There’s a long history to all of the hotels in New Orleans, but perhaps the most storied hotel is The Roosevelt New Orleans. It seems that everyone in the city — or anyone who has stayed at the hotel — has a link to the property, whether it be a friend who works there, grandparents who met there, or fond memories of the hotel’s famous Teddy Bear Teas, hosted each holiday season.

The hotel first opened in 1893, quickly becoming famous for its entertainment venues and attracting the likes of Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and other icons. In 1965, it became a Fairmont and remained as such until it was shuttered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Following extensive renovations, it reopened as an ultra-luxurious Waldorf Astoria, with more grandeur and charm than ever before. Interested in the hotel’s history? Take a complimentary tour at 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Today, The Roosevelt continues to attract people from all over the world, including families, who come to enjoy its spacious accommodations, lovely onsite dining options (be sure to try a pastry at Teddy’s Cafe, or even make one with the head pastry chef!) and Teddy Bear Teas at the holidays. Kids can even send letters to Santa through the hotel’s old-fashioned mailbox system.

The Roosevelt is located just off of Canal Street, the main drag in New Orleans, putting guests close to the streetcar line (an iconic experience in itself), as well as the French Quarter, just a few blocks away.

The hotel offers a total of 504 accommodations, 379 of which are guestrooms and 125 of which are suites. All accommodations are elegant and luxurious, yet offer all the comforts of home for families. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs (including one in bathrooms), bathrobes, safes, mini-bars, and alarm clocks with MP3 connections.

Kids can also be welcomed with in-room snacks, hopscotch or even tents for an additional fee (request in advance). Cribs, rollaway beds ($50 per night), and connecting rooms are available upon request. Many guestrooms have shower/tub combos in bathrooms.

Deluxe Rooms
Deluxe Rooms are equipped with one king, one queen, or two queen beds.

Superior Rooms
Superior Rooms offer better views than Deluxe Rooms, and come with one king or two queen beds.

King Suites
King Suites feature a separate bedroom with a king bed, and a living area; some living areas come with sleeper sofas, allowing a family of four to comfortably sleep and enjoy a little privacy from each other.

Luxury Suites
The Luxury Suites are more like apartments! Each one has a separate dining space, living area, and bedroom with a king bed and full bathroom. There's also a queen sleeper sofa in the living area. This room can also connect to a Deluxe Queen Room or Superior Queen Room -- perfect for families traveling with a nanny or grandparents!

Astoria Suites
These rooms vary from 800 to 1,350 square feet in size, and feature extra-luxurious amenities-- clawfoot tubs and large bay windows, for example. There are just six of these secluded rooms, which sleep up to four guests in a private king bedroom and sleeper sofa in the living area. The bathroom also has a separate shower in addition to the tub.

Waldorf Suites
This room is fantastic for entertaining, but just as good for family stays. It has a separate king bedroom, a living space with a sleeper sofa, and a dining area with seating for six. The bathroom has a shower/tub combination.

Presidential Suites
The ultimate option at The Roosevelt, Presidential Suites deliver gratuitous space (1,200 to 1,900 square feet), with separate seating and dining areas. These rooms are equipped with one king bed and best for couples, but they can connect to other rooms for families. You could also order a rollaway bed or crib to the room.

Pool
The hotel's rooftop swimming pool is the place to be on a hot, sunny day, with tents, cabanas, loungers and a pool bar completing the scene. In the summer, families can also enjoy dive-in movies and a giant game of chess and Connect Four. Pool hours are typically 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; the pool bar is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Cooking With Chef Deb
Kids can bake pastries with Head Pastry Chef Deborah Heyd during the summer months. The cost is $165 for two children.

Mom and Me Spa Experience
The state-of-the-art Waldorf Astoria Spa isn't just for parents -- treat your child to a Mom and Me Spa Experience, which includes manicures and pedicures for parent and child, plus chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling juice for kids, and Champagne for mom.

Teddy Bear Tea
The Roosevelt's Teddy Bear Tea is something every child should experience at least once! The event features a parade of characters, including Santa Claus, of course, along with delicious treats, tea, hot cocoa and more! Children under age 12 receive a commemorative teddy bear to take home. Make your reservations in plenty of advance for this popular event, hosted on select dates/at select times in December.

Fountain Lounge
The Fountain Lounge is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also offers brunch and a Pre-Theater Menu for those attending a show at the Orpheum Theatre across the street.

Teddy's Café
Don't miss the ornately decorated pastries (your kids certainly won't) at Teddy's Café. It's the perfect place to enjoy a café au lait and sweet treat. Teddy's is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Domenica Restaurant
Chef John Besh, voted Best Chef-South by the James Beard Foundation in 2015, heads up this hotel restaurant that's perfect for families. The menu mostly encompasses Italian food, with a focus on seafood, pasta and thick pizzas -- sure to please even the pickiest of palettes. It's open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Room Service
Room service is available 24 hours.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is free in all public areas, but there is a charge of $14.95 for in-room service.

Pets
Pets weighing less than 25 pounds are allowed for a one-time, non-refundable fee of $175.

Health and Wellness Center
The hotel's fitness center spans 1,200-square-feet, offering cardio equipment, free weights, weight machines and everything in between. It's located next to the pool, and is open to guests 24 hours.

Roosevelt Emporium Gift Shop
The Roosevelt Emporium Gift Shop, located on the hotel's ground level, isn't your typical gift shop with kitschy items for sale. The store is actually popular with locals, who visit for fine kitchenware, home décor and more. The gift shop is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Family Fun Summer Package
The hotel has a Family Fun Summer Package that includes free breakfast for two adults and two children; pre-arrival personal concierge service; and in-room amenities for kids upon arrival, in addition to all of the hotel's standard amenities -- free Wi-Fi, dive-in movies and more.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is at 3 p.m., with a late check-out time of noon.

The Art of Smart Timing
The Roosevelt New Orleans is always busy, especially during Mardi Gras and in the fall; summer is actually an ideal time to visit in terms of nightly rates. Perhaps the best time to visit, however, is during the winter holidays, when the hotel becomes bedecked with lights and holiday décor and hosts its famous Teddy Bear Teas. Kids can also send letters to Santa via the hotel's old-school mailbox system!

Getting There
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 30 minutes from The Roosevelt New Orleans. You can get to the hotel via taxi, Uber, or the Airport Shuttle; the Airport Shuttle departs every 30 minutes and travels to most area hotels for $20 per person.

Getting Around
You don't need to rent a car to get around New Orleans, as the city is quite walkable. If you do, however, valet parking is available at the Roosevelt for $46 plus tax per day.

For Mom and Dad
Make a reservation at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, an expansive facility that feels hidden from the rest of the hotel. After the spa, head to the legendary Sazarac Bar for local libations.