I'm getting very confused trying to decide on a hotel in New Orleans. I want the best in the best location. Can you help?

Can you describe what you are looking for, location-wise?

And can you describe what time of year you're planning to travel, how long you're planning to stay, and if you truly have an unlimited budget?

It would be a shame to suggest someplace at $1500 a night if you can't take advantage of it.

I really can't say location wise because I've never been there before -- that's one of the things I would like advice on. My husband and I are going in October for a long weekend and budget is not a problem -- although don't tell him I said so!

Thanks for your help!

Veronica,

If you want to do it right, stay at a B&B in either the French Quarter or Garden District. A few years ago I used to travel there on business every other week (almost 4 years of Nawlin's every other week!). I stayed at B&B's arranged by Maggie at http://www.nolabandb.com/ If available, her place just off St Charles is the best - great hosts, outstanding breakfasts, great hosts, etc ... She also books a few other properties there in town, too. Masion Pierrer is cool if you want to stay in a converted brother that includes Abita Amber on endless tap.

For meals away from the tourist traps, check out Jaquimo's (sp?) on Oak St, Cooter Brown's on river road (one of the largest tap selections in town), or Fisherman's Warf out by the airport. On the west bank, Moe's is truly hard to beat for a hole-in-the-wall lunch gorge.

Enjoy NOLA!

GMF

I would agree with gmf about the B&Bs. Having lived in NOLA for a number of years, I would also recommend you consider staying at one of the several plantations at least one night. Ormond Plantation has rooms for about $125 night that incl. wine & cheese in the room and breakfast. Oak Alley Plantation also rents out rooms. Both have their own websites. You'll definitely want to rent a car as there is much more to NOLA and S. Louisiana than just the French Quarter. Check out the entertainment section of the Times Picayune Newspaper at http://www.nolalive.com/ for leads on festivals and live music for the dates your in town.

Hope you have a great time.

I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on Canal St. at the edge of the French Quarter. Rebuilt from the old Maison Blanche dept. store, I enjoyed sitting in the courtyard at lobby level, as well as afternoon tea in the dining room. It's within walking distance to most everything you'd want to see in the downtown/riverfront area.

If you're not a B & B person> We've stayed at the Omni Royal Orleans a number of times because you can't beat the location. You won't want to stay on or just off Bourbon St. and the Royal Orleans is 2 blocks from it and it's also right across the street from Emeril's NOLA, an excellent restaurant. Also next to Napoleon House, a bar/restaurant that's straight out of a Tennessee Williams novel.
I'd also recommend staying at a plantation. See: http://www.southernliving.com/travel/plantations.asp
We stayed at Nottoway: "Because it is thought to be the largest plantation house in the south, Nottoway is nicknamed The White Castle. As you pull into the long drive, the expanse dwarfs the river levee.

Built by Mr. and Mrs. John Hampton Randolph (their portrait overlooks the entry) in 1859, the house has 64 rooms, 200 windows, and 165 doors. They needed the space for their 11 children."

I can tell you where not to stay: The Monteleone.

While it is in a good location, my stay there was the worst experience I've ever had at a hotel. From the lousy attitude of the staff (from the managers, front desk and down to housekeeping), to the dirty and unremarkable rooms, it was just an awful experience.

d

The best location is really a subjective term. What do you plan on doing during your trip? will you have a car? are you into a young hip hotel? (if yes, check out the W on Poydras, there are tons of reviews on this hotel in the Starwood Forum in FT Miles). Or are you looking for a classic old hotel away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street? (If yes you should check out the Garden District and Uptown.)

I live in New Orleans and probably have an opinion on most hotels in the city. My parents (in their 50's) love to stay at the Fairmont when they want a weekend getaway. It has classic charm and is usually a short cab ride to where ever you want to go.

Having a car is also big determination in where you want to stay. NOLA does not have any reliable public transportaion. The buses are old and dirty and the street cars are usually more for entertainment rather than an aid in getting around town.

More info please

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Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
The Princess' Pictures

I stayed at the R-C last year and hated it--service was Marriott-level, if that, and the room was small. I have heard the Maison Blanche in the same building is also run by R-C and is much better, but I haven't stayed there. I think the Windsor Court is probably the best hotel in NO. It's convenient to the Quarter, but sufficiently distant that you can escape the hordes in the street. Nice rooms, great service, and a wonderful restaurant.

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).

T-shirt shops, grey market electronics stores and fast food are not charming? The name Canal Street is kind of interesting in that there's never been a canal anywhere near Canal Street. Oh yea, there was a lot of construction going on in the bus lane or common area of Canal during JazzFest, so it's probably quite a mess up and down Canal right now.

Hotels that I can recommend would be the Le Meriden on Canal and the Intercontinental, The Le Pavilon and the Whitney, all off Canal in the Poydras area of the CBD (not a bad walk to the Quarter and much quieter at night). The new Masion Orleans on Iberville (old Masion Blanche Dept. store) looks very nice although I've never stayed there. I never stay in the Quarter so can't recommend any specific hotels there but I know there are some very nice boutique hotels off Bourbon that have good reputations.

Good luck and have a safe trip.

edited to add: Summer is the slow season in NOLA, so if you are going to be there during the summer, you should be able to get deeply discounted rates at the best hotels.

[This message has been edited by Soonerman (edited 06-06-2002).]