ntamayo

Stayed at the CY on Julia Street last September. Fairly central location, within walking distance to French Quarter, Convention Center, Riverwalk, Harrah's casino, and streetcar stops. Gated parking lot.

As a GLD, we were upgraded to a typical CY suite, with microwave, minifridge, nothing special. Staff was friendly; breakfast OK.

[This message has been edited by ntamayo (edited 02-26-2003).]

bonzaiflyer

I just stayed at the CY at on St Charles, and it was fine. Outside it doesn't look like a CY, but the rooms are typical CY.

No high speed internet there yet, and alot of the rooms don't have exterior windows, but windows into the atrium or interior hallway.

Great location, walking distance to the quarter and alot of other places.

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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.

snorkmaster

I don't think this has been posted...

I was browsing through the Marriott website, and it looks like the "Renaissance Arts Hotel" will open in July.

(I didn't even know a new property was on the way.)

NJUPINTHEAIR

JW Marriott Hotel Opens in New Orleans

JW Marriott Hotel Opens in New Orleans Marriott International, Inc. announced today that the New Orleans Grande Hotel, formerly the Le Meridien, has been converted to the JW Marriott Hotel New Orleans.

The 494- room hotel is the first JW Marriott in Louisiana, the second in the Southeastern United States, and the 28th in a collection of exclusive JW Marriott hotels and resorts worldwide. Located at 614 Canal Street, the property is owned by CNL Hospitality Properties, Inc. and managed by Marriott International.

"We're delighted to bring the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand to the New Orleans area. This hotel offers guests all the excitement of this great city, and we look forward to delivering the distinctive environments, high levels of personal service, and unique and imaginative dining experiences that are hallmarks of the JW Marriott brand," said Michael Giamundo, general manager, JW Marriott Hotel New Orleans.

The 30-story hotel features marble accents with dramatic ceiling treatments and lighting. The interior is decorated in light yet bright colors combining French revival touches with "New Orleans flair." Guest rooms are elegantly appointed and overlook the riverside or the French Quarter district. In-room amenities include three dual-line telephones with data ports and voice mail, cable television with pay-per-view movies, coffee and tea service, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and in-room mini-bar.

Ideally situated along Canal Street, across from the entrance to the famed French Quarter, the JW Marriott New Orleans is adjacent to the city's business district and just eight blocks from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The property is within 15 miles of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and provides convenient access to many nearby attractions, including Bourbon Street, Aquarium of the Americas, Louisiana Superdome, Six Flags New Orleans, Port of New Orleans, and Tulane and Loyola universities.

Ideal for both business and social occasions, the JW Marriott Hotel New Orleans offers over 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 6,160-square-foot Grand ballroom overlooking Canal Street and 15 individual meeting rooms on two levels. Each meeting room evokes the French revival period, with tailored ceilings, wall treatments and lighting fixtures.

For dining and entertainment, the JW Marriott Hotel New Orleans is home to the critically acclaimed MIDI restaurant, featuring authentic French country cuisine, with regional selections for breakfast lunch and dinner. Guests can also enjoy cocktails, appetizers and seasonal live jazz in the hotel's lobby bar and lounge, Le Jazz. Recreational amenities include a health club with heated outdoor rooftop swimming pool, and guests can take advantage of golf, tennis and horseback riding nearby. A business center, 24-hour room service, laundry/valet service and gift shop are also available.

The most elegant and luxurious hotels carrying the Marriott name, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts cater to discerning travelers. The first JW Marriott hotel opened in 1984 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., as a tribute to the founder of Marriott Corporation, predecessor to Marriott International. Other JW Marriott hotels in the United States can be found in exciting destinations like New York; Santa Monica; Phoenix; Miami; Ko Olina, Hawaii; Las Vegas; Palm Desert, Calif.; Houston and Atlanta. Worldwide, JW Marriott hotels are found in major cities and resort locations, such as Hong Kong, Mexico City, Cancun, Seoul, Bangkok, Phuket, Mumbai, Dubai and Cairo. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts opening this year include the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai and the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort, Orlando, Fla. For more information or reservations, contact the JW Marriott Hotel New Orleans at (504) 525-6500, call the Marriott Worldwide Reservations Center at (800) 228-9290, or visit the Marriott web site at http://www.marriott.com/. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts participate in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards(R) frequent guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at more than 2,300 Marriott hotels worldwide.

