South - New Orleans Lodging Options: What would you do?

I am heading to New Orleans for a youth ministry conference being held this July 16-19 at the New Orleans Sheraton at 500 Canal Street. Because the conference is over our anniversary, my husband is going along with me, but not attending the conference. The conference is mainly two full days- July 17 & 18, with some in the evening on the 16 & some in the morning of the 19th.

I am looking to save some money on lodging, but also don't want to be penny wise but pound foolish by missing out on too much time from the conference or my husband by booking a hotel too far away from the conference.

So far, these are my choices:
1. Book the Sheraton, $125 + tax a night.
2. Book the Best Western, just a couple doors down, for about $95 + tax a night. (includes continental breakfast)
3. Book the non-refundable rate at the Hilton St. Charles Ave, about a third of a mile away, for $74 + tax a night. (includes continental breakfast)
4. Book Hotwire 4* hotel for $69 + tax a night, which is likely either the Intercontinental (about a third of a mile away) or the Sheraton (the conference hotel- unlikely, in my opinion)
5. Try my chances on Priceline, where the zone requirements could put me up to a mile away. (although all reported winning bids on bidding for travel and better bidding are only up to a half mile away by foot)

What would you choose for New Orleans in July? Why?

Let me first say that the $125 convention rate is pretty good for the Sheraton, and that there are always advantages to staying in the convention hotel (mostly in the contacts with other attendees).

That said, I like the Hilton better than the Sheraton (I've stayed at both), and $50/night savings plus the free breakfast would make up my mind. Also, the walk from the Hilton is not too bad (2 blocks north + 2 blocks east).

You are right that the $69 Hotwire is likely the Intercontinental or Sheraton. The Sheraton is probably unlikely because of your conference, though it's a big hotel. If it is the Intercontinental, that's about a block farther than the Hilton, not as nice, and probably more expensive when you consider the included breakfast and the Hotwire fees.

I would opt for the Hilton if it was me. I have actually stayed at that Best Western and it was actually pretty good for a Best Western and well situated I thought for the conference center. It was several years ago though.

Thanks for the input. The Hilton also have executive floor rooms for the same $74- which would include the evening reception M-Th. So that's kind of nice.

I have been toying with the idea of bidding a low rate on Priceline- and if I can get a four star hotel for that, great, otherwise, go with the Hilton or one of the others.

Happy anniversary! Mine is July 19, 1985.

New Orleans in July will be hot, humid and have some rain almost daily. This NOAA data from July 2008 shows 27 days of temperatures over 90 F, and 24 days with rain, 15 of those including thunderstorms. The showers are usually brief with the average daily rainfall only 0.10 inch. A tourist without a rigid schedule can duck into a cafe or shop and wait for the rain to stop, but a conventioneer must get to those sessions.

Having said all that, I agree with the deubster - get the Hilton for the breakfast and $50/nt savings. And put a collapsible umbrella in my bag. And get a reservation at Brigtsen's for an anniversary dinner.


These data are preliminary and have not undergone final quality control by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Therefore, these data are subject to revision. Final and certified climate data can be accessed at the NCDC - http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov.
Climatological Report (Monthly)

000
CXUS53 KLIX 061300
CLMNEW


CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS
800 AM CDT WED AUG 6 2008

...................................

...THE NEW ORLEANS CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2008...

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1946 TO 2008

WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
.................................................. ..............
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 101 07/23/1981
07/16/1980
LOW 60 07/16/1967
HIGHEST 97 07/28 MM MM 94 07/11
07/21
LOWEST 72 07/08 MM MM 70 07/15
AVG. MAXIMUM 92.0 91.1 0.9 89.2
AVG. MINIMUM 75.6 74.2 1.4 74.8
MEAN 83.8 82.7 1.1 82.0
DAYS MAX >= 90 27 MM MM 14
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 MM MM 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 MM MM 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 MM MM 0

PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM MM MM
MINIMUM MM MM
TOTALS 3.24 6.20 -2.96 4.26
DAILY AVG. 0.10 0.20 -0.10 0.14
DAYS >= .01 15 MM MM 15
DAYS >= .10 6 MM MM 11
DAYS >= .50 3 MM MM 3
DAYS >= 1.00 0 MM MM 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 1.15 07/08 TO 07/09 07/15 TO 07/16
07/31 TO 07/31
07/31 TO 07/31

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL MM MM
24 HR TOTAL MM
SNOW DEPTH MM MM
TOTALS 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
SINCE 7/1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
SNOWDEPTH AVG. 0 0 0 0
DAYS >= TRACE 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS >= 1.0 0 0.0 0.0 0
GREATEST
SNOW DEPTH 0 MM 0 MM
24 HR TOTAL 0.0 07/31 TO 07/31 07/31 TO 07/31
07/31 TO 07/31
07/31 TO 07/31

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 0 0 0 0
SINCE 7/1 0 0 0 0
COOLING TOTAL 591 538 53 534
SINCE 1/1 1753 1553 200 1625
.................................................. ...............

