aaupgrade

Yes, I agree whole heartedly. However... after posting and re-reading mine and subsequent posts yesterday evening and again today it occurs to me that what may be deduced from these posts may be a bit misleading. From the news story that I heard, it appeared that the buses, armed guards, and helicopter escort was governement (FEMA) personal, and not privately contracted. So the credit does go to Marriott for staying on top of the situation and procurring rescue resources from the government, but the appearances after the fact of re-reading the posts above, made appear as though Marriott had planned, carried out, and financed the rescue, and I think that may be a bit misleading.

ENSANERIDE

Where did you hear this date of 1/06? The furthest out I have read on the Marriott site is 10/05. Anyone else heard any more news?

aaupgrade

Well, FWIW I just went out to Marriott.com and tried to book 1 night prior to January 3, 2006 and there was nothing available at any Marriott properties in New Orleans. I tried a 1-night reservation for the nights of Dec 19, Dec 20, Jan 1, and Jan. 2. BTW, I was signed in so at least I should get the Platinum 48 hour room guarantee. Oh, I suppose they are going ot call this a special event. I want my guaranteed room!!! Ironically, I suppose food, potable water, and a dry place to sleep, not to mention a home or their lives might just be a bit more important to many people than a Platinum 48 hour room guarantee. Go figure.

There are however plenty of rooms available for booking the night of January 3, 2006 and thereafter.

I would say, that is pretty definitive information from Marriott's web site as to availability of rooms in New Orleans at this point in time. If things change I am sure rooms will be made available earlier, or later as circumstances allow. FWIW, GCM Marriott is just now getting back on its feet after last year's hurricane.

JIMCHI

Does anyone know how the Pere Marquette in New Orleans weathered the hurricane? The "Hurricane Update" link on the Marriott website has been disabled. We have reservations at this hotel for next May. When I try to check availability on the website, no Marriott hotels are available in MSY in early May.

I know the Hyatt will be closed until 2007. Hope this is not the case with the Pere Marquette.

BobH

I think a phone call to the Marriott res. center is in order ----

Bob H.

JIMCHI

Called. All they can say is that it - and all MSY properties-- are closed until further notice.

ENSANERIDE

Some news is better than none at all. I guess the JW is in better shape than some of the others. This was posted yesterday on the Marriott news site:

Marriott News
MARRIOTT UPDATE ON HURRICANES RITA AND KATRINA
CONTACT:
Marriott Communications
(301) 380-7770
Washington , DC - 23 September 2005 -

Marriott International, Inc. continues to work closely with authorities throughout the areas in the path of Hurricane Rita, as well as those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. As always, our first priority is the safety and comfort of our guests and associates.

Hurricane Katrina Update

A Marriott task force continues to work toward reopening our hotels in the impacted area as soon as possible. The Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans/Covington-Mandeville remains open but is sold out to accommodate relief and reconstruction-related personnel. With the approach of Hurricane Rita, some hotels in New Orleans that had reopened to accommodate relief and reconstruction-related efforts have been evacuated except for essential personnel. Those hotels are:

JW Marriott Hotel Located on Canal Street
Courtyard New Orleans Downtown Near the French Quarter
Courtyard New Orleans-Metairie
Residence Inn New Orleans-Metairie
TownePlace Suites New Orleans/Metairie

In addition to the hotels listed above, the following hotels remain temporarily closed and are not accepting reservations:

Courtyard New Orleans-Convention Center
Fairfield Inn Kenner-New Orleans Airport
Marriott New Orleans
Marriott New Orleans at the Convention Center
Renaissance Arts Hotel
Renaissance Pere Marquette
Residence Inn New Orleans-Downtown
SpringHill Suites New Orleans/Convention Center
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
The Ritz-Carlton, Maison Orleans
Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa (Point Clear, Ala.)

Please note: Due to the extraordinary circumstances, hotels in the Gulf Coast and nearby regions continue to provide shelter for evacuees and relief personnel. As a result, most of these hotels are sold out, and it may be difficult to accommodate new arrivals. Marriott is contacting guests whose reservations may be impacted by the shortage of rooms. Guests may also call Marriott directly at (800) 559-9352 to determine hotel availability.

As for conventions that would have taken place in New Orleans over the next few months, we have successfully relocated meetings to other Marriott destinations and are continuing to work with affected groups.

Updates will be provided on www.marriottnewsroom.com as information becomes available.

dinger

For those of you who are interested, 12 of the properties in the New Orleans metropolitan area are now accepting reservations for arrival dates starting November 1.

Complete details at: http://marriott.com/news/detail.mi?marrArticle=105631

JIMCHI

Has anyone stayed at this MSY hotel since it has reopened after Katrina? Has the restaurant reopened also?

nub2travel

My thoughts exactly. My husband has trip planned to stay at this property next weekend. I will call to inquire althought I do not think the restaurant is a deal breaker for him.

nub2travel

Sorry the information I was given suggests that the restaurant will be closed until Feb at least.

pinniped

Don't worry: you aren't missing much. We were there in July and thought the restaurant was awful. Buffets only on the weekends, and really not much on the buffet to begin with. The only reason we were there is because the manager let us nibble off it for free because the lounge was closed during a time when it was posted that it would be open. (Sunday night.) For free, it was barely worth it.

I think this restaurant won awards long ago for being a good hotel restaurant. Maybe it still is during the week although I find it hard to believe. It definitely is NOT award-winning on the weekend, so you are not missing a thing.

I don't know who is open now post-Katrina, but maybe the Fairmont next door or the JW down the street will have decent nearby hotelfood for a quick nosh...

JIMCHI

nub2travel- Could your husband post a review when he returns? Interested if there is still construction work going on? Is the lobby completely repaired? Is there adequate staff?

We have stayed here several times before Katrina and it was an excellent hotel. The restaurant had an outstanding breakfast.

Thanks

dinger

FWIW, I have a stay booked for 1/12 - 1/16 at the PM. I got a phone call the other day from Marriott reservations informing me that the PM is back up and fully operational.

dinger

I thought I'd bump this up to warn anyone with existing reservations at the PM that they may not honor your reservation rate.

As I noted in the previous post, I have a stay scheduled there next week. It was booked on the aquarium package rate ($199 for two nights, included breakfast and aquarium tix). I've used this package before and it was a great deal.

Of course, they can't offer the entire package currently with the aquarium closed. My rate still showed $199 for two nights online. I called the property today and they said no go, you're rate is now $169/nt. I hung up and went back online and now the rate is suddenly listed as $169/nt!!! Fine, I canceled and booked at the JW for $139/nt.

I'll visit the PM while I'm there and post info on both the PM & JW when I return.