Starwood Preferred Guest - New Orleans Starwood Properties pre Katrina in 2005

Where would be a good place to stay in New Orleans if planning to be near the arena?

Is there good public transport, or is it good to have a rental car there?

The W New Orleans on Poydras Street is about 10 blocks away from the Arena. They currently have a Winter Promo rate of $109 for some dates http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This W is a good suggestion.

I wouldn't bother renting a car in NOLA. It can be hard to find parking, plus it's a hassle when you consider how easy it is to grab a cab or a seat in the streetcar.

Just think -- all that time you might spend at the rental counter or looking around for a parking space can be better spent at a good New Orleans restaurant. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

yeah, starwood doesn't really have a hotel near the Superdome (if that's the arena you mean--sorry if it's not). and, you wouldn't want to stay right near the Superdome. i believe the Hyatt is right there, though.

but, cabs are cheap and plentiful so there's no reason to rent a car.

i would choose the W since it's across the street from the casino, very convenient, and a great property. they have always recognized my Platinum status and given me a great room. they have a nice gym (which was falling apart when i was there last but the hotel manager emailed me with assurances that it was going to be fixed up).

i would avoid the Sheraton at all costs. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The Hyatt is right next door to the Arena but why in the heck would you want to stay up near there. $5 taxi ride from any hotel in The Quarter.

auh2o - in NOLA and headed to the areaa tonight...

just a little point of reference from a NOLA girl. You can't take a streetcar down Poydras to the Arena. The new arena is right next to the Superdome. It looks so little next to the dome, but is a great venue and have enjoyed seeing the Hornets plya there as well as going to a few concerts. If you can't get the W Poydras I would go for the Sheraton. I personally was very disappointed with the W French Quarter. Catching a cab from W Poydras is much easier since you are right across the street from the casino.

Not to mention that, failing a cab, the arena is about a 10-15 minute walk from the W.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
i would avoid the Sheraton at all costs. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

How bad is the Sheraton? I was looking to stay there in a few weeks...

wildblueyonder:

The Sheraton isn't bad at all. Some months ago they were doing some remodeling, but that's done now. And like most people, if you're polite to the hotel employees, they are nice back to you. We had a great stay there, and were upgraded to a suite (as a platinum member) without any problem. Our room was clean, room service was prompt, and the hotel's in a good location.

Enjoy your stay!

[This message has been edited by jmoreita (edited 12-10-2002).]

despite jmoreita's optimism, i had an abysmal stay there over the summer. yes, they were remodeling and if the work is done your stay might be better. but, i would make two observations.

first, jmoreita finds his life more complete when he disagrees with me. so, that alone might have clouded his judgement or led to his/her post. had i not made that comment, jmoreita might not have even posted a reply.

second, even though the hotel was in the midst of remodeling, incompetent service is still incompetent service. please search for my summer trip report and you can see that repeated phone calls to managers over the course of two days weren't returned despite promises, etc.

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 12-10-2002).]

Thanks for the feedback on the Sheraton...

The W's weren't available for my trip (except at the $350/night platinum override price--which was a bit steep this go around), so I decided to go with the Fairmont.... looks very nice, but I guess my comments will go on a different board.

I am planning on being in New Orleans in early September and am looking at booking a points stay. I am looking at the 'W' in the French Quarter. I have never been there, does anyone have some input? Any other suggestions?

I am planning on being in New Orleans in early September and am looking at booking a points stay. I am looking at the 'W' in the French Quarter. I have never been there, does anyone have some input? Any other suggestions?


I've stayed at both New Orleans properties and they each have their pros and cons. I thought that the rooms on Poydras were a little nicer, but the location was less convenient. The French Quarter W has more "atmosphere" You hear some noise and bustle from the street below (at least we did) but it's located in the heart of the Vieux Carré, which is fun if you're exploring the neighborhood.

Both had good service.

