New Orleans: Which Starwood? 2006 on [Master Thread]
Aug 11, 2008, 5:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA,USA
Programs: AA Plat, DL Gold, UAL Premier, SPG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 566
My clear choice (for you) would be the W French Quarter on Chartres over the W on Poydras. It's an intimately scaled hotel, and even has windows that open! Plus it's right in the FQ. Given that I'm usually stumbling out of Harrah's at some ungodly hour, I typically stay at the W Poydras. I stayed at the Sheraton once and it struck me as a big smelly convention hotel
Aug 12, 2008, 4:38 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
I agree 100%, having stayed at both hotels. The W New Orleans French Quarter (Chartres) is far more luxurious and charming and has a better location than the ugly impersonal high-rise W New Orleans (Poydras) in the CBD. The disadvantage if you don't use points is you will probably pay more for the W French Quarter.
Aug 12, 2008, 5:47 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
The only problem woth the W FQ is that it is on a rather dark and noisy stretch of Chartres=right accross from the House of Blues and do you really care about windows that open unto the French Quarter in September(Still hot and very Humid,add the noise and interesting smells that imminate from the street 
If you are a party girl than maybe this will not bother you.
But folks who have stayed there seem to like it for the most part-but some recent posters have not had good experiences nor great success with upgrades.
The Sheraton has undergone a very thorough renovation within the past year.
Call the plat. concierge and ask about points to book a suite at both properties.I just don;t think you should leave this to chance if you really need/want a suite.
Since it is still low season you might check cash prices at both of these properties also-if cheap enough it might be a point earning rather than point burning opportunity
ps-notice NO ONE is recomending the Westin-kind of sad since it is a new property-another example of Columbia Su(cks)ssex ruining a great property with their cheapness.
If you are a party girl than maybe this will not bother you.
But folks who have stayed there seem to like it for the most part-but some recent posters have not had good experiences nor great success with upgrades.
The Sheraton has undergone a very thorough renovation within the past year.
Call the plat. concierge and ask about points to book a suite at both properties.I just don;t think you should leave this to chance if you really need/want a suite.
Since it is still low season you might check cash prices at both of these properties also-if cheap enough it might be a point earning rather than point burning opportunity
ps-notice NO ONE is recomending the Westin-kind of sad since it is a new property-another example of Columbia Su(cks)ssex ruining a great property with their cheapness.
Aug 12, 2008, 6:07 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Book A Suite In Advance
The W French Quarter is too noisy for my taste. The OP says she wants space for planning, etc. There are three properties very close to her main location. I think the OP should book a suite or book a room then use points to upgrade in advance instead of taking the chance on an upgrade.
If rxn20, do one of those two things, then I don't want to hear any lip after the fact, that the property chosen, was stingy about the upgrade, etc.
New Orleans Starwood properties
Apr 23, 2009, 6:48 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I've done several stays in NOLA and have visited all the properties in/near the French Quarter. They all have good and bad points:
Sheraton on Canal - more your typical Starwood property, good location easy access to the FQ, but far enough away to not be bothered by it. The only one in the area with a club room that I know of.
W on Chartres - old FQ building with renovations, good choice if you want to be IN the FQ, usually not worth the rate uplift.
W on Poydras - away from the FQ but still walkable. New building but noisey rooms. Right across the street from Mother's (which I wish they'd use for their room service!). But more of your typical big city W. Furnishings still show effects of Katrina.
Westin - on the edge of the FQ, sturdy olderish building but nice rooms. Very service oriented. Was there just before Gustauf and very proactive trying to get guests out of town in time. The rooftop pool as a good view of the area.
My personal preference starts with the Sheraton, Westin, and then the W on Poydras. Never stayed at W on Chartres, but have visited friends staying there many times.
BTW, there is no W on Bourbon...
Sheraton on Canal - more your typical Starwood property, good location easy access to the FQ, but far enough away to not be bothered by it. The only one in the area with a club room that I know of.
W on Chartres - old FQ building with renovations, good choice if you want to be IN the FQ, usually not worth the rate uplift.
