South - Best hotel for Mardi Gras

Decided to tick off something from my bucket list. Do Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Looking at three nights from Feb. 21-24 (flight is at 7:20 p.m., sorry flights out on Ash Wednesday were too $$$ so I'll miss the midnight shutdown).

My favorite Nola hotel, Royal Sonesta, is all booked up. There aren't any Starwood hotels in the Quarter other than the W and the reviews are decidedly mixed. I can also do a IChotel or Hilton. Can also be independent or a different chain. Hotel Montelone is available and price is right (I'd like to stop at $300 a night plus taxes and fees unless I'm getting a room with a view or a balcony then I'd pay more).

I'd like to lock up my room this week. Hotels are pretty much requiring prepayment and no cancellation so I'd like to do this right. I've stayed at the Chateau Le Moyne, LaProvincial, Omni and Bourbon Orleans in the past. Bourbon Orleans was back in 98 and wasn't impressed. Omni had a tiny room but was a nice experience. I'm intrigued by the Montelone.

What do you think is my best option and is there something I'm overlooking?

Thanks in advance.

PS If you can figure out how I can book the Royal Sonesta, I'd be eternally grateful and send you some Mardi Gras beads. :) I'd be willing to book the night of Feb. 24 if it would get me a great deal at the Sonesta or another property. (some hotels have four-night minimums)

If I were you I would stay at the Sheraton located in the 500 block of Canal just about 3 blocks from Bourbon St. That way you can have all the Bourbon St Mardi Gras you can stand and then only a short walk away is peace and quiet. I agree that you don't want to stay at W French Qtr as I also was not impressed with my stay there.

You can hear every damn thing in the Sheraton hallways thru your door! I would stay in either W again before that Sheraton! And you wait for elevators FOREVER when it's crowded.

I have always liked the Moteleone and Omni Royal Orleans and stayed at both 3 times each (98-2003) before marrying into family who live in N.O. Both are quaint and the rooms are all varied, but they were always clean and quiet for me.

I have never stayed in any of the 4 during MG, however.

I lived in Baton Rouge for two years, and last year, we stayed at the Sheraton on Canal St. that controller1 mentioned. It was full, to be sure, but I had no problem getting to sleep (for the record, though, I hardly ever have that problem!) and the rooms and service were just fine.

You're actually not missing out on too much leaving on Tuesday evening - the last parade gets done in the mid-afternoon and then that's really it. Most of the locals head out then, and believe me, if you've been doing parades and such for three days straight, you'll be pretty exhausted. Also, judging from past experience, Bourbon St. that night is going to be insane, and not in a good way. We tried to go out there on Monday night last year and it was PACKED, lots of fights, people flinging beads (and other things) off balconies, etc. I can only imagine that Tuesday is more than that. It's really fun during the day but (IMHO) crosses the line after dark, and I'm not one to be fazed by big cities.

I would just watch your timing on Tuesday because most of the streets will be shut down/rerouted until the last parade is over - I assume you're taking a taxi to/from the airport rather than renting a car (which is seldom a good idea in NOLA and definitely not this weekend!)

Have a great time and please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about the city or Mardi Gras - I love both so and miss them terribly!

P.S. The Royal Sonesta is my (and my family's) favorite French Quarter hotel, too!

Decided to tick off something from my bucket list. Do Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Looking at three nights from Feb. 21-24 (flight is at 7:20 p.m., sorry flights out on Ash Wednesday were too $$$ so I'll miss the midnight shutdown).I enjoy witnessing the shutdown. But, it's not something you need to see, particularly not for your first Mardi Gras. However, do be sure to whip out at least a mask, if not a full costume on Mardi Gras day. ;)

(Sorry, I don't have any hotel suggestions. I usually stay with friends in New Orleans, Louisiana. Even then, I'm not particular about hotels (I'm happy with a clean bed and bathroom) and, therefore, am not the best person to ask about hotel recommendations. :o)

I like the idea of staying at one of the Canal Street properties, or even a property a little further uptown, in the CBD or the Warehouse District. That way you'll be walking distance to the Quarter and to the parades on St. Charles, yet not directly in the madness.

Note that I think it's appropriate to recognize and appreciate that there really are two Mardi Gras: the locals' Mardi Gras and the tourists' Mardi Gras. I'm not knowledgeable enough to fully apreciate the locals' version, but you can get a sense of it by walking up and down St. Charles during the parades. You'll see that for locals, Mardi Gras very much is a family event. Then wander into the Quarter, and you'll see that Mardi Gras is all about frat boys getting fall-down drunk. Too many tourists experience Mardi Gras as the latter without taking the time to investigate and appreciate the former. (Of course that's true of New Orleans in general: too many tourists think that the Quarter is New Orleans and that New Orleans is the Quarter, and completely miss out on the best of what the city has to offer.)

