The geekboy and I are contemplating a weekend trip to New Orleans (something like Thursday to Monday, probably near the end of April). Neither of us have ever been there, so we have no idea where to start. I know a lot of you have visited and loved it. I’m looking for a safe, conveniently-located hotel. We don’t care much if it’s fancy, but we like clean. We’d like to be able to walk to most of our destinations, as I’d rather not spend $$$ on renting a car. If you have any advice on lodging, please post in the comments.
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If you want to do touristy st probably want to stay one the French Quarter if course. You can easily walk to everything in the Quarter. Stayed at Hotel St. Marie last summer, good location near the center of the quarter. It’s close to Bourbon street if you like that but far enough down the block that the noise shouldn’t bother you much if you want to avoid the Bourbon Street nightlife (we had a balcony room overlooking Toulouse, so we did hear some music late, but the interior rooms were fine) Not fancy, but a nice hotel. our room was clean. It’s a place full of history, culture and music, I don’t know how someone could not love it there.
We went to visit some family there 2 years ago, and while there’s a lot in the French Quarter, if you want to venture out of there I think you’d need to get a car. The blocks are big and long, and it’s different than NYC. Also, you’d need a car if you want to go on a swamp tour! We did and it was fun.
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton, which was beautiful inside, but outside it looked like downtown Newark. One night it was cool, there were about 10 guys on the street just jamming and playing loud, awesome, jazz music that had my son dancing in the street.
But it’s a rough city, keep in mind.
But you’re smart to go in April. We went in July and couldn’t breathe from the humidity.
What about cabs? Price to/from the airport?
I haven’t been to NOLA in 10 years, so I don’t know the price of a cab, but the airport is pretty far from the city. Things are pretty spread out though, so you may actually save money by renting a car.
You’ll have a blast, it is like no place on earth.
If the trolleys are working again (I was last there in Jan 2007 and they weren’t, but I’m sure they’re repaired from Katrina by now) you could stay in the French Quarter/downtown area and still check out the Garden District, Audubon Park, etc. The only time I’ve visited and stayed in a hotel, I was just at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was closer to the river and I-10, but still easy walking distance to the Quarter. Be advised that the last weekend in April/first weekend in May is Jazz Fest. It’s a great festival if you decide to check it out, but it’s going to make lodging more difficult and expensive. Also, if you rent a car and stay anywhere downtown/French Quarter, you should add in daily parking costs (probably 10-20/day) as parking isn’t easy to come by. The airport is kinda far from all the good stuff, but some random googling I just did turned up an approx $30-40 cost to the Quarter, but maybe you’ll find a hotel with a shuttle. The only thing you’d really need a car for is if you want to check out plantations, swamps, drive to one of the cemeteries or something. Otherwise, you should be fine with your feet and the occasional cab.
I noticed that most of the hotels charge $30/day for parking. I think a shuttle would be cheaper (probably $60 for both, round trip).
Also noticed it’s much cheaper to stay during the week, like Tuesday to Saturday than from something like Thursday to Monday.
I was there for a few days in Oct/Nov 2006 and really liked the Hampton Inn at 226 Carondelet Street. It was v. nice. My company paid for it, so I don’t have $$ info, but it was close enough to Bourbon Street/French Quarter to walk no problem. We walked to the Cathedral/riverfront & casino and it wasn’t bad at all.
Good info! Keep it coming!
I stayed here and it was perfect:
http://www.stannmarieantoinette.com/
It’s in the French Quarter so it’s within walking distance to everything, but still far enough from Bourbon Street that you can sleep at night.
And I was there during Jazz fest so the city was PACKED!
My fave place I’ve stayed there was the Maison Dupuy in the French Quarter. Very nice and perfect location (of course, almost anything in the French Quarter is a perfect location). I’ve always wanted to stay at the Hotel Monteleone, it’s the tallest hotel in the Quarter, just for the potential views…
If you’re just planning on sticking to the Quarter and the Garden District, there’s no need for a car, really. But if you want to check out any other part of the city, it’s a must. (Last time I went, a friend drove us around the Lower Ninth. Not the most cheerful thing to see, but I felt I should really see the effects of the levee breaks in person, and I’m really glad I did.)
Also, I recommend a trip to Mardi Gras World, where a lot of the huge Mardi Gras floats are stored. Touristy, but totally cool.
Longtime reader, first-time poster, former New Jerseyian
Had to weigh in on New Orleans — half my family went to college down there, and my husband and I went about a year ago and absolutely loved it. It helped that it was like 75 degrees/no humidity in May instead of 90.
I don’t think you need to rent a car if you’re looking to stick around the French Quarter/Bourbon Street. The trolley cars are up and running if you want to shoot down to the Garden District/park/zoo. Taxis are pretty easy to come by — it cost less than we thought to get from the French Quarter to the airport, although I can’t remember the exact price.
