New Orleans Athletic Club

It's an eccentric space but pretty much the only game in downtown NOLA for visitors, and perfectly adequate. There's even a sense that Tennessee Williams might be swimming in the next lane.

Super convenient location for the French Quarter. The facility is gorgeous: an old mansion filled with exercise equipment, an elegant reading room, and a bar. The pool is surrounded by pillars and beautiful old marble floor tile. Pool itself is basic, made of concrete and with high walls that make it wavy, even if you're the only one in the pool. Of the five marked lanes, only two are good choices, but when I was there, only one other swimmer was present. The pool closes occasionally for aqua classes in afternoon/evening: call ahead to check the schedule. Amenities included towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash in shower, suit spinner, sauna, and steam room (there is no hot tub).

The pool has lines painted but no lane dividers; it feels like an open water swim after a while. The facility has the feel of a poorly maintained YMCA but is considered a high end workout facility.

For those stuck in a hotel downtown who need to get their gills wet, it's probably better than nothing. Visitors may also want to take along work out clothes. The place could use new paint, but they have lots of Nautilus machines, bicycles, and a rowing machine, all included.