The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has announced the upcoming opening of its signature hotel, The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton, which will officially open its doors in early December. As an added incentive for travel advisors, during the month of December advisors can experience the property first-hand with a 50 percent discount off room rates for stays during the month of December.
“As New Orleans’ number one attraction, The National WWII Museum welcomed more than 780,000 visitors in 2018—our 13th year of visitation growth—and has had 7.5 million visitors since opening in 2000,” said Stephen J. Watson, president & CEO of the Museum in press materials. “When we looked at our last undeveloped piece of land, we wanted to ensure that we created a property that would economically support the Museum’s educational mission, while also enhancing our visitor experience. When you pair that with our increasing visitation, a hotel and conference center is a natural choice.”
The newest addition to the Museum’s growing campus is named after Andrew Higgins, the founder and owner of New Orleans-based Higgins Industries, who oversaw the production of more than 20,000 “Higgins boats” used in every major amphibious battle of World War II, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
The 8-story, four-star hotel will feature an Art Deco modern style of architecture, with 230 guestrooms and specialty suites. The property’s interiors will also embody the Art Deco-style with touches of WWII history with select pieces displayed throughout the hotel to convey an authentic historical experience for guests.
The property’s guestrooms offer deluxe comforts and amenities, including upholstered bed frames, embroidered bed sheets, and WWII-era artwork, such as colorized old photographs of soldiers and trains. Three luxury suites, named in honor of WWII-era presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower, will include magnificent living and dining areas for entertaining, an in-suite bar and a Victrola Record Player.
The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center will feature four casual and fine-dining options including Cafe Normandie, which will capture the national affinity for French culture that sprang from World War II with a menu of French fare and classic New Orleans Creole that will change seasonally. The rooftop bar and lounge, named Rosie’s on the Roof in honor of Rosie the Riveter, will offer sweeping views of the city and celebrate the legacy of women in World War II with industrial decor elements, such as an airplane propeller hanging from the ceiling. Guests will also be able to enjoy cocktails and light bites at Kilroy’s Bar & Lounge, which was named after the iconic American wartime cartoon who brought comedic relief during the war, the bar will incorporate the beloved character throughout its design. In the lobby, marketplace Provisions will feature grab-and-go options, such as housemade baked goods and coffee, as well as select Museum gifts and souvenirs.
Located in the heart of the hip Arts and Warehouse District, a recently revitalized neighborhood transformed from a former 19th century industrial area, the hotel is near entertainment centers, art studios and restaurants. In addition to sitting directly across from the entrance to The National WWII Museum, the hotel is a short walk to the French Quarter and the Garden District.
Reservations are now being accepted for dates starting in December 2019. For more information, visit higginshotelnola.com. To book the travel advisor discount, go to curiocollection3.hilton.com. Advisors will need to verify their travel advisor status at check-in. Don’t miss out on more travel advisor travel opportunities with these FAMs.