I had some problems with the W on Poydras, but the GM took good care of me. This hotel is right in downtown within walking distance from everything.

Stayed at the Westin in NO and would not recommend this property. My room was dingy and rug was stained, towel actually had a cigarette burn mark that I didn't notice till after using it (non smoking room). Public spaces are just ok

Want to use points for one night in December (on our way home from WDW). Any experiences? I don't mind walking to the FQ, just want the best experience. Can I get any type of an upgrade w/ gold when using a free night?

Thanks.

A search should tell you all you need to know.

W Hotel on Poydras

Want to use points for one night in December (on our way home from WDW). Any experiences? I don't mind walking to the FQ, just want the best experience. Can I get any type of an upgrade w/ gold when using a free night?

Thanks.

It all depends on the experience that you are looking for. If you still have questions after doing a search, please feel free to post specifics.

I prefer the W on Poydras rather than the W in the French Quarter. My last stay at the W in the French Quater (Halloween) was very disappointing. I received no reponse to my first letter to the General Manager and his reply the second time didn't really address my concerns. The problems were with room cleanliness and staff indifference.

W on Poydras - across the street is Mother's, a New Orleans "institution" for cajun food. Very casual - jambalaya, oyster po-boy, cajun mary...can't lose ;)

I think the W in the FQ is nicer than the W on Poydras, the latter having a little bit too much of an industrial hotel-makeover feel for me. Make sure to have some beignets at the Cafe Du Monde!

W on Poydras - across the street is Mother's, a New Orleans "institution" for cajun food. Very casual - jambalaya, oyster po-boy, cajun mary...can't lose ;)

A personal favorite of mine is the "debris" po-boy. Debris are the small pieces of roast beef that fall onto the cutting board when slicing a roast. Very juicy, very tender and very delicious. While Mother's is a little overpriced, it is regularly visited by locals. I don't know of anything on the menu that isn't good. ^

Last trip(first trip also_went to Mothers 3 times during a 4 day trip!Stayed at the Wyndham whitney(great little hotel)I am glad they don't have a place like Mothers here-I would be much fatter than I am now!

W on Poydras!
Definitely not the Sheraton.

I am at W Paydras as we speak and it's a great property. Location and service of the hotel is great and highly recomend "Nola" restaurant in the FQ.

It would be helpful if everyone would post their reasons for preferring one location over another. Currently, a reader can't tell what might be the reason for choosing one property based on their own personal preferences.

Just a thought.....

It would be helpful if everyone would post their reasons for preferring one location over another. Currently, a reader can't tell what might be the reason for choosing one property based on their own personal preferences.

Just a thought.....or they could do a search and read the detailed reviews already posted about these hotels.

*Wood in New Orleans? Any recent stays? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346941&highlight=orleans)

What's the difference between a "kool" room and "focus" room at W New Orleans FQ (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339351&highlight=orleans)

W New Orleans - French Quarter (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175747&highlight=orleans)

Opinions - SPG Properties in San Antonio or New Orleans (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320295&highlight=orleans)

My adventures at the W on Poydras, in New Orleans (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314841&highlight=orleans)

Sheraton New Orleans (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174734&highlight=orleans)

W French Quarter (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175100&highlight=orleans)

W New Orleans Revisited and Rises to New Heights (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174003&highlight=orleans)

--- you get the idea. There are plenty of threads on NOLA SPG properties. All fairly recent.

...highly recomend "Nola" restaurant in the FQ.

Ah, home of the double-cut, stuffed pork chop. Yummm.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

It would be helpful if everyone would post their reasons for preferring one location over another. Currently, a reader can't tell what might be the reason for choosing one property based on their own personal preferences.

Just a thought.....
You're quite right, bigjim. Here's my rationale.