W on Poydras - away from the FQ but still walkable. New building but noisey rooms. Right across the street from Mother's (which I wish they'd use for their room service!). But more of your typical big city W. Furnishings still show effects of Katrina.
Westin - on the edge of the FQ, sturdy olderish building but nice rooms. Very service oriented. Was there just before Gustauf and very proactive trying to get guests out of town in time. The rooftop pool as a good view of the area.
My personal preference starts with the Sheraton, Westin, and then the W on Poydras. Never stayed at W on Chartres, but have visited friends staying there many times.
BTW, there is no W on Bourbon...
Apr 23, 2009, 8:54 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: N/A
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 61
W Chartres is fine (not great), especially if you are using points. The bathrooms are weird (sliding door that doesn't close all the way), so maybe not the best if you are with a friend. Rooms overlooking the courtyard can be loud when their music is blasting, but its a small property, and the bed are comfortable. W Poydras is further from the quarter, and more of a typical W. Sheraton is typical. Haven't stayed at the Westin but I've heard good things. Overall though, I think the *wood properties are overpriced in New Orleans, compared to Marriott properties. There's many better hotels in New Orleans than *wood (Ritz, Loews, Omni, Windsor Court), which are about the same pricepoint or cheaper than the Ws.
Apr 24, 2009, 12:02 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: FLL
Posts: 103
Nice Rates in New Orleans
I'm heading there in June (will be staying at all 4 properties) and found some pretty good rates -- the highest (W French Quarter's on pts) was $105 w/ a BRG. Look for the W on Poydras' travelzoo promotion which is at $89.
I'm looking forward to visiting but can anyone tell me if City Park (Ralph's on the Park) is worth leaving downtown?
-OilersFL
I'm looking forward to visiting but can anyone tell me if City Park (Ralph's on the Park) is worth leaving downtown?
-OilersFL
Apr 24, 2009, 1:20 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
New Orleans
Just returned from NO. We stayed at Starwoods Sheraton on Canal St. Nice hotel except for couple of items. These are very noisy rooms even though we were on one of the higher club level floors. Everytime a door shut to one of the rooms on our floor, it slammed shut. Rather rough for sleeping on a Saturday night. Also, we had a room with a floor to ceiling window. It could have been a nice view, except the window was filthy.
Apr 24, 2009, 1:37 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Big D
Programs: AA, CO, DL, WN, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,842
Apr 24, 2009, 8:56 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Red Sox Nation
Posts: 228
I've done several stays in NOLA and have visited all the properties in/near the French Quarter. They all have good and bad points:
Sheraton on Canal - more your typical Starwood property, good location easy access to the FQ, but far enough away to not be bothered by it. The only one in the area with a club room that I know of.
W on Chartres - old FQ building with renovations, good choice if you want to be IN the FQ, usually not worth the rate uplift.
W on Poydras - away from the FQ but still walkable. New building but noisey rooms. Right across the street from Mother's (which I wish they'd use for their room service!). But more of your typical big city W. Furnishings still show effects of Katrina.
Westin - on the edge of the FQ, sturdy olderish building but nice rooms. Very service oriented. Was there just before Gustauf and very proactive trying to get guests out of town in time. The rooftop pool as a good view of the area.
My personal preference starts with the Sheraton, Westin, and then the W on Poydras. Never stayed at W on Chartres, but have visited friends staying there many times.
BTW, there is no W on Bourbon...
Sheraton on Canal - more your typical Starwood property, good location easy access to the FQ, but far enough away to not be bothered by it. The only one in the area with a club room that I know of.
W on Chartres - old FQ building with renovations, good choice if you want to be IN the FQ, usually not worth the rate uplift.
W on Poydras - away from the FQ but still walkable. New building but noisey rooms. Right across the street from Mother's (which I wish they'd use for their room service!). But more of your typical big city W. Furnishings still show effects of Katrina.
Westin - on the edge of the FQ, sturdy olderish building but nice rooms. Very service oriented. Was there just before Gustauf and very proactive trying to get guests out of town in time. The rooftop pool as a good view of the area.
My personal preference starts with the Sheraton, Westin, and then the W on Poydras. Never stayed at W on Chartres, but have visited friends staying there many times.
BTW, there is no W on Bourbon...