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 5.5
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 33/320 DATE 07/26
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 54/330 DATE 07/26

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM

NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 4
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 25
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 2

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 73

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 15 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 2 RAIN 7
LIGHT RAIN 15 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 20 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 2
HAZE 6

- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.

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Thanks, all, for the input. Esp. thanks for reminding me to pack an umbrella- I had thought about heat/humidity but not so much about rain. Here's what I ended up doing.

On all of your say-so, I was going to go book the Hilton. However, when I went to price the whole trip, I discovered that I had originally only been pricing the conference dates. However, we are staying a few days extra, so when getting into the work week, the rate went up to an average of $183 a night (even the dates that were $74 stand-alone were more when included with a different reservation). Since we didn't really want to have to move, I decided to try pricelining it.

We got the Intercontinental for $67.75 (all in) a night (7 nights). I know you all said it's not as nice and it is a little further away, but I'm content with it, as that is very affordable for us. Not to mention that it is $40 cheaper a night than the Best Western would have been for our entire stay (rates there were higher too during the week) and we don't have to move during our stay. I don't think we get breakfast with the intercontinental, but my husband isn't a big fan of continental breakfast anyway (which is what it would have been elsewhere), so I might just bring a box of granola bars for me.

Thanks all for your help! (and sorry that I didn't fully check the rates beforehand)

I actually think the ICH is nicer than the Sheraton or Hilton. Enjoy your trip.

I have not stayed at the Sheraton or the Hilton, but the Intercontinental is a fine hotel and your rate can't be beat. Good job!

My favorite cheap food and drink in the area is at Coop's Place, a total dive bar on Decatur Street at the other end of the Quarter. Notwithstanding its scary looks, it's perfectly safe, and the food is great.

Thanks, swag & Blumie for affirming this hotel! And thanks for the hint on cheap eats- always a bonus! The "talked about" restaurants are all pretty pricey, I've been discovering!

Thanks, swag & Blumie for affirming this hotel! And thanks for the hint on cheap eats- always a bonus! The "talked about" restaurants are all pretty pricey, I've been discovering!You're very welcome. There are many things one can do in New Orleans without spending a lot of money. I'm sure you can find, either on line or in a bookstore, self guided walking tours of the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the cemeteries. Another must do is to ride the St. Charles Avenue street car from Canal Street all the way uptown. It's cheap and a great way to see the city. When the street car turns right on Carrollton Ave, hop off and grab a bite to eat at the Camellia Grill (somewhat touristy and a tad bit pricy for what it is, but it's still relatively cheap and a New Orleans institution) or at Cooter Brown's (a college hangout with a great beer selection, good, cheap, greasy eats, and lots of TVs to watch your favorite sporting event). Alternatively, bring a picnic lunch (such as a muffaletta from Central Grocery in the French Quarter -- don't forget lots of napkins) and hop off the street car at Audobon Park, opposite Tulane.

For night time entertainment, cut through the French Quarter on Bourbon Street -- just so you can say you saw it -- but avoid the overpriced, frat boy clubs and continue across Esplanade Ave to Frenchmen Street, where the music generally is much better and cheaper. Some places, such as the Spotted Cat, have great local music and no cover charge (they do have a not-too-well enforced drink minimum, which I encourage you to abide by; it's how they make their money). Snug Harbor and d.b.a., both on Frenchmen Street, are two of the better music clubs in the city, offering some of the best jazz (in the case of Snug Harbor) and New Orleans rock, funk and alternative (in the case of d.b.a.) in the city.

I'm sure you can find, either on line or in a bookstore, self guided walking tours of the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the cemetaries.

Blumie, you are the font of information. Everything you suggested sounded good. However, something else I read online advised not going into the cemeteries without a group due to high crime/muggings? Were they just being alarmist or is there some truth to it?