I find the Sheraton very impersonal. It's got that large convention hotel feel. The lobby is crowded and very busy. Had coffee and dessert at the lobby bar/cafe area (across from the Starbucks -- which is the best part of the hotel). Very slow service. Anyway, the hotel is just too busy (and it's right on a very busy street).
The W was very nice and the staff attentive and polite. In a previous thread I recounted the way a bellman went out of his way to help a guest move to the Hilton. As a lowly gold I got upgraded to a nice corner room which was very spacious. Overall I like the property very much.

I have looked at the other threads, and am leaning towards taking a chance on the W - FQ since it is a one night stay, and may have more romantic ambience. We have already been to New Orleans twice this year with our kitties - Loews (grand luxury king) for 4 nights at Mardi Gras, and the Hotel Monaco (Medit. suite) for 8 nights in June. Previously we have stayed at the Omni Royal (deluxe balcony) and the RC's Maison Orleans. Based on our previous hotels will I be disappointed? We are only Gold, and it will be a free/point Saturday night stay, so I am not sure what kind of room to expect. Any room suggestions? Is it out of the question to get a tub (I am a "tub" person)? It's a birthday trip for my husband, so I would like it to be nice.

We have yet to try Mother's - we always end up at Johnny's - but we will have to try it one of these days. Nola is one of our favorites. It sounds like my husband wants to go to Acme for oysters when we arrive, and then to Port of Call late in the evening, followed by Cafe du Monde. Hopefully we will take in some Christmas lights, as we have never been to New Orleans at that time of year.

Thanks for any other suggestions....

I think that your expectations are a little high for the W FQ in comparison to the hotels that you cited. Most of the rooms at the W FQ are tiny. For a free stay as a Gold, I can't get really excited for you. I've only had a room with a tub twice as a Platinum and they were both suite upgrades.

If you were paying for a suite, you might be happy with the W FQ - the bathrooms are actually nicer IMHO than the rooms for most of the standard rooms. The showers are generally spacious slate tile. I don't think that any of the standard rooms have tubs.

You will definitely have the ambience of being in the FQ. The W is generally party central on the weekends and again, unless you have a suite, the noise from drunks wandering in at all hours of the night can be a bit frustrating. I finally invested in a white noise machine that goes with me everywhere. :)

It sounds as if the W - FQ is somewhat like the Omni Royal, in that the regular rooms are small, and you pay for being in the center of the action by losing some sleep from all the noise. Since we haven't stayed at the Omni in 3 years, I forgot about that aspect... I will have to think about that a bit more, as we will be driving straight home to San Diego from NOLA.

We are a bit spoiled, as we usually travel on vacation during the off-season, and get great room rates, free upgrades and no crowds. Can't have everything all of the time... ;)

Have only stayed at the W Poydras, not at FQ or Sheraton. But I LOVED my stay so much that I'm returning again this year, not even considering the other properties.

Reasons: the staff is absolutely first-rate, from front-desk staff and bellmen and housekeeping to the terrific GM. Rooms are great, and as a Platinum I was upgraded to a terrific suite (didn't go at the busiest time of year, however). Walk to the FQ is very short and pleasant--and you can retreat to a nice quiet place when you're done. Mother's is great. So is Harrod's. I'm not a gambler (have never been to Vegas), but I thought was fun to cross the street to and play an hour of slots (with free drinks) in the nice, air-conditioned darkness. I made HUGE profit of $15.00 (!)--but hey, with the free drinks, it was a profitable hour!

The bar the W Poydras is great, too. Lots of room to spread out--and some of the BEST and most beautifully presented martinis you'll ever have! Room service was prompt and of an unusually high quality.

Hope that's enough reasons for you! (maybe those who stay at the FQ or Sheraton can give you THEIR reasons, so you can compare).

Does anybody have any idea why it seems that all Starwood hotels (actually all hotels) in New Orleans are sold out November 5-7? I see where there is a Tulane/Navy game, but surely that wouldn't sell the city out?

Boy, do I miss the search feature!

Short getaway and we're seriously considering New Orleans. Any info about the two "W" hotels? Where do I want to be? How well can I expect to be treated as a Platinum?

