Ignatius J. Reilly
by grandmaRIn the late 1830's and 40's, Daniel Henry Holmes selected a site in the primarily residential area of Canal Street because it was the widest thoroughfare in the city, between the "old" and the "new." The D. H. Holmes Department Store opened on October 15, 1849. When it closed in 1989, it was donated to the City of New Orleans. The city joined with the Sonesta corporation to develop the site, and the 251-room luxury hotel opened in April 1995.
In addition to the statue, incorporated into the hotel are:
* Alabaster pillars from the original D.H. Holmes soda fountain adorn the bar in the Clock Bar.
* Marble accents in the floor of the lobby, as well as the iron (faux marble) columns in the lobby, were preserved from the original structure.
* The cypress exposed beams in the Atrium Courtyard date back to 1849, and were part of the original building.
* The famous "clock", which was a favorite meeting place for generations of New Orleanians and missing since the store closed, was returned to the hotel in November of 1995, during a "D.H. Holmes Memorabilia Party' by two well-meaning "preservationists' who had disconnected the clock from its perch on Canal Street for safekeeping. The Clock presently hangs in its original location on Canal Street.
I have not stayed here, but they have family reunion and pre-cruise packages
Rates include
Rooms
Deluxe Single/Double Occupancy $130-$299
Premium Single/Double Occupancy $165-$350
Bourbon Street Balconies $195-$379
AAA gives it three diamonds which is the equivalent of 3 stars but the red diamonds means that it has their recommendation.
