Just got back from NO last week, did one night at the CY near Bourbon. Hotel is the modern courtyard with the interactive touch screen when you walk in, small cafe with the normal CY offerings, same menu as other ones I have been in. The hotel IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION THOUGH! This was a unpleasant surprise for us since we have been remodeling for too long and she just wanted to get away from the noise, but at 8am there was construction noise. Still nothing bad about the hotel, we were put in a makeshift room RIGHT next to checkout, but it was 1 night only and we were there for 10 hrs total.
We went to the Ritz the next 2 nights and loved it! Rooms are great, beds incredible and hotel overall is elegant. The Spa is wonderful! Was not complimentary for platinum though. Hotel was busy, but the courtyard is relaxing and the rooms are quiet. Complimentary shoe shine after walking around in New Orleans is essential too IMO! We did not eat at the hotel, but you are in New Orleans so go get some beignets, po boys, muffulettas and all the other amazing food!
Stayed at the JW in June. Nice hotel, nothing too special, Shula's amazing, waking up too A+ steak room service after partying all night is pretty much unbeatable. The beds were comfortable with better amenities and sheets then the CY, but honestly not much difference in hotel location wise and special offerings, did have outside pool with 1.5 hrs of sunlight a day.
All hotels are the same area between these 3, never noticed a difference in walking around. The Ritz is the best but after that, from what I have seen and heard, go with the best deal downtown on the weekend!