Blumie, you are the font of information. Everything you suggested sounded good. However, something else I read online advised not going into the cemeteries without a group due to high crime/muggings? Were they just being alarmist or is there some truth to it?It would be worth getting the views of some real locals, not just wanna-bes like me, but I think that the major cemeteries -- St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Lafayette Cemetery -- have large enough crowds during the daylight hours that you should be fine.

Lafayette #1 is probably the safest, and it's location is ideal to combine a visit with a Garden District walk or St Charles streetcar ride.

Blumie is a fountain of info, but he made a common error - it's spelled Frenchmen St. ;)

But he's correct that it's the place to go for a music crawl. Besides the Spotted Cat (jazz), the Apple Barrel (blues) is also free. Dba is either free or low cover, and has a huge beer selection. Add Snug Harbor, Blue Nile, Rays, Lazizza, Cafe Negril, the Dragons Den, and (around the corner) Balcony Club & Checkpoint Charlies, and you've got possibly the most musical 3 blocks on earth.

Blumie is a fountain of info, but he made a common error - it's spelled Frenchmen St. ;)I have no idea what you're talking about!

As a N.O. native, I'll agree that Blumie gave you some very good tips, with one exception, Central Grocery would probably be the last place I would get a muffuletta.

I, also, concur that Lafayette Cemetery would probably be the safest one to visit, unless you have a car, then you can go visit the ones out by City Park Ave & Metairie Road.

As a N.O. native, I'll agree that Blumie gave you some very good tips, with one exception, Central Grocery would probably be the last place I would get a muffuletta.

I, also, concur that Lafayette Cemetery would probably be the safest one to visit, unless you have a car, then you can go visit the ones out by City Park Ave & Metairie Road.

Or take the cable car.

...Central Grocery would probably be the last place I would get a muffuletta.

So where would you get one? :)

Thanks, everybody, this is turning into quite the "what to do in NOLA" thread without my even trying very hard! Thanks for all the tips.

Are there any of the music venues that you'd recommend for newbie to jazz? Would like to take some in, just because it's part of the culture, but not really sure about it...

Or take the cable car.

I think you mean the streetcar, we don't have cable cars in New Orleans.

I think you mean the streetcar, we don't have cable cars in New Orleans.

Yah you right.Sorry!

So where would you get one? :) Yes, please do tell FLYMSY! I'm not a huge muffaletta eater, but I've always enjoyed the ones at Central Grocery. Have you tried Liuzza's (on Bienville) version (the "Frenchaletta")? How about the Napoleon House?


Are there any of the music venues that you'd recommend for newbie to jazz? Would like to take some in, just because it's part of the culture, but not really sure about it...Just stroll over to Frenchmen Street, as discussed above. At most of the venues, you can check out the music from the sidewalk without any commitment of going in or buying a drink. (And none of these places object to your sticking your head in the door to check them out before deciding to go in.) Snug Harbor is one of the more serious jazz venues in the city, but you can't check out the place without buying a ticket. (The music at Snug does not overflow onto the sidewalk like it does at most of the other Frenchmen Street venues.)

You should know that New Orleans music comprises so much more than what people think of as jazz. Just walk up and down Frenchmen Street and some of the adjacent side streets; you'll be able to hear lots of different varieties of New Orleans music, and can pop in and out of many different venues without paying a cover charge, or paying very small cover charges. It's entirely consistent with the way people listen to music in New Orleans to hit several different venues on the same night. You would not be the only one to go back and forth among the Frenchmen Street clubs several times in the same night.

So where would you get one? :)

Since I'm local, I tend to go to the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall places. However, since you're going to be in the CBD & French Quarter area, I would probably choose Johnny's PoBoy (FQ) or Mike Serio's Deli (CBD) at 133 St. Charles. Others you can choose from are Maspero's and Napoleon House. I will say that Central Grocery has an interesting and charming decor, so you may want to go there, it's just that it is not my favorite for a muffuletta. I like to go to the Napoleon House for a drink called a Pimm's Cup. You can Google all of these for more info. BTW, do NOT go to any of these during peak lunch time.


[/QUOTE]Are there any of the music venues that you'd recommend for newbie to jazz? Would like to take some in, just because it's part of the culture, but not really sure about it...[/QUOTE]

Swag & Blumie gave you some good suggestions. If you want a historic venue, then you might try Preservation Hall. The ghosts of some of the greats should still be hanging around. Try this website if you want an authoritative guide to New Orleans music (all forms).

www.offbeat.com

Make sure to read the article on Irvin Mayfield, whose new jazz club opens this weekend.

