Getting around New Orleans from Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Virgin Hotels New Orleans sits at 550 Baronne St in the Warehouse District, a short walk from the French Quarter and steps from the St. Charles streetcar. You can reach the hotel from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) by taxi, rideshare, airport bus, or private car; once downtown, many nearby attractions are walkable or accessible by streetcar.
In this guide
Getting to Virgin Hotels New Orleans from MSY (Louis Armstrong Airport)
There is no direct rail or streetcar link between MSY and downtown; practical options are taxi, rideshare, private car service, or airport buses. The hotel advises guests arriving from MSY to tell drivers to go to 550 Baronne Street.
The RTA Airport Express bus (202) and some JET routes provide lower-cost public service into downtown for those who prefer transit; both run with separate fares and longer travel times than a car.
- Taxi / rideshare: common and direct to 550 Baronne St (recommended by the hotel).
- RTA Airport Express (202): low-cost bus to downtown Poydras Street (check schedules and stops).
- JET Veterans E1 bus: another transit option with a modest fare but longer ride.
| Option | Typical tradeoff |
|---|---|
| Taxi / Rideshare | Direct, door-to-door; more expensive than bus |
| RTA Airport Express / JET | Cheaper; longer travel time and transfers |
| Private car / shuttle | Pre-book for fixed price and pick-up |
Walking, Streetcars and Getting Around Downtown
Virgin Hotels New Orleans is in the Warehouse District/Central Business District, within easy walking distance of many central sights. The French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Lafayette Square and the National WWII Museum are all walkable from the hotel.
The St. Charles streetcar line runs steps from the front door and is a straightforward, affordable way to reach Uptown and some museum areas; streetcars are also useful for short sightseeing trips through historic neighborhoods.
- Walkable destinations: Lafayette Square (about 5 minutes), Bourbon Street (about 10 minutes), National WWII Museum (about 10 minutes).
- St. Charles streetcar: runs from downtown toward Uptown; a convenient scenic option for nearby neighborhoods.
- Wear comfortable shoes — many downtown attractions are clustered within a 10–20 minute walk.
| Nearby landmark | Approximate walk time from hotel |
|---|---|
| Lafayette Square | 5 minutes |
| Bourbon Street / French Quarter | 10–15 minutes |
| National World War II Museum | 10 minutes |
Taxis, Rideshares and Local Car Options
Taxis and rideshare apps are widely available in New Orleans and are convenient for nights out or destinations that are farther than a comfortable walk. The hotel’s 24/7 front desk and concierge can help with local recommendations or arranging car service.
If you plan on driving, Virgin Hotels New Orleans offers 24/7 covered valet parking with in/out privileges. There is no self-parking option on-site.
- Valet parking: 24/7 covered valet through the front driveway (hotel lists this service as available).
- Taxis / rideshare: easy to call from the hotel or request via an app for quick trips.
- Concierge: available 24/7 to arrange transfers, car service, or tickets.
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| On-site valet | Covered, in/out privileges (valet is the only on-site option) |
| Taxi / Rideshare | Readily available; front desk or concierge can assist |
| Private car / shuttle | Concierge can help pre-book or recommend vendors |
Using Hotel Amenities While You Move Around
Plan to use the hotel’s rooftop Pool Club, Commons Club restaurant, and Funny Library coffee shop as convenient on-site meeting or rest points while exploring the city. The Pool Club sits on the 13th floor and has a terrace and bar access.
The fitness room is complimentary and open 24/7 with room-key access, useful if you want to squeeze in a workout before or after sightseeing. The 24/7 front desk and concierge can help with local tips, tours, and tickets.
- Pool Club: 13th-floor rooftop pool and bar; swimming for hotel guests is available daily (pool kept at 84°F); public access to the rooftop bar begins in the afternoon and non-hotel guests must be 21+.
- Commons Club: on-site restaurant for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch (reservations via OpenTable are accepted).
- Funny Library: ground-floor coffee shop with La Colombe coffee and pastries; check current hours before planning early departures.
| Venue | Typical hours / note |
|---|---|
| Commons Club | Breakfast, lunch, dinner; check hotel listings for exact hours |
| The Pool Club | Rooftop bar and pool on 13th floor; public access begins in afternoon; non-guests 21+ |
| Funny Library | Coffee and light bites; morning to early afternoon hours (seasonal changes possible) |
Day Trips, Tours and Longer Excursions
The hotel’s concierge can assist with booking swamp tours, plantation visits, and other day trips that depart from downtown. Popular excursions include Jean Lafitte swamp tours and trips to Oak Alley or Whitney Plantation; driving times vary by destination.
Tours that include hotel pickup are commonly available; ask the concierge for timing and recommended operators if you prefer a guided day trip rather than arranging your own transport.
- Jean Lafitte swamp tours: commonly listed at about a 25-minute drive from downtown departure points.
- Oak Alley and other plantations: typically a longer drive (time varies by operator); many combined options include hotel pickup.
- Booking: concierge can arrange private or group tours and provide pickup details.
| Trip | Typical travel note |
|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte swamp tour | Around 25 minutes drive from New Orleans (varies by operator) |
| Oak Alley Plantation | Longer day trip; many tours include hotel pickup |
| City Park / NOMA | Short drive from downtown; taxi or rideshare recommended for convenience |
Rooms and Practical Tips for Getting Around During Your Stay
Virgin Hotels New Orleans’ Chambers are two-chamber layouts that separate the sleeping area from a dressing/lounge space. Room types include examples such as Room, 1 King Bed (Chamber); Room, 1 King Bed, City View (Chamber); and Grand Suite, City View (Chamber, Balcony).
If you plan to use the rooftop Pool Club or fitness center, bring your room key for access. The front desk is open 24/7 for late arrivals, transfers, or questions about local transport options.
- Access notes: rooftop Pool Club and fitness room require room-key access for guests at certain times; non-hotel guest rooftop access is restricted by age.
- Check-in window: check-in begins at 4:00 PM and runs until midnight; late arrivals should contact the hotel in advance.
- Valuables and planning: use the 24/7 front desk or concierge to confirm reservations, directions, and tour pickup details.
| Useful hotel facts | What to do |
|---|---|
| Check-in | Starts at 4:00 PM; window runs to midnight |
| Valet parking | 24/7 covered valet available (no self-parking) |
| Pool | 13th-floor rooftop pool, heated to 84°F; non-guest access rules apply |
