msvacation

I'm goingto weigh in on the JW as well. Nice hotel, good location.

The have a Schulas steak house there: go to the bar and order the steak bit appetizer. It's a great deal at ~ $15.

FlyinHawaiian

Probably best asked in the South (Travel) Forum; there are a number of existing threads there that I think you would find of use:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south-454/

There's also the DiningBuzz! Forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz-371/

pinniped

+1. I've walked in there a few times: it has the frenetic feel of a crowded bus terminal. I'm sure the rooms themselves are fine, and sometimes those massive places actually have more interesting upgrades to give out to Plats, but it's a little too chaotic for me.

My Pere Marquette stay was before the hurricane. My only complaint with it was that they shut down so many services on the weekend. The restaurant only had a few basic appetizers. My rate was $99/nt. and included some extras (tours, etc.), so no complaints on price. But when the JW is only a few bucks more, go with the JW.

Nolarchy

Contrary to the national news reports, walking throughout the Quarter, CBD (near the Convention Center), and Marigny (Downriver of the FQ) neighborhoods is largely fine, as is St. Charles Avenue. I live in the Irish Channel, and although there are some dodgy blocks, I always feel safe. As in any city, you need to be aware of your surroundings, but as long as you're not where you shouldn't be at 3 AM, you'll be fine.

There's really no reason to rent a car as NOLA is a pretty good walking city, and there are also streetcars and cabs aplenty. In terms of tours, I'm not sure where your interests lie, but some of my favorite tours include the requisite cemetery and garden district tour, but also the haunted history tours.

Not sure where to start food-wise, but PM me with some parameters and I'll try to help.

puddy

I've stayed at the PM Ren before for business and received a normal sized room (actually quite large). I had booked a regular rate. I enjoyed the hotel and actually preferred it to the JW which I thought was disappointing.

I am planning a personal trip to NOLA in April and noticed that the PM now advertises a Super Small Room rate for $79. Curious if anyone has stayed in the super small room and if anyone has booked that rate and been upgraded to a normal room as a plat.

Thanks for your help.

HoustonConsultant

This typically is my hotel of choice in NOLA, but I get upgraded rooms more often at the JW.

A colleague had the small room on one trip, and it was pretty much just a bed with a couple feet of space around it.

Not sure the chances of getting upgraded to a normal room as a plat, but unless they have a specific policy against it, I would assume I would get a bigger room if there was one available.

USirritated

I have stayed at the Pere Marquette several times, and from my experience, about half the rooms in the hotel are smaller than average size rooms in general, which I have had once, and one other time was initially assigned same and then complained about and was switched to a larger room.

All other times I've stayed at Pere Marquette, I was either assigned to average size rooms or upgraded to the more rare corner rooms which are junior suite sized. It totally depends on what the occupancy loads are on the nights you are booked, and it can be hit or miss, since that hotel has wild swings between 95-100% and 40-60% occupancy levels. Still, it is a great hotel, one of my faves.

puddy

Thanks for the replies. I really like the hotel too. I'll probably give it a try... hard to beat $80/nt. Even if I don't get a bigger room, we won't be spending much time in it.

hhoope01

I'll be heading to NO for a conference the first week of June and noticed the "small" room for $79 rate as well. I went ahead and grabbed one as I will be on my own dime as well. I figure if I'm not upgraded, then I have a place to sleep. If I'm upgraded, then I have a place to sleep. I'm by myself, so the extra room isn't essential for this trip. So it probably doesn't really matter that much either way (except for my ego of course. )

CJKatl

This is one of my favorite hotels, too. I've been in the small room, the larger room and the corner room. The corner room is one of my favorite rooms anywhere. The bathroom is nice, and I like how it is slightly removed from the room.

With that said, it's NO. No matter what room you're in, how much time are you spending there other than to shut your eyes. Now that I know about the small room rate, it will be my new go-to NO reservation. Thanks for sharing this info!

USirritated

I don't remember the "super small room rate" being offered at all times, just at select times of low to mid occupancy, or am I wrong about that?

zacktravel

You may have noticed that the rate also includes Breakfast for two, which is great for weekends as I am not sure that they comp breakfast for Platinums and the Lounge is closed.

puddy

Right, I forgot about that. It really is a great deal. And even on when the lounge is open, the included breakfast should be a bit better.

zacktravel

I would hope so. Never have had breakfast at MILA. I do like the breakfast at the JW. Much better than the FS Marriott across the street.

annerj

I wish all hotels had a "super small room" option! All I need is a bed and a shower....120sqft should do (isn't that about the size of a small cruise cabin?).