nods to the time period, including preserved letters from the war and rare, colorized photos displaying diverse servicemembers contributing to the wartime effort.
The 230 guest rooms and suites are located from the third to eighth floors, and feature era-inspired artwork that showcases various scenes from both the American Home Front and the war overseas.
For a more elevated experience, guests can opt for one of three Presidential Suites, each named and themed after WWII-era presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Roosevelt. The Suites are located on the eighth floor and offer upwards of 1,000 square feet of residential style living space featuring a master bedroom, en suite bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in shower, kitchenette and dining area.
The Eisenhower and Truman Suites both have large balconies showcasing picturesque views of New Orleans, while the Roosevelt Suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame The National WWII Museum.
Dining at the hotel is under the supervision of Executive Chef Virgile Brandel.
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Café Normandie, serves rustic French cuisine influenced by New Orleans’ rich culinary style and history and features Sainte-Mère-Église Private Dining Room
Kilroy’s is the lobby bar, where WWII history enthusiasts enjoy a tribute to the iconic American wartime cartoon character, Kilroy, who brought levity and joy during difficult times and is depicted throughout the bar’s decor.
Also located in the lobby is Provisions, where guests can stop in for fresh, grab-and-go homemade baked goods, coffee and other snacks.
Up at Rosie’s on the Roof—the rooftop bar designed to pay tribute to the hard-working women who developed weaponry, transportation vehicles and supplies from the Home Front—guests can take in panoramic views of the Museum and the New Orleans skyline while sipping craft cocktails.
The hotel’s second floor houses the 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space across 14 venues, including boardrooms, meeting areas and a 6,566-square-foot ballroom.
The conference center will also become a home for many of the museum’s educational programs, including The International Conference on World War II and various symposia, which will livestream directly to guest rooms and public spaces.
Kilroy’s as well as Rosie’s on the Roof are also available for private events, receptions or parties.
As the official hotel of The National WWII Museum, The Higgins Hotel also provides meeting planners with seamless, coordinated access to the museum’s own venue spaces, including the US Freedom Pavilion which can accommodate 1,000 guests.
This information is based off a press release from The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton.