Appreciate the help.

I spent a couple nights at the Four Points at the airport. It was pretty run down, but there were some signs posted that remodelling was coming this summer (I think). The area was ok, near a Best Buy and mall type of shopping.

We also stayed 1 night at the French Quarter W Hotel. The location was right in the French Quarter. It is a rather small hotel, about 100 rooms, but very comfortable. I have no experience with other W hotels, but it was as good or better than some of the Westins that I've been to.

My understanding is that the other W hotel is not too close to the French Quarter, but there is a Sheraton that is pretty close.

I've stayed at the "other" W, and its really quite nice. Excellent staff, and I like the location too. Across the street from Harrahs and Mothers restaurant.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410987&highlight=Orleans - re FQ W

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409958&highlight=Orleans - re W New Orleans

if you look back a simple two days you will find two extensive threads on New Orleans' starwoods. yes, search is down, but just the tiniest bit of elbow grease can sometimes yield results. ;)

Thanks to all for the quick responses. The reviews of the W FQ are among the worst I've ever read. I'm a timeshare guy because I love the extra room and I tend to get up so much earlier than my wife. Sounds like the rooms at the W FQ would be a true hell for me.

We're still deciding between five days in Dublin or in New Orleans. Whatever we decide, we won't be staying at the W FQ!

Thanks again.

Thanks to all for the quick responses. The reviews of the W FQ are among the worst I've ever read. I'm a timeshare guy because I love the extra room and I tend to get up so much earlier than my wife. Sounds like the rooms at the W FQ would be a true hell for me.

We're still deciding between five days in Dublin or in New Orleans. Whatever we decide, we won't be staying at the W FQ!

Thanks again.If you are looking for huge rooms then most any hotel room in any New Orleans hotel will NOT satisify your needs. The W FQ has some quirks but it is still a nice hotel with a great location for walking to things in the FQ.

The other option is the Sheraton New Orleans. the rooms are larger but it is a huge convention hotel. The rooms are all recently remodeled and as long as a big convention isn't in town then suite upgrades for Plats are plentiful and the room rates are cheap.

Go to the original Thread to see my report on W New Orleans... it wasn't that good...:(

I guess the only question left is - since I'm going with my wife and not my friends, should I bring my clubs to Dublin!

Thanks to all.

I do not like any of the W hotels in NOLA. The geometry of the W on Poydras I find particularly annoying.

I do prefer using HH or SPG, however for NOLA I generally use the Intercontinental [6C]. Next trip to NOLA I will probably book at the new Homewood Suites [HH].

M8

I pray the people at New Orleans Starwood Hotels and New Orleans in general are able to deal with the hurricane. Please update this thread with any information for those who were staying at SPG NO Hotels this weekend and got stuck or what happens to the hotels.

CNN just did a segment from the Sheraton New Orleans. It looks like they've put up guests/other visitors up in the ballroom.

Fox News is reporting from the W on Poydras (haven't seen any video yet). The Fox correspondent was very complimentary of the hotel staff.

The Fox reporter is in front of the W Poydras now-- it seems as if NO may be spared the brunt. He's reporting that the predicted flooding may not happen.

Let's hope that New Orleans gets through this--

He just gave another update. Hotel is filled to 100% capacity. Everyone is now out of the rooms and in the 2nd floor ballroom, sprawled on the floor with blankets or on chairs. Power went out at 6 am local time.

Buildings across the street have had windows blown out on the highrises. Debris is all over the street, but the good news is that the streets seem to be draining well.

Wouldn't hurricane reporting be a good gig from a FT point of view? First, while everyone else is inconvenienced by the irregular operations, the inconveniences are what the reporter is there for (the more inconvenient, the more dramatic, and thus the better for his/her career). And presumably the network compensates the reporter for "hazard duty" (or perhaps the compensation for exceptional circumstances comes only in enhanced career opportunity?).

