South - New Orleans Hotel Recommendations

Just realized that this geography-related area exists, would love to get input on specific hotels to stay at and hotels to avoid. My friends and I are going to a wedding in Baton Rouge in November and since none of us had been to New Orleans, we thought we would spend a couple of days there. Any hotel recommendations?

If anyone's had some good experiences at some of the hotels there, please let me know. I don't know New Orleans at all, but I am looking to stay somewhere safe, as we probably will be going out late at night. Are there areas to avoid and areas that I should see? Any travel recommendations would be appreciated as well...like places to see and eat, etc. Thanks.

Well it's kind of hard to say what "safe" is. Do you think it's better to stay remotely from places like canal and bourban st. where you are away from any rowdy people but you will have to walk at night or do you think it's better to always walk a short distance to your hotel even if it's in the mist of the party folks? With that in mind you might wanna consider Crowne Plaza Astor, Hotel Monoco, Intercontinental, Ritz Carton, or a Marriott property.

JW Marriott is my favorite.

For safety and a central location...the Wyndham on Canal. The hotel sets ontop of some high-end shops and police are always in the area b/c the street ends there.
The service is great, the view of the Miss. River is amazing and the beds are to die for, IMHO.

A lot will depend on what you want to do, how much you want to spend and what kind of group you are (a bunch of friends, couples, etc)

I have had great experiences with the Hilton at the River (big) and with the Maison du Puy (Burgundy @ Toulouse)(small)

Avoid the Central Business District (CBD) at all cost.

I've been told to stay in the French Quarter...we are basically spending 3 days and nights there...looking forward to seeing the sights, eating what I've been told is great food, and going out on some of the evenings. Don't want to spend too much, but not really sure what the going rate is (it appears that hotels are roughly $200/night). Thanks for the advice so far. We're going to be there the first weekend of November.

Here is a good place to start your research. Just remember that almost everyplace will have someone posting negatively about it. One person's "atmosphere" is another person's "funk", think of reports you've heard about Venice from other tourists.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60864-New_Orleans_Louisiana-Hotels.html

I stayed at the 'Inn on Bourbon' (www.innonbourbon.com) which, as the name suggests, is right on Bourbon Street :) . This was a Best Western hotel back then, but seems to have just been renovated. I remember paying around $60/night which seemed too good to be true and the new owners must have thought so too, because the cheapest rate in November seems to be around $150 - but from what you wrote before this is acceptable.
The hotel has a very beautiful courtyard with a training size pool and despite the hotel´s location there was no noise problem at all (even though there was some party going on when I was there* - try to get a 'courtyard-room' just to make sure). Security-wise this felt comfortable, because no matter what time at night you´ll get back to the hotel, there will be a crowd on the street. Also, it´s centrally located and many attractions - obviously - are in walking distance (as was the river (and if they didn´t move it, it still is (sneaky way out of a logical mistake :D )). Lots of restaurants, clubs, etc., etc. near-by, of course.
Maybe someone else with a more recent experience can comment, too. The price stated above is from the hotel´s website, so I guess there are also better deals...
Have fun, bring your Sax!



* just to avoid some condescending comment: no, it was NOT Mardi Gras!!! :D

I think you have to be careful after dark just about anywhere in New Orleans. The Ritz, the Fairmont, the Windsor Court, the Wyndham, and the Hilton are all fine but are all at least a couple of blocks from the FQ. If you are visiting the Quarter and stay there, it obviously minimizes the distance you need to travel to get back to your hotel and reduces or eliminates the need for cabs.

Personally, my two favorites hotels in the Quarter are the Omni Royal Orleans and the Bourbon Orleans. My choice is influenced by the fact that I personally do not prefer small boutique-like hotels, which I know can often be quite nice.

When I go to New Orleans, I usually stay at the Intercontinental on St. Charles. It's just two/three blocks away from the French Quarter. I love the the Quarter, but it gets too rowdy. There's a trolly that runs right in front of the hotel, which takes you to the Garden District. Plus, I get PC points.

I think you have to be careful after dark just about anywhere in New Orleans. The Ritz, the Fairmont, the Windsor Court, the Wyndham, and the Hilton are all fine but are all at least a couple of blocks from the FQ. If you are visiting the Quarter and stay there, it obviously minimizes the distance you need to travel to get back to your hotel and reduces or eliminates the need for cabs.


In all my visits to NOLA I have never felt unsafe after dark regardless of where I was staying. Only once used a cab for travel once in the city and that was because we were with a group. My first visit we stayed near the convention center and, although it is a bit out for convenience sake, still didn't feel unsafe walking around.

Personally, my two favorites hotels in the Quarter are the Omni Royal Orleans and the Bourbon Orleans. My choice is influenced by the fact that I personally do not prefer small boutique-like hotels, which I know can often be quite nice.

I have friends that stayed at the Bourbon Orleans several years ago and loved it. It has recently completed a major renovation and I am sure even much nicer than before. However, it will be noisy as it is right on Bourbon Street.

If anyone's had some good experiences at some of the hotels there, please let me know. I don't know New Orleans at all, but I am looking to stay somewhere safe, as we probably will be going out late at night. Are there areas to avoid and areas that I should see?

awc4 - I'm not looking to hi-jack your thread, but wonder if I could piggy-back it as have a similar query re NOLA hotels....I'm looking for a 3/4* place either at MSY, Kenner or Metairie...when I'm on (self-financed !) business I usually do LaQuinta which is adequate - but am looking for something a little nicer this time. Thanks