Yes, please do tell FLYMSY! I'm not a huge muffaletta eater, but I've always enjoyed the ones at Central Grocery. Have you tried Liuzza's (on Bienville) version (the "Frenchaletta")? How about the Napoleon House?


If I told you, then I might have to kill you. I don't want all of my neighborhood joints overrun with FTers, oops, I mean tourists. :D :D

If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you to try Parkway Bakery & Tavern. Also, I like to go to a little grocery store, Sam's, near my house. It is like traveling back in time. White frame building, kinda ramshackle, homemade chest-high wood tables covered with Formica and you sit on stools. Just like in the good old days, you can only get shrimp poboys on Fridays. I love going in there to get my sandwich and a Barq's and people watch or striking up conversations with strangers. The ladies who work in there are a hoot! It's a real blue collar place.

In actuality, there are really quite a few places all over the city for a good muffuletta, on both sides of the river and in other parishes. You're just not really going to find it in the FQ or the CBD. Passable, but not great.

As for Liuzza's on Bienville, I only order seafood poboys when I go there, so I can't speak to their muffulettas.

BTW, have you tried Domilese's in Uptown? Talk about a classic hole-in-the-wall New Orleans poboy joint!!!!!

If I told you, then I might have to kill you. I don't want all of my neighborhood joints overrun with FTers, oops, I mean tourists. :D :D

If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you to try Parkway Bakery & Tavern. Also, I like to go to a little grocery store, Sam's, near my house. It is like traveling back in time. White frame building, kinda ramshackle, homemade chest-high wood tables covered with Formica and you sit on stools. Just like in the good old days, you can only get shrimp poboys on Fridays. I love going in there to get my sandwich and a Barq's and people watch or striking up conversations with strangers. The ladies who work in there are a hoot! It's a real blue collar place.

In actuality, there are really quite a few places all over the city for a good muffuletta, on both sides of the river and in other parishes. You're just not really going to find it in the FQ or the CBD. Passable, but not great.

As for Liuzza's on Bienville, I only order seafood poboys when I go there, so I can't speak to their muffulettas.

BTW, have you tried Domilese's in Uptown? Talk about a classic hole-in-the-wall New Orleans poboy joint!!!!!Thanks! I'm embarrassed to say that, although I'm well aware of both Parkway and Domilese's, I haven't been to either! I'll have to add Sam's to the list, too.

As far as these places being overrun, the good news and the bad news, as I know you well know, is that it's hard to get most tourists to believe that there's more to New Orleans than the French Quarter, except perhaps if it's to wait in a too-long line at Camellia Grill.

Thanks! I'm embarrassed to say that, although I'm well aware of both Parkway and Domilese's, I haven't been to either!

I've contacted the New Orleans Border Patrol and you are being put on Double Secret Probation. If you don't go to at least one of them on your next visit, you risk being banished to the FQ for all future visits.

[/QUOTE] ....except perhaps if it's to wait in a too-long line at Camellia Grill.[/QUOTE]

Agreed, and I know of at least 11 cafes & restaurants within about 200 feet of Camellia Grill.

I've contacted the New Orleans Border Patrol and you are being put on Double Secret Probation. If you don't go to at least one of them on your next visit, you risk being banished to the FQ for all future visits.Well, I've learned a lot about New Orleans over the course of multiple yearly visits over the last 20+ years (this year will mark my 22nd consecutive visit to JazzFest). I learned early on that the appeal of Bourbon Street ain't so appealing. I learned where to find great music and food and how to pace myself because the band advertising a 9pm show likely won't hit the stage til midnight. I learned that the vast majority of the city's treasures lie outside of the French Quarter, and that the State of Louisiana has wonderful treasures beyond NOLA's borders. But I've also learned that 50+ visits over 22 years has not made me a de facto local. One example of this:

Over the course of 22 years of visits to New Orleans, I have had the opportunity to visit most, if not all, of NOLA's great, high end restaurants, most on multiple occasions. And the one place that remained a mystery to me was Commander's Palace. I knew there had to be substance behind its reputation, but I didn't get it; I just did not enjoy my visits there. So when I changed jobs to a firm with a New Orleans office (many accuse me of changing to this firm because of its New Orleans office) and my New Orleans partner invited me to join him for dinner, I told him I wanted him to take me to Commander's; I wanted to experience Commander's as a local. What a different experience! From the second we walked in until the moment -- hours later -- when we left, not a single staff member walked within 10 feet of us without rushing over to greet my partner by name and to tell him how happy they were to see him. We never saw menus. The head waiter engaged us in a discussion about what we were interested in, and then planned a meal for us. The food was magnificent. A check never was presented (locals are billed; they are not presented with checks). It was a wonderful experience.