And then after the reporter returns home from a gloriously (for the reporter) catastrophic experience, there's the letter in the mail about how "Our hotel regrets the discomfort you recently experienced while a guest at our hotel, and we would like to soften your discomfort with the following bonuses and credits..."

And then after the reporter returns home from a gloriously (for the reporter) catastrophic experience, there's the letter in the mail about how "Our hotel regrets the discomfort you recently experienced while a guest at our hotel, and we would like to soften your discomfort with the following bonuses and credits..."
Honestly, do you think a hotel is going to do this for its guests? The hurricane is an act of God, it's not the hotel's fault. In no way would I, at least, expect this from them. I would just be eternally grateful for surviving unscathed!!! And very appreciative of all the hotel's efforts to help everyone. @:-)

Plus, I think it's not really on topic.

New Orleans is, unfortunately, VERY hard hit by Katrina, and I do send out my best wishes to all who are there, and hope for the best possible, given the extent of the damage. :(

Wouldn't hurricane reporting be a good gig from a FT point of view? First, while everyone else is inconvenienced by the irregular operations, the inconveniences are what the reporter is there for (the more inconvenient, the more dramatic, and thus the better for his/her career). And presumably the network compensates the reporter for "hazard duty" (or perhaps the compensation for exceptional circumstances comes only in enhanced career opportunity?).

And then after the reporter returns home from a gloriously (for the reporter) catastrophic experience, there's the letter in the mail about how "Our hotel regrets the discomfort you recently experienced while a guest at our hotel, and we would like to soften your discomfort with the following bonuses and credits..."


????? Huh ?????? There is a point deeply embedded in there. Just need to decipher.

????? Huh ?????? There is a point deeply embedded in there. Just need to decipher.

So we should book hotels in disaster areas for bonuses? Not sure I fully understand the point.

Would we call such a trip into hurricane paths "Extreme MRs"?

Looks like New Orleans was relatively spared by the hurricane.. lots of damage but could have been much much worse... Good luck to everyone in the area.

The NOLA Hyatt... http://www.cityofno.com/Resources/Portal1/Dsc_0030_lg.jpg

Nobody here is going to stay/visit NOLA for a long, long time, in light of the this disaster perhaps some here should try temper what are beginning to appear like at best insensitive comments( actually very stupid IMHO)

The loss of life especially in the poorer areas of the city could be surprising in light of news reports of hundreds of people being rescued :( .

mike

So we should book hotels in disaster areas for bonuses? Not sure I fully understand the point.

Would we call such a trip into hurricane paths "Extreme MRs"?

Goodness, no, I'm not suggesting that ordinary people book hotels in the path of a hurricane in hopes of earning compensation (and as KathyWdrf points out, the hotel would be within its rights not to offer such). And I do see that my comment could be taken as insensitive, perhaps. In fact, I do share the concern I think we all have for those who have suffered and will suffer from the effects of the storm.

If you'll re-read my post, it refers only to "news" reporters. I've been struck by the way radio and TV reporters (and perhaps to a lesser extent print media reporters as well) all seem to be in town in hopes of getting the most dramatic story of suffering and damage, whether it has any real bearing on the "news" or not. Is it news that housekeeping staff at damaged hotels may lose a month's desperately needed wages while the hotel's closed for renovations? It it news that many of the emergency procedures put in place in years of planning actually worked to save lives and mitigate suffering? Well, sure, but those stories are not worth a moments notice if a reporter can get video of a roof blowing off or flames consuming a building, or bodies floating in the water, to illustrate narrative comments of "unprecedented fury lashing the homes of millions of helpless victims who cling in terror to the last twig remaining above water..." or, well, you get my drift. So often, these folks seem to almost add to the victimization by seeking drama over substance.

And then, after coming away from the experience with the "bounty" of all the suffering and destruction they've banked in their cameras, comes the (possible) reward from the hotel for the suffering they've "endured."

