Hospitality and the joy of sharing New Orleans pride with travelers runs in the Rush family—specifically Roger Rush, his son Roger Rush, Sr., and his son Roger Rush, III. That’s three generations of men in the same family who have worked in banquets at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
“New Orleans is home. We love being here. We work here, we play here,” said Rush, Sr., who currently works at the hotel with Rush, III (the patriarch of the family, Roger Rush, has since moved on from the hotel). During the day, “the Rogers” work to ensure the hotel’s schedule of weddings, meetings, and events runs smoothly—but in their free time, they live a true Louisiana life, regularly going crawfishing or shrimping, or hosting mouthwatering backyard Sunday dinners for friends and family.
Luckily for the guests staying at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the Rushes love sharing their passion for their hometown with travelers, and believe the hotel—which is historic in itself—is a great place to do so.
“The Roosevelt is the epitome of hospitality,” said Rush, Sr. “People come here and it’s like a second home…it’s the number one spot in New Orleans [with] the French Quarter just right around the corner. The stay is just first-class, second to none.”
The hotel itself stands as an amazing record of New Orleans’ history. Originally opening in 1893, it was renamed “The Roosevelt Hotel” in 1923 in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. Then throughout the 1920s and 30s, the hotel’s Blue Room became a sought-after destination for music lovers wanting to hear the top American swing, big band, and jazz musicians perform. On Sept. 23, 1949, the hotel’s Sazerac Bar became the first bar in New Orleans to admit women, and the response went over so well with female patrons that a new local holiday called “Storming the Sazerac” was established.
Today The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel still reflects the city’s storied history while offering guests a luxury stay with stylish rooms and suites, an in-house spa, spectacular views of the city from the rooftop bar, and tastes of New Orleans’ best—café au lait and beignets—right inside Teddy’s Café in the lobby.
The best part of working here, Rush, Sr., says, is that he gets to share the experience with his son.
“I’m so happy because my family is right there with me,” he said. “When I ride to work with my son in the morning, it’s like pride just running through my body. It’s a blessing. I just love our relationship together—me, my father and son.”
And the family tradition of embodying New Orleans hospitality just may continue in the future. Rush, III’s oldest son is also named Roger—the fourth in the family to hold the same name.