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and suggestions.

Looks like I may get the Sonesta after all. Since that's where I really wanted to stay, I think I'm going to go with that even though it will be in the middle of the New Orleans madness. I plan to call back Monday.

We aren't renting a car. But we are going to have south Louisiana friends take us to and from the hotel so hopefully they'll be able to negotiate the trip to the airport on Mardi Gras. One of the friends is a New Orleans native so hoping he can help us enjoy part of the weekend from that viewpoint.

I have masks from previous trips to Nola but how on earth do you even get a costume?

Oh and any recommendations for eating? K-Paul's is a definite for us. I would like an opentable.com suggestion cause have a coupon to use. What about Arnaud's v Galatore's v GW Fins?

I have masks from previous trips to Nola but how on earth do you even get a costume?

Oh and any recommendations for eating? K-Paul's is a definite for us. I would like an opentable.com suggestion cause have a coupon to use. What about Arnaud's v Galatore's v GW Fins?

As far as costumes = anything goes. You may be amazed at the unusual pieces and combinations of clothing items you might find in your own closet (or ask around!) The stranger, the better. A wig goes a LONG way into helping you stand out/get into the spirit!

However, DO NOT COMPROMISE ON YOUR FOOTWEAR. If you want to have (and keep!) a decent position to see the parades, you'll be standing for multiple hours for several days on end.

As far as restaurants go - the only one of the three you've mentioned that I've been to is Galatoire's, and I know this might be sacrilege, but I was not overwhelmed. It wasn't at all bad, but I was really expecting a lot more for the price and the hype. Commander's Palace is fantastic, though that's a little bit further away from the Quarter. Also, there's a place called Red Fish Grill (part of the Brennan empire) that's on Bourbon St. that is more casual, but very good and a fun atmosphere. There is always a great variety of local fish, and the cocktails and double chocolate bread pudding, in particular, are also amazing! They're on opentable.com.

I have eaten at all of these except MiLa and Herbsaint (but I have eaten at his Cochon). All are on OpenTable and all are very well worth the experience.

And, I would eat at any of them before I would ever set foot in K-Paul's.

> Cafe Giovanni
> GW Fins
> Herbsaint
> Lüke
> Ralph's on the Park
> Red Fish Grill
> Restaurant August
> MiLa
> Lilette
> Stella

As far as restaurants go - the only one of the three you've mentioned that I've been to is Galatoire's, and I know this might be sacrilege, but I was not overwhelmed.It might be sacrilege, but this wouldn't be the first time I've come across that sentiment.

I have eaten at all of these ...Definite ^ on Lüke!!! :cool: Good stuff. I'd also recommend Feelings Cafe (http://www.feelingscafe.com/) for a unique (and really good) dining experience.

BTW, Luke does a wonderful Sunday brunch that is completely diff't from the nightly menu. So, go twice... ;)

I'd either stay here: http://www.maisondupuy.com
or the Omni Royal Orleans

Oh yeah, and if you can't abide huge crowds (I mean HUGE), bucket list or no, stay away. We did Mardi Gras in the late '80s and it was madness.

I think there must now be too many people on the planet. Luckily I got a lot of bucket list checks long ago. To go to the US Open, Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl etc. etc. now, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes. Likely an age thing.

I have masks from previous trips to Nola but how on earth do you even get a costume?

As stated earlier, SENSIBLE SHOES are essential. When our neighbor told us about wearing open toed shoes her first trip into the quarter we shivered then laughed at her.

Since you insist on a hotel in the middle of the madness, then perhaps you are interested in the Flashing that the other visitors partake in. If so, I suggest covering up your 'naughty bits' with something funny - stuffed animals, drinking cups, Obama masks, whatever - then cover up with a housecoat, muu-muu, lab jacket or something that can be flashed open to reveal your funny stuff for a laugh, some beads or whatever.

Have fun, don't urinate in public, don't offend a policeman, and you will stay out of OPP (Orleans Parish Prison).

I'd either stay here: http://www.maisondupuy.com
or the Omni Royal Orleans

Oh yeah, and if you can't abide huge crowds (I mean HUGE), bucket list or no, stay away. We did Mardi Gras in the late '80s and it was madness.

