bcard74

I understand that. My sentence was poorly constructed - I was trying to convey the fact that if you have status they seemed very happy to provide the courtyard rooms for you.

NJUPINTHEAIR

Any recent stays at the Renaissance Arts?

Thanks,

NJ

RMPearl

Coming back from a cruise on May 3rd and will be staying in NOLA for the night. I currently have a reservation for that night at both of these hotels. One on pts and the other a GOV rate. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of these hotels? Which would you recommend?

Thanks for the help.

BKKLEE

found w/i existing thread -
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...d-threads.html

rhyxcom

Any recommendations regarding the New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center? I'm staying there for about a week in early June.

SaintsFan

Anyone have an e-mail address for the Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette?

Thanks.

PHLisa

Just stayed at the Ren Arts. Lovely hotel, and great front desk staff. I am Marriott dirt, but we got a nice upgrade to a corner room with a sofa and chairs (some sort of jr suite, I suppose). However, the room had just been remodeled and they had forgotten to put light bulbs in the floor lamp and had installed the bathroom door hook upside down (!). We mentioned this to the front desk on our way out for the evening and both were fixed by the time we returned.

My biggest complaint would be that the smoking area is on the roof right next to the pool area, so if you're swimming you may have to endure a stinky cigar like we did.

We did eat in the restaurant for lunch one day - good food, but way overpriced and we got the feeling the staff were trying to rush us out.

It's reasonable walking distance to the Quarter or the casino/Riverwalk area. Very positive experience overall and would stay here again.

SkiAdcock

Thanks for the update!

Cheers.

ussie44

I have tried to book a 5 night (Wed to Mon) reward stay in New Orleans in mid-October. Three nights are available but it appears that every FS property (and every other property downtown) is full on the weekend. A call to MR only elicited the suggestion that I use a Plat override and pay for the weekend. Obviously, that defeats the purpose of the 5th night free.

This is a special occasion trip so a Fairfield or a Springhill 10 miles out of town just won't cut it. But we have 2 weeks and had planned to spend some time touring the area after NOLA. If we really can't find a room in central NOLA, does it make sense to rent a car and go elsewhere first?

I'd appreciate some help from someone who knows LA. If not New Orleans for a really special birthday, where else in the Marriott family would be nice and offer enough in the area to keep us busy for a 5 night reward stay?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks.

RogerD408

I have found NOLA hotels to be ruthless with MLOS (min and max) requirements. What you might try is look at individual nights and groups of nights for your desired dates. Even on paid stays, I have often found rate reductions booking 3- & 2-night reservations back-to-back to save money. It's a pain, but if you really want to stay in the area, then you do what you have to do.

I'm presuming you are including the properties near the convention center in your search. If not, they aren't really that far from the Quarter. A hike, but walkable. Good luck with your search.

BKKLEE

just looked at Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette Hotel (didn't look at other NOLA props as this prop had 3 out of 4 weeks available) available for points over 2-7, 9-14 and 23-28 Oct WITHOUT any problem............

try looking at Marriot.com w dates not set and using points and you'll find others all by yourself.................

ussie44

Thanks, Roger - there literally is NO availability closer than 10 miles out.

And, alas, BKKLEE, the one weekend we need (October 18 - 19) is the one that's not available... thank you for trying.

BKKLEE

there is cash rate availability in NO over the 17-20 Oct but the rates are 3-5 Xs normal so there must be something going on in NO over this weekend causing the no MR point use ability.........

swag

There's a huge (even by NOLA standards) convention in town, "Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition", 20K+ attendees.

I'm looking for a room to come in for the Blues Fest (also that weekend), but may end up staying with friends instead.

BKKLEE

based upon the following, if I were ussie44 and still wanted to use points for the 5 nights I'd opt for an alternative week.........