BETHESDA, Md.—RLJ Lodging Trust announced that it has opened its Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District. With the opening of this hotel, the company has completed its seventh and final brand conversion that was planned as part of its comprehensive 2011 and 2012 capital program.
“We are excited to open a uniquely designed upscale hotel in New Orleans, a dynamic urban market with multiple demand generators,” said Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., president and chief executive officer. “We expect the Hotel to benefit from the positive trends that we are seeing from the New Orleans market as well as benefit from the positive traction the Indigo brand is making in increasing its brand distribution.”
The hotel operated as an independent hotel until it was closed in 2008. RLJ purchased the distressed hotel in 2010 for $6.4 million. After an extensive $16.9 million renovation, the property reopened as a 132-room Hotel Indigo.
“This hotel’s uniquely modern design truly captures New Orleans’ character,” said Carl Mayfield, senior vice president of design and construction. “The oversized guestrooms and spacious bathrooms combined with the stylish public space design truly highlight New Orleans’ Historic Garden District. The many facets of this hotel’s unique design include locally inspired murals, decorative ironwork, and reclaimed wood ceiling resonate New Orleans and its local culture and flavor.”
New Orleans continues to show strong recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The market area has experienced growth in both population and tourism in recent years. Out of the top 25 U.S. hotel markets that Smith Travel Research tracks, New Orleans revenue per available room growth of 15.9% year-to-date through November has outpaced San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston.