I think there must now be too many people on the planet. Luckily I got a lot of bucket list checks long ago. To go to the US Open, Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl etc. etc. now, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes. Likely an age thing.
MG post-Katrina is nothing like pre-Katrina.

MG post-Katrina is nothing like pre-Katrina.When were you last there?

I'd either stay here: http://www.maisondupuy.com
or the Omni Royal Orleans

Oh yeah, and if you can't abide huge crowds (I mean HUGE), bucket list or no, stay away. We did Mardi Gras in the late '80s and it was madness.

I think there must now be too many people on the planet. Luckily I got a lot of bucket list checks long ago. To go to the US Open, Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl etc. etc. now, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes. Likely an age thing.

Thank you for your thoughts. I stayed at the Omni Royal in 2000 and wasn't impressed. One of the smallest hotel rooms I've ever been in. A hotel that didn't try hard pre Katrina. I've been in New Orleans for Lundi Gras so I think I have an idea of what to expect, but maybe I won't. I've also heard that due to the recession/depression that crowds should be lighter for this year's Mardi Gras.

As to the poster who suggested I don't urinate in public, what type of riff raff do you think reads FT? I've found the FT posters to be usually more "high brow" than a frat house so I'm kind of flabbergasted that you even thought such warnings were even needed to me. I'm also flabbergasted that because I want to say at the Sonesta you take me as someone who would flash my boobs publicly?

And to the same poster who made suggestions related to shoes, thank you very much. That was very helpful. To DallasBill thanks for the food suggestions. I will say I've eaten several times at K-Paul's and always had a great experience. I also appreciate and respect that they were one of the first restaurants to open post Katrina unlike say Emeril's.

footwear - you're welcome
public urination - you likely will witness it, if the constabulary does they will arrest them
flashing - I wrote "Since you insist on a hotel in the middle of the madness, then perhaps you are interested in the Flashing that the other visitors partake in." and then suggested a modest way one may dress and still "earn" beads

Since my post left you flabbergasted, please write a trip report to tell us how you feel upon experiencing Mardi Gras Day in the French Quarter.

When were you last there?
Without going waaaay OT here, nothing in N.O. is "the same" post-Katrina, and I've been there 13 times since May 2006.

As for MG, it's not from me -- I will be back in 3 weeks for the first time post-Katrina-MG. It's from my N.O. brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who have had "last 4 days" balcony reservations at Michaul's for the past 11 years. And from one of my best friends, in Gretna, who has a pied-a-terre (w/ balcony) in the 200 block of Bourbon for the past 8.

(I shall be at both locations this year. ;) )

zipadee - yer welcum -- have fun!

Without going waaaay OT here, nothing in N.O. is "the same" post-Katrina, and I've been there 13 times since May 2006.


As a full time, native resident, I have to disagree, for the most part. Are there many things different Post-K? Sure, but, many things are pretty much the same. I could enumerate quite a few in each category, but I won't, except for the one below.

Since we're talking the Carnival season, one small example that I'll be experiencing in slightly less than 3 weeks, is that I still have the same waiters at Antoine's that I've had for years. Will see many of the same people (i.e., Chris Owens) who've had reservations for years for this particular day at the restaurant. Same reservation system for regulars is still in place. However, the Hermes Room is being transformed from a private dining room into a bar .

I was just in MUC last week and I saw quite a few changes since I was there in December. Technically, nothing stays the same forever.

Also, having been a longtime "riding" participant in the festivities, I have to say that things are pretty much back to "normal".

And, just as a point of information for the uninitiated, Carnival Season starts on Twelfth Night and ends on Mardi Gras. Technically, Mardi Gras or, Fat Tuesday, is only one day of Carnival. (Yes, yes, I know, even some natives use Mardi Gras to describe the whole season.)

Anyway, to those of you who will be here to celebrate, I hope you have a safe and happy Mardi Gras!

To the OP: glad that you were able to get the Sonesta. Good hotel, and you'll certainly be in the thick of things. :D

footwear - you're welcome
public urination - you likely will witness it, if the constabulary does they will arrest them
flashing - I wrote "Since you insist on a hotel in the middle of the madness, then perhaps you are interested in the Flashing that the other visitors partake in." and then suggested a modest way one may dress and still "earn" beads

Since my post left you flabbergasted, please write a trip report to tell us how you feel upon experiencing Mardi Gras Day in the French Quarter.

