Okay, here's some specifics on areas.

There's a bunch of hotels, many from the big chains, in the area of Canal Street (addresses below 800) and Poydras. These will be convenient to the Aquarium, the Riverboat cruise docks, the Riverwalk, and Harrahs casino, the Streetcar lines. Canal is the border of the French Quarter, so you're near that too. This area has no charm, however.

For French Quarter charm, look for something on Royal Street, ideally numbered around 300-900. Still walkable to the above-mentioned attractions, especially since you're not going in the summer.

For more relaxed, southern, New Orleans charm, then you want the garden district. If you stay there, expect to take taxis or drive to most attractions (though there is the nice but slow streetcar down St Charles).