When we visited, we stayed at the Hotel Richelieu — technically “Le Richelieu” — It’s a really old place, but pretty charming and very clean. It’s a few blocks from Bourbon, so it’s quiet but close to everything in the Quarter. And as a bonus, there’s free parking if you do want to rent a car.
Tons of great food in New Orleans — I’m looking forward to going back at some point.
http://adventure.howstuffworks.....otels1.htm
I’ve stayed at the Bourbon Orleans twice around 10 yrs ago and loved it, largely for the pool and it’s easy stumbling home location. Looking at the prices though, I can’t believe my cheap ass parents fronted for it. But maybe that’s just the going rates for hotels now and I’m the cheap one.
Chuck — cool! We stayed in a haunted old brothel in Arizona but didn’t see/hear any paranormal activity.
Yeah, I remember that brothel. And I did not sleep there. But that wasn’t your question.
We stayed at the Prince Conti hotel in NO in 2004. It was okay, in a side street off Bourbon Street and everything was walkable. There is a lot to see and do in the French Quarter. In 2004 we paid around 60 dollars per night. We were there the days before Jazz Fest. Don’t know if the hotel is still there.
We did two guided walks, a ghost tour, which was fun and a cemetery tour that was very interesting. It did take us to Marie Laveaux’ grave.
Great news, we booked a trip! In April, right before Jazz Fest. The prices were cheaper. I can’t wait!!!
Where ya staying?
I’m totally jealous. Great time to go. It won’t be oppressively humid yet.
At the Omni Royal in the French Quarter.
http://www.omnihotels.com/Find.....leans.aspx
Because we decided to go during the week instead of the weekend, we got a good deal. It looks nice!
Can’t tell you where to stay–I”m always in the dreary convention district, and either rent a car or take cabs everywhere. French Quarter highly overrated, unless you like stepping in nasty body fluids and seeing people behaving like, well, people who just drank WAY too much. Garden District is much better–beautiful, but quite a distance from downtown. Two eating suggestions: You must eat at Jacques-Imo’s. Seriously, you must. They don’t take reservations, so come early and plan to wait, but the wait is totally worth it. Great bar–have a Sazerac (they will feed you drinks for 2 hours while you wait), and eat the Redfish–best I’ve ever had. Also, if you don’t mind dropping the dough, eat at Commander’s Palace. Make sure to bring some Tum’s with you on the trip–the rich food will cause some problems, but it is worth it.
Thanks, Kirt! We’re going to have to stay a month to take everyone’s suggestions!!!
Where is Jacques-Imos?
I’m not sure if it technically still in the garden district, but it is out that way–I think it is officially “Uptown.” Oak Street (here’s the weblink: http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/ ). A good friend who used to teach at Tulane took me there–we drove past Tulane and Loyola driving along the trolley line (which was up and running in October 2008), then turned left, it is a block or two off the trolley line. It’s sort of pronounced as one word, JOCKimos–just fantastic (skip the alligator cheesecake, a specialty, but in my opinion, just so-so). If there’s a special that sounds good, go for it–esp. if seafood. The place is totally funky–you can actually eat in a two-top in the pickup parked out front. Definitely think about Commander’s Palace (www.commanderspalace.com). If you find it too pricey, think about going for cocktails–they’re fantastic. Also, do Bayona (www.bayona.com)–this place is fantastic (also has a great Sazerac), in the French Quarter, takes reservations, worth every penny (I had fresh local rabbit stuffed with homemade organic boudin–sublime dining). Lisa can fill you in on my food dick-ness, so check with her! I think Brennan’s and all Emeril restaurants are a bit overrated and long-in-the-tooth–you can do much better. Also, Two Sisters falls into a similarly stale category, but everyone I know still likes it because of the courtyard–classic New Orleans experience. There’s a running argument with friends on the best Muffaletta–we’re split between Cafe Maspero and Central Grocery. Since you’re there to indulge, I say try both. Finally, it is in the quarter, and is touristy, but I still love Cafe du Monde–the coffee’s delicious, and who can beat a beignet, morning, noon, or night?
Thanks for the link!
I’ve never had a beignet, I cannot wait to try one. Or five.
We were trying to choose between Commander’s Palace and NOLA; to your dismay I chose NOLA. I’ve heard good things about it from others. Maybe we’ll go to Commander’s Palace for cocktails one night. I’m really going to have to sit down and make an itinerary for the short time we’ll be there — we’re going to need it.
Since we’ve never been there before, I do want to do some touristy things. I want to do a couple of walking tours and stuff like that.
Definitely do the tourist thing–New Orleans is all about that, and I’m sure NOLA will be wonderful–but do Cocktails at the palace! My bloviations about where to eat can be ignored happily and freely–let me know how NOLA was (I’ve never been…and I suspect that my sources regarding NOLA just hate Emeril and love being part of the Crescent City Cognoscenti…
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Dang, you guys are making me want to go back to New Orleans. All this talk about beignets…mmm.
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