Unfortunately, sometimes sarcasm doesn't quite translate in text the way it sounds in my mind when I write it.

And as KathyWdrf also observed, my observation, while prompted by a preceding post, is really not on topic for this thread, so perhaps we can return to the topic of reports from anyone who may have experienced the storm. My apologies, welookgood.com, for hijacking your thread.

i just received an email from W FQ that my reservation for this weekend was cancelled (not that i intended to go). it appears that as of right now both Ws are not accepting new arrivals until monday september 5th.

I was staying at the Sheraton N.O. this past weekend. Left on Sunday morning, managed to get a cab to the airport, get a hertz rental and drive to Houston.

I wrote a brief trip report (negative and positive experiences) in the Sheraton N.O. thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430490

I really hope all the people I met, and decided to stay, are doing well.

I am in New Orleans. I am stuck here. I have a prepaid reservation made on SPG.com at the Westin Times Square for Thursday night. I am not going to make it to NYC. Reading the reservation, it looks like I am going to have to eat the $249.00 room rate. Anyone have an idea as to how I can get refunded or at least a credit for this room?

Did you call the Westin?

I am in New Orleans. I am stuck here. I have a prepaid reservation made on SPG.com at the Westin Times Square for Thursday night. I am not going to make it to NYC. Reading the reservation, it looks like I am going to have to eat the $249.00 room rate. Anyone have an idea as to how I can get refunded or at least a credit for this room?

Call Corporate Customer Service and tell them what is going on. 800-328-6242.

Good luck, and stay safe.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Have you even called the Hotel and see if they would allow you to cancel and get a Full refund under the circumstances.

the Only problem you might run into is that you lsited yourself as from TX so if the Hotel has your home also as TX they might ask for some proff that in fact that you are in NO. Im sure if you can provide that if asked that they would work with you.

Hotel could not offer assistance, but they transferred me to corporate who called the hotel and got everything straightened out. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hotel could not offer assistance, but they transferred me to corporate who called the hotel and got everything straightened out. Thanks for the suggestions.

Just out of curiosity, why couldn't the hotel assist you?

From the SPG website--it's obviously a whole lot worse than anyone thought yesterday; I imagine it will be a few (or several) months before anyone is staying anywhere in NOLA again:

LAST UPDATED : August-30-2005 6:30 PM ET
Hotel Name Exceptions/Comments
Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach Due to Hurricane Katrina, the property will waive late cancellation penalties for guests arriving Tuesday, August 30th through Thursday, September 1st. The Beachside Pool, Hot Tub and Kiwi's Beachside Bar and Grill will be closed until further notice.
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel Due to damages from Hurricane Katrina, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel will be closed through Thursday, September 15th. The hotel is waiving late cancellation penalties for arrivals through Thursday, September 15th. Please contact the hotel for further information.
Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel, Sheraton Yankee Trader Hotel The Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Sheraton Yankee Trader hotels are experiencing intermittent phone outages at this time with no estimation as to when it will be fixed. Additionally, the swimming pools are closed until further notice due to damages from the hurricane. Please contact the hotels for further information.
W New Orleans - French Quarter Due to damages from Hurricane Katrina, the W French Quarter Hotel will be closed through Thursday, September 15th. The hotel is waiving late cancellation penalties for arrivals through Thursday, September 15th. Please contact the hotel for further information.
W New Orleans Due to damages from Hurricane Katrina, the W New Orleans Hotel will be closed through Thursday, September 15th. The hotel is waiving late cancellation penalties for arrivals through Thursday, September 15th. Please contact the hotel for further information.
Sheraton Suites Key West Due to Hurricane Katrina, the Sheraton Suites Key West is currently under renovations however hotel services are fully operational at this time. Please contact the hotel for further information.
Westin Atlanta Airport Due to Hurricane Katrina, the Westin Atlanta Airport has changed it's cancel policy to 6pm day of arrival for guests who are trying to cancel reservations arriving on Monday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 31. All cancellation fees for reservations cancelled during this time will be waived if cancelling due to Hurricane Katrina.
Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans Airport Due to Hurricane Katrina, the Four Points New Orleans Airport Hotel will be closed through Thursday, September 1st. The hotel is waiving late cancellation penalties for arrivals through Thursday, September 1st. Please contact the hotel for further updates.
Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel Due to Hurricane Katrina, the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center will be waiving cancellation fees for guests arriving Tuesday, August 30th through Friday, September 2nd. The hotel is open and does have power restored. Please contact the hotel for further information.