I am sure I will witness public urination. I have in NOLA and other places. I still don't get why "insisting" again your words (I say wanting to, not insisting) means I am going to be flashing people, "modestly" or otherwise. Have I flashed someone in the Quarter? You betcha. I did it back in the 90s. But I was younger and the Internet and Girls Gone Wild etc. wasn't as prevalent and I didn't have a job in which a public airing of flashing could cause great problems. YouTube, My Space and Facebook weren't around back in the 90s. Ask Michael Phelps today. I am not going to do something publicly that could come back to haunt me. That's why I was flabbergasted and that you would use a word such as "insisting."

I am flabbergasted that you might not think a professional person would want to go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I don't care what other people do during Mardi Gras. I've seen streakers at sporting events. Someone could run stark naked down Bouron Street. I once saw on Bourbon Street a woman a top a balcony have sex with a pole while a film crewed filmed her (it was with the Sugar Bowl crowd in January 2000). There could be a menage a trois on Bourbon in the middle of the road as long as I'm not in it for all I care.

Once again, for the record, I spent the Sunday before Mardi Gras and Lundi Gras in the Quarter while staying at the Chateau Le Moyne. If Mardi Gras itself post Katrina is a whole lot crazier than Lundi Gras pre Katrina then I'll definitely write a trip report.

But I'm not going to cover up my "naughty bits" with an Obama mask, appear on YouTube and worry about being fired for it. Do I want to go to New Orleans, drink, enjoy music, experience Mardi gras, have a good time, eat great food and help the south Louisiana economy? You betcha. Just not sure what some posters here think that makes me looney toons.

I did unfortunately discover that K Paul's is closed while I'm there, so I can scratch that off my list.

I did unfortunately discover that K Paul's is closed while I'm there, so I can scratch that off my list.

Plenty of others to choose from in the FQ, CBD, & Warehouse District (all in walking distance).

As for the rest of your comments, +1 ^. During Carnival season, the French Quarter is primarily for adults. If people want a more family friendly atmosphere, then that is available in the Uptown & Garden District areas.

Plenty of others to choose from in the FQ, CBD, & Warehouse District (all in walking distance).

As for the rest of your comments, +1 ^. During Carnival season, the French Quarter is primarily for adults. If people want a more family friendly atmosphere, then that is available in the Uptown & Garden District areas.

Thanks :)

I'd appreciate any and all food suggestions. My preference is really good food from restaurants that were good neighbors post Katrina. That means all Emeril restaurants are off my list :)

French Quarter:

Johnny's Po-Boys - bkfst & lunch
http://www.johnnyspoboy.com

Acme Oysters - lunch

Felix's - lunch ( across the street (Iberville) from Acme)

Gumbo Shop - lunch

Maspero's - lunch very popular, but not my favorite.

Dinner: Antoine's, Arnaud's, Bayona, Cafe Giovanni, Galatoire's, Irene's Cuisine, Iris, Mr. B's, Pelican Club, Stella, etc., etc. Warning! All of these are not in the inexpensive category.

This is certainly not intended to be a comprehensive list.

Also, Central Grocery is one of the last places in the city I would go to for our famous muffaletta. Now, the sandwich is a pale shadow of what it should be, and what Central used to produce years ago.

CBD:

Lunch: Mike Serio's Deli, Singh Ha Thai

Dinner: Cuvee, Herbsaint, MiLa, Restaurant August

Warehouse District:

Dinner: Cochon, Eleven 79, Tommy's

Not all inclusive, but I think it'll give you a good selection. I hope you have a great time! Enjoy!!

We were there over New Years and Sugar Bowl...Huge crowds...2 hour lines at Acme..central grocery line winding around the corner...stayed at the Intercontinental on St Charles (is on Rex parade route).Easy walk to Quarter but a little more quiet. Across the street from Luke (I highly recommend)as well as Stella. Have FUN!!!

......... Technically, nothing stays the same forever.
.......
Precisely my point. we can both enjoy, now! ;)

Like the parades, which until Pip Brennan staged the first Bacchus parade in '69, the superfluous throwing of cheap beads was not done. Beads were a keepsake and were thrown a few a block, not by the hundreds.

Not many people know that rooms were at 50% occupancy back in '68-69 (and with so fewer rooms then!), and Pip is credited with helping revive things. Thus, the parades have never been the same since. Nor has the hoopla and history around them -- bigger, longer, no donkeys pulling the small ones, gone from the Quarter, "all-white krewes" self-dissolved after the '72 (as I recall) non-discriminatory city hall dictates, yada, yada.