SHELTON, Conn. -- Officials of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the closure of Baronne Inn and Suites in downtown New Orleans ahead of a $10 million, eight-month total transformation to convert the historic building to a Fairfield Inn and Suites. The hotel expects to reopen in spring, 2016.

Located at 346 Baronne St., in the central business district and just one block off Bourbon St., the Fairfield Inn and Suites New Orleans Downtown/French Quarter Area will mark the brand's debut in the Big Easy. The all-suite hotel will feature 103 guest suites, a full bar outfitted to emphasize the hotel's one-of-a-kind destination, and will offer complimentary breakfast and WiFi; everything a guest needs for a comfortable and productive stay at a great value.

"Reinvention has been New Orleans' calling card since Hurricane Katrina, and the results, including renovated and upgraded hotels, 600 more restaurants and entertainment venues, clearly appeal to the record 9.5 million guests who visited last year," said Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts. "We feel very confident that an urban Fairfield Inn and Suites product will be very attractive to both business travelers attending conferences and conventions at the Morial Center and value-minded leisure travelers who want their vacation dollar to go a little further."

The Fairfield Inn and Suites New Orleans is within walking distance of the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, the Morial Convention Center and Harrah's New Orleans Casino, as well as the city's famed French Quarter. The Port of Orleans, one of the busiest cruise terminals in the U.S. and Louis Armstrong International Airport both are minutes away.

About New Castle Hotels and Resorts

New Castle Hotels & Resorts (NCHR) is a fully integrated, industry-recognized hospitality investment, development and management company with a 40+ year track record of executing complex operational turnarounds, new construction and historic redevelopments. NCHR's current portfolio is architecturally and geographically unique, encompassing premium select-serve, full-service and resort properties in the U.S. and Canada, representing many of the world's leading brands. NCHR was founded in 1980 by David Buffam and is based in Ridgefield, Conn. For more information about the company, visit www.newcastlehotels.com or connect on social media at https://www.facebook.com/NewCastleHotelsResorts/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-castle-hotels-&-resorts/.