Glad it got fixed. Yes, I would have thought that front desk would have been best bet. I hope you have a safe journey out of N.O. Be safe and careful.

There appeared to be a major fire across the street from the big W today from what I saw on TV

There appeared to be a major fire across the street from the big W today from what I saw on TV

I saw the fire too and assume it was put out before it was able to spread to the W Hotel. If it had spread to the hotel, (at least in a major way,) I think we would have seen further coverage, especially on FOX.

I cannot think of many hotels which CONSISTENTLY treats me as well as the New Orleans W Hotel. I'm not talking about "special" treatment such as upgrades but just the entire staff in general. From the doormen to the room service waiters, they are so incredibly courteous and full of enthusiasm. If this enthusiasm is "put on," and not genuine, then they're great actors!! I stay there a few times per year and it's always the same experience!

I don't have any personal friends in New Orleans. So when I think about the plight of the people who live there, the W Hotel employees are the people I particularly think about and pray that they're ALL O.K.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/

...which is a blog with live webcam from within NO, reports that the W now has power restored. This is the first report of any restored power within New Orleans I've been able to identify to date. Outstanding news if true.

W New Orleans called last night to cancel a reservation I had made (and not had a chance to cacel yet myself) for early October.

W New Orleans called last night to cancel a reservation I had made...

In the spirit of FlyerTalk...did you demand compensation for your inconvenience?

Tugging your leg

;)

I stayed at the New Orleans W-Hotel august 18-20 and am always impressed by the ever so courteous employees! The only problem are those "paper thin" walls between the rooms.

I’ve stayed at the W in New Orleans many times and consider this hotel one of Starwood’s finest !

A few years ago I became extremely ill with a sore throat during a visit and the staff took extremely good care of me, including the head chef whipping up homemade chicken noodle soup for me and the assistant manager checking on me and offering to drive me to Tulane Medical Center. During my other visits the staff have been friendly, funny and 100% professional going above and beyond.

My warmest wishes go out to the staff at both W’s in New Orleans and I promise to come back and enjoy both the incredible hospitality of the city and the W New Orleans. As a stockholder in Starwood Properties I ask that the corporation do what ever it can to assist W, Sheraton and Westin New Orleans staff during this tragedy – SW Lurker I hope you are reading this - pass along to SW Senior managment


XM

I've stayed at (and love) both, but return to the W Poydras. They (and the W Union Square) have the best W staff imo. Last November one of the bellman surprised me with a cake on my birthday. They help make a stay in one of my favorite cities even more memorable.

Louis Armstrong's lyrics already resonate:

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
And miss it each night and day
I know I'm not wrong... this feeling's gettin' stronger
The longer, I stay away
Miss them moss covered vines...the tall sugar pines
Where mockin' birds used to sing
And I'd like to see that lazy Mississippi...hurryin' into spring

The moonlight on the bayou.......a Creole tune.... that fills the air
I dream... about Magnolias in bloom......and I'm wishin' I was there

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart

CNN has a great story on Kevin Regan, VP of Starwood in New Orleans. Shows him taking charge ... already has power back to the hotels.

Apparently W FQ is currently serving as a police precinct. The W NO seems to have sustained a lot of damage.

http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=214978813

This guy should be in charge of FEMA.

nice piece .. very impressive. He deserves a raise!