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See:
http://www.marriott.com/dpp/Property...rshaCode=MSYJW


[This message has been edited by NJUPINTHEAIR (edited 06-18-2003).]

SeAAttle

Will be attending a conference in New Orleans November. These two hotels appear to be almost directly across the street from each other. Any reasons for choosing one over the other would be appreciated.

Conference info implies a charge for high-speed internet connection at the JW but not at the NO Marriott - I suspect this is not correct. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks

socrates

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

SkiAdcock

I'm staying at the JW in a few weeks; will post then. I've stayed at the NO a number of times. It's ok; typical biz hotel. Since the Ritz was unhappy that Marriott turned LeMerid into a JW I'm taking a guess that it's nicer than the NO.

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Sharon

SeAAttle

I have stayed at the NO Marriott several times and was happy with it. Location is good and close enough to the convention center to walk.

I am under the impression that JW Marriotts in general are supposed to be a notch up from a "regular" Marriott. Is that correct?

DADISGARYK

i have to agree with ski...it's your basic downtown hotel. The only property that consistently transcends the basic downtown hotel syndrome is the Renaissance Chicago. They have extremely nice rooms, public areas, the conceierge lounge food is excellent (it seems to include the leftovers from the lunch buffet), the staff is excellent and friendly...but as I say, you generally don't get that type of service at downtown urban hotels.

Also agree with AA...the old expression "methinks thou protest too much" or something like that...the NO Marriott has reason to be afraid of competition...and no, we didn't stay there during Mardi Gras

I think what we are all looking for is something out of the ordinary, and it doesn't need to be expensive. Recognition of status is nice, an upgrade is nice, a basket of fruits or nuts or pretzels is nice...hey, on United, the captains send back business cards with "thanks for the business..."

The little touches are what we are looking for...

socrates

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

pinniped

I did a stay at the N.O. Marriott on Mardi Gras Marathon weekend in February. Because of the special weekend, the rates for this hotel were very high ($259), but they did honor my 2-for-1 coupon that came with the winter elite package. So for $130/night, we were very pleased. Got an upgrade to concierge level without asking. Nice hotel...close to everything.

zakami

I personally like the Renaissance Pere Marquette. If you have status, I would ask for a corner room which are larger (I beleive ending in 11 and 12). The lounge and the restuarant are excellent in my opinion. But the best part is that its not right Bourbon/Canal street, so is a little quieter and is only about a 5-min walk from Bourbon St. Its a much smaller hotel than the Marriott and as far as I have noticed it does not draw the early 20s rowdy crowd (of course you may want this) that the Marriott does so you can actually get some sleep. The property isn't the most attractive on the outside, but one should not have any complaints once inside. Its usually cheaper than the JW and Marriott as well since its a little bit away (not by much though) from the French Quarter. However, something to keep in mind is that they have no suites.

[This message has been edited by zakami (edited 07-03-2003).]

jkc22

Has anyone stayed/seen the new Renaissance Arts? I am going to MSY for a weekend in Aug. and want to know whether that property is as stylish as Marriott describes it on its website. The Pere Marquette seems quite stylish.

I haven't been able to book the JW on the hotel website. Anyone has success booking the JW?

lax 100K

Planning to be in New Orleans later this month.
Which hotel is better, Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel or JW Marriott New Orleans ?

Planning to stay around French Quarters for most of the trip.

Also, should I rent the car or take taxi from/to airport ?

Thanks.

craigstar

Heya

For the best location to the French Quarter by Marriott - the Courtyard is the best. It's in the middle of everything and you can stumble home from the FQ.

I'm there at the end of the month too - 30th until Labour Day. The Courtyard also has an amazing price on for that weeken dif you book enough in advance: $71 for the AAA rate which is a jr 1 king suite.

Craig in Toronto