October 31, 2026 — New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is buying the Windsor Court Hotel, one of the city’s best-known luxury hotels, and has committed to renovating it. The deal, announced Friday, October 30, puts the hotel under fully local ownership for the first time.
What is happening
Benson’s purchase of the Windsor Court was announced October 30. The Berger Company, led by Darryl and Ryan Berger, keeps a minority stake and will continue to help with local operations. The price and the seller’s details were not disclosed, and reports differ on whether the deal has already closed (WGNO says Benson “recently acquired” the hotel; Fox 8 says she is acquiring it).
Both reports mention a planned renovation, but no scope, budget or dates have been published. Whether the hotel will stay fully open during the work is TBA.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Property | Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier Street, Central Business District, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| New owner | Gayle Benson; The Berger Company keeps a minority interest |
| Rooms | 314 (per Wikipedia) |
| Opened | 1984, ahead of the Louisiana World’s Fair |
| Renovation | Planned; scope and dates TBA |
The independent hotel is home to The Grill Room restaurant and has been honored in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. It last went through renovations in 2011–2012 and 2018.
What it means for airline travelers
- Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) serves the city; the hotel is in the Central Business District, a short walk from the French Quarter.
- No change yet: Nothing about current operations or existing reservations has been announced. Bookings should be unaffected for now.
- Watch for renovation dates: Once the plan is published, check whether work will overlap with your stay, especially around Mardi Gras and big event weekends.
- Discount rates: No travel-industry or airline-employee rate information was mentioned in the reports.
Sources
- Fox 8 WVUE — Gayle Benson to acquire iconic New Orleans hotel (October 30, 2026)
- WGNO via Yahoo News — Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson acquires upscale hotel, The Windsor Court (October 30, 2026)
- Wikipedia — Windsor Court Hotel (background: address, room count, history)
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