Too bad about damage to W NO. I was there the Saturday before the storm and was due to leave on the day of the storm. Amtrak cancelled my train out... but I was able to scramble and get a Greyhound bus to Atlanta Saturday night. The W let me check out early without any problem and also said I could come back Saturday evening if I could not get out on the bus.

The front desk staff was overwhelmed andstill managed to do a good job.

Hands on = thumbs up! ^

Glad to see an exec who understands on an operational level what it takes to make the business work. Even better is that he's willing to take personal accountability in getting things going again.

I was a GM at a hotel in Thomasville, Georgia when hurricane Elena flattened the area back in 1985. By 5am the next morning, utility crews began arriving from all over the South. Immediately, power, telephone, and cable were restored to the hotel, the first place in Thomasville, even before the police department.

I asked the head guy why and he said, "heck boy, we're gonna be living here for next month. You think we're gonna do without!"

He was right about one thing, it took almost a month before they got around to my house and repaired the power.

Any info on the Sheraton NO. I have reservation for Dec. 10-12 and wonder if it will be open than.

Casey.

Any info on the Sheraton NO. I have reservation for Dec. 10-12 and wonder if it will be open than.

Casey.

Gotta love it. Why not call the hotel directly? They is probably just sittn 'rouind anserin calls like this one.

Any info on the Sheraton NO. I have reservation for Dec. 10-12 and wonder if it will be open than.

Casey.

I would call and ask, but wouldn't hold my breath. I live in an area affected by last year's hurricanes and many of our beach hotels STILL aren't open a year later. We did not sustain nearly the damage that NO took on, and this is still the case. I wouldn't be surprised if the city was still inhabitable by then.

Stevekoe

...At the W New Orleans Hotel downtown, guests are greeted by a guard wearing combat fatigues and toting an assault rifle.

The guests aren't the normal crowd of tourists and merry conventioneers, either. They're relief workers, police officers, soldiers and news reporters and, for now, they're about the only people who can claim one of the scarce rooms available.

This crowd isn't demanding.

"It's a bed. It's air-conditioned. It's better than having to drive 35 miles out of town and having to drive back in," says Sgt. Ric Swartz, 59, of Little Rock, a Salvation Army chaplain who managed to snag a room at the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street.

NEW ORLEANS LODGING
Many New Orleans hotels remain closed, although some are providing rooms for their employees, relief workers and journalists...

Guest service is scaled down. At the Sheraton, the electricity works, phones ring, toilets flush, guests can shower to their hearts' content and TVs show HBO. There's even Internet access...

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-09-19-new-orleans-hotels_x.htm

Don't mean to dampen the strong efforts of Starwood properties to recover in MSY, but my res. at the Sheraton New Orleans for early Feb. 2006, was cancelled today by the hotel. When the Plat. concierge checked into it, he learned that the hotel had mass-cancelled all itinerant reservations until April as the hotel was not planning to be available to outsiders (non-rescuers/press/etc.) until that time.

I was planning a surprise party for a friend in NO in very early January but most of my guests are worried about if it is appropriate and not a good idea.

I know that the French Quarter is relatively OK now and that most hotels are nowfully occupied by FEMA and hotel staff.

But what is it likely to be on January 5,6,7/06 ????

I would like to support NO in its re-establishment but I also want to have a successful party too with happy guests.

Assuming that you posted this here out of a desire to stay in a *Wood property, are any *Wood properties in New Orleans accepting reservations for January, 2006? If not, you have your answer.

Has any one stayed in New orleans since Katrina? I know Both W s are open and the Sheraton. We are looking at going end of march. I know they are all open, but wonder are they under constuction, only half the rooms are ready etc? I prefer the W on poydreus, next to Harrahs. Any advice is greatly appreaciated.

You could start by reading all the previous threads with literally tons of information.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=685588
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530745
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=568419
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520263
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416688
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475047
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430490
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470997
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=467213
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=590717