Jazz Up Your Credit Card Rewards Usage with a Trip to the Luxurious Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans

In a Nutshell: Consumers who have accrued enough credit card rewards to take a vacation have many destinations to choose from. But if you’re using the rewards you’ve spent months — or maybe years — working to build, why not enjoy the spoils of your labor with a little Southern hospitality? The Windsor Court Hotel offers the finest of luxury accommodations in New Orleans, with 316 oversized guest rooms, excellent dining and bar options, a spa, and the opportunity to hear some of the best jazz music the town has to offer. Depending on how many rewards miles or points you’ve accrued, a stay at the Windsor Court may be closer (and cheaper) than you think. //

There was a time when people dressed up when they traveled on an airplane. In the 1950s, the norm was for men to wear a suit and tie, while women wore their best dresses and made the airport runway look more like a fashion show runway.

Air travel, at the time, had class and charm — unlike today when people in sandals and shorts jam the aisles after a flight, and you have to wedge yourself into the crowd just to get off the plane.

Vacations aren’t supposed to be stressful. That’s especially true if you’ve spent a considerable amount of time to save up credit card rewards and spent even more time dreaming of your vacation.

Instead of fighting the crowds and eating meals that require you to peel a wrapper off a plastic tray, why not transport yourself back to a time when hospitality was the default, and people dressed and carried themselves in a manner worthy of the title lady or gentleman?

For more than 30 years, the Windsor Court Hotel has specialized in luxury New Orleans accommodations — which is a big deal for a town that is already renowned for its spirit and Southern hospitality.

Whether you’re in town for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or just to get away from the norm, New Orleans has a knack for celebrating just about everything. A stay at the Windsor Court can only accentuate those celebrations — especially if you use credit card travel or cash back rewards to book your trip and save you money.

The award-winning, 23-story Windsor Court features 316 oversized guest rooms and suites with blends of traditional English décor — the hotel’s signature style — and French Vogue, a New Orleans hallmark.

Windsor Court offers several amenities, including the exclusive Club Level Lounge, The Grill Room’s definitive dining, Polo Club Lounge for live jazz, the celebrated Le Salon for afternoon tea, the on-the-go Café Anglais eatery, the luxurious spa at Windsor Court and an extensive art collection with works of mostly British origin.

The Hotel recently unveiled its new Waterman Poolside Bar located at the hotel’s rooftop pool, just in time for the summer travel season.

New Orleans offers so many diverse experiences that travelers have a hard time putting a finger on what makes the city so great. From beignets to Po’ Boys, Jazz to Blues, and enough nightspots to light up even the largest city, New Orleans has it all — and without the fast pace of big-city travel.

“We’re only a six-block walk to Bourbon Street,” said Megan Uram, Director of Sales & Marketing at Windsor Court. “Guests will also find other unique venues featuring some of the best local talents New Orleans has to offer in NOLA’s Uptown area.”

If shopping is more your thing, the eight-block Royal Street stretch of upscale boutiques, fine jewelry stores, and colorful art galleries is a short walk away.

“Windsor Court has a luxury that’s in style all year long, but Mardi Gras is a great excuse to visit the hotel — especially for its prime location,” Uram said. “Le Salon offers guests a fun Mardi Gras themed tea to enjoy. The holidays are also a great time to take advantage of the hotel’s annual Papa Noel package, offering people luxury at a great price just in time for the holidays.”

In the spring, music lovers flock to New Orleans for two weekends of Jazz Fest, where all types of well-known artists gather to play.

If you’re anything like me, the fondest memories made during a vacation revolve around the local cuisine and trying dishes that aren’t available in your hometown. The Windsor Court offers multiple options to whet even the pickiest appetite without having to leave the building.

The Grill Room offers guests a menu that blends contemporary Southern cuisine with timeless comfort food influences — for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

“For lunch, The Grill Room offers a plate lunch special where guests can enjoy a choice of a main course and three sides for $19.84 (the year Windsor Court opened),” Uram said. “For dinner, there are five categories of sweet and savory fare, and three-course selections start at $39, with additional courses available for $10 each.”

Every Saturday and Sunday, The Grill Room hosts a Jazz Brunch where guests can build their own mimosas at the Bubble Bar, complementing their small or large plates of specialty dishes like Eggs Atchafalaya, Stuffed Beignets, or Shrimp and Grits.

The Polo Club Lounge lets guests enjoy the city’s most sultry jazz artists while sipping on classic cocktails. For those looking to experience a traditional afternoon tea, Le Salon offers a selection of 26 loose-leaf variety brews and an assortment of tea sandwiches surrounded by soft melodies from a harpist or pianist.

Le Salon also offers themed tea services throughout the year. From Halloween to its notable LGBTea, there’s a themed tea for every occasion.

Guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails and frozen drinks poolside during New Orleans’ hot summers at Windsor Court’s newest addition, the Waterman Poolside Bar. The Waterman also offers menu items, such as poke bowls, fish tacos, Gulf shrimp and a short rib on a baguette, and dessert items, including a classic banana split.

After a day of shopping or a night of partying, guests can unwind with a visit to The Spa at Windsor Court for the type of pampering every vacationer wants. The spa — open seven days a week — includes a sauna and steam room, as well as a relaxation area.

Guests who receive treatments have complimentary use of the fitness center, outdoor pool, and amenities during the spa’s hours of operation.

There are many vacation destinations worthy of your disposable income and time. The challenge in choosing the right spot to spend your time off — and your credit card rewards — is finding a location that isn’t filled with tourist traps or crowds of people who seem intent on running over anyone in their way.

If the point of a vacation is to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s no place better than the slowed-down Southern charm of the Big Easy. And no trip to the Birthplace of Jazz is complete without a stay at the Windsor Court Hotel.

“The Windsor Court is an award-winning haven for those seeking luxury and Southern hospitality,” Uram said. “Whether visitors are looking to spend their days in the French Quarter or Central Business District — each within walking distance of this premium location — or if they’d prefer to indulge in the numerous amenities Windsor Court has to offer, guests are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.”