The Omni Royal Orleans has thrown open the doors to its revamped La Riviera rooftop and pool bar this week, revealing a sleeker, more intimate pool deck with private cabanas plus expanded lounge and dining zones looking out over the French Quarter. The top-floor redo is the latest chapter in a multi-year overhaul that has already refreshed the lobby, ballroom and a new music venue. Hotel guests get full rooftop access, while locals and other visitors can snag day passes or reserve cabanas. The upgrade is designed to modernize the perks without losing the property's historic bones.
What the hotel says
Omni Hotels & Resorts is pitching the redesign as a return to the property's original La Riviera persona, with bold stripes, terracotta pavers and a retractable awning meant to channel a French coastal escape, according to Omni Hotels & Resorts. The renovation overview also calls out other refreshed spaces, including the new Royal Bar, Three Maries Jazz Club and an updated Rib Room, all tied into the same master plan. Omni describes the project as a back-and-forth between the French Quarter's layered history and current-day hospitality expectations.
Design, menu and hours
The rooftop now includes a new pool, a larger deck with more seating, cabanas and a revamped poolside bar and restaurant framed by views of Jackson Square and the Mississippi River, as reported by New Orleans CityBusiness. “This is one of the most significant investments in the hotel's history,” Omni Royal Orleans general manager Cesar Matus told the outlet, adding that the goal is to create spaces where guests want to linger instead of just passing through. CityBusiness also breaks down pool and dining hours, cabana amenities and a menu that runs from Gulf shrimp ceviche to a Riviera burger.
How the renovation came together
Metairie-based Ryan Gootee General Contractors led work on the 37,500-square-foot project, using a phased schedule so the hotel could stay open while public areas were reworked, according to the contractor's project page. Materials from the firm note that crews kept original architectural details in place while updating electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems to current standards. RGGC says rooftop work is in its final stretch as the broader renovation moves toward completion.
Day passes, cabanas and accessibility
Non-guests can score day passes or book private cabanas through ResortPass, which lists pool hours, cabana options and pricing for the rooftop. ResortPass details cabana packages that cover seating for up to six, a stocked mini-fridge and other extras, while New Orleans & Company promotes a summer signature experience that links a reserved cabana with VIP seating at Three Maries and in-room jazz touches. The idea is to make the rooftop just as tempting to locals looking for a quick escape as it is to out-of-towners on vacation.
The final phase of the plan will update all 345 guest rooms and suites, with overall completion expected in early 2027, as reported by New Orleans CityBusiness. Omni's property pages confirm the 345-room count and frame the renovation as a long-term investment in the French Quarter's hospitality scene. For now, La Riviera offers residents and visitors a fresh, elevated perch to take in the views while the rest of the work plays out behind the scenes.
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