So while I like to be a big shot and like being able to answer visitors' inquiries about what to do and where to stay and where to eat and where to see the best music in New Orleans, I always will welcome the advice of those who really know.

Not much to add except to say that Commander's isn't the only one like you describe. You're the type of visitor that we truly appreciate. Happy Jazz Fest!

I had the best time at Commanders when two friends were captains there.
They talked me into opening an account,which really does make a difference.
My favorite benefit was the red ribbon on our reserved lunch table.It was funny watching other dinners trying to figure out who these docker and poloshirt people were.
It was also fun having the entire staff come and greet us,from Ella and Dick to the bus people.
It also helped that we went out for beers with the floor staff during their midday break.
20th year at Jazzfest for me.
Just a Midcity kinda guy.

As a N.O. native, I'll agree that Blumie gave you some very good tips, with one exception, Central Grocery would probably be the last place I would get a muffuletta.

I, also, concur that Lafayette Cemetery would probably be the safest one to visit, unless you have a car, then you can go visit the ones out by City Park Ave & Metairie Road.
The 2 cemetaries at the top of Canal, at City Park & Metairie Rd, are where my wife's family send "outa-towners" all the time. It's very easy to hop the Canal streetcar anywhere downtown and then get on it for the trip back. The biggest one -- straight across/north from the last stop -- is by far the most interesting of the two. Pay attention to where Mandina's is on the way up and stop for a drink or a bite to eat on the way back. Or, ask the operator and they will let you off at the proper time.

Finally, Parasol's (http://www.parasols.com/) in the Irish Channel -- just a couple of blocks, river side, from Magazine and 2nd -- is a much as a po'boy dive as Domilise's and every bit as good. Get the fried pickles, too!

[QUOTE=DallasBill;11461526]The 2 cemetaries at the top of Canal, at City Park & Metairie Rd, are where my wife's family send "outa-towners" all the time. It's very easy to hop the Canal streetcar anywhere downtown and then get on it for the trip back. The biggest one -- straight across/north from the last stop -- is by far the most interesting of the two. Pay attention to where Mandina's is on the way up and stop for a drink or a bite to eat on the way back./QUOTE]

Those 2 cemeteries are pretty safe and worth seeing, however, Metairie is worth seeing for it's opulence and visiting the rich and famous/infamous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metairie_Cemetery

As far as Mandina's, it has the local color and a reputation, but I don't care for it. It's the only place I've been in that I couldn't eat a fried shrimp platter - horrible! I just pushed my plate away and didn't say anything because I didn't want to create a commotion because of the people I was with.

Parasol's is a good recommendation.

Thanks! I'm embarrassed to say that, although I'm well aware of both Parkway and Domilese's, I haven't been to either! I'll have to add Sam's to the list, too.

I've contacted the New Orleans Border Patrol and you are being put on Double Secret Probation. If you don't go to at least one of them on your next visit, you risk being banished to the FQ for all future visits.D'oh! I completely forgot that on one of my recent trips, in which I arrived mid afternoon (on most of my trips, I arrive late at night and head straight for the bar at Coop's!), I detoured to Domelise's, sat at the bar and had a shrimp po'boy. It was great! (On a trip prior to that one, also a mid-aftenoon arrival, I detoured to Crabby Jacks, which was good, but not nearly as good as Domelise's.) So call off the border patrol and cancel the double secret probation. Now I just need to get to Parkway.

.......however, Metairie is worth seeing for it's opulence and visiting the rich and famous/infamous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metairie_Cemetery

As far as Mandina's, it has the local color and a reputation, but I don't care for it. It's the only place I've been in that I couldn't eat a fried shrimp platter - horrible! I just pushed my plate away and didn't say anything because I didn't want to create a commotion because of the people I was with.

Parasol's is a good recommendation.
Didn't know you knew of my dead grandparents-in-law... :eek: ;)

Sorry to hear it -- never had a bad meal at Mandina's, pre-or post-K.