New Orleans - hotel suggestions

[KnightofNi]

A friend is travelling down there and wants to stay in or very near the french quarter. In looking at hotels i have discovered that they are really make the beast with two backsing expensive there. About on par with times square in NYC.

does anyone have any FHE with this area and could make suggestions?

[fastwin]

My wife is a NOLA girl and we stayed at a place just walking distance from the quarter back in '06 when we made a surprise visit on her crazy uncle's 70th b-day. It was very nice, reasonably priced (or I wouldn't have stayed there!), safe and like I said rock throwing distance from the quarter. I have no idea of the name but will try to do a CSI number on it and chime back in. It was near a famous local restaurant we ate at. Maybe finding out the name of the eatery will help me... maybe the wifely unit remembers.

...OK, she remembers the restaurant but not the name. There is the river, the quarter and Canal is a big boulevard that runs parallel to all of that and the hotel (and the eatery) was just on the non-quarter side of Canal. We'll keep working on it.

[bevel]

The wife and I stayed at Hotel Monteleone on Royal St. I would not recommend staying there. Our room was tiny, our entire view consisted of the other tower of the hotel, no amenities, and everyone except the bar staff was rude. Next time I'm in NOLA, I'm still hitting up the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone - they make an awesome sazerac and the novelty of a revolving bar will never grow old.

If I were going again, I'd either be looking for something south/west of Canal St. You'll find more main-stream hotels, and still be close enough to the action of the French Quarter. Another option is to hit up hotwire and score a 3 or 4 star hotel for super cheap - but without knowing which hotel you'll be at until you commit.

The entire area is basically flat, so its super easy to walk from one side of the Quarter to another and back, and staying "in" the Quarter isn't really worth it.

If money were no object, I'd be looking at one of the numerous B&Bs inside the Quarter.

Also, I can't say enough about hitting up The Green Goddess for dinner one night. Its a tiny place off an alleyway, but serving an amazing selection of innovative dishes (and you can end your meal with a Bacon Praline Sundae!)

[KnightofNi]

My wife is a NOLA girl and we stayed at a place just walking distance from the quarter back in '06 when we made a surprise visit on her crazy uncle's 70th b-day. It was very nice, reasonably priced (or I wouldn't have stayed there!), safe and like I said rock throwing distance from the quarter. I have no idea of the name but will try to do a CSI number on it and chime back in. It was near a famous local restaurant we ate at. Maybe finding out the name of the eatery will help me... maybe the wifely unit remembers.

...OK, she remembers the restaurant but not the name. There is the river, the quarter and Canal is a big boulevard that runs parallel to all of that and the hotel (and the eatery) was just on the non-quarter side of Canal. We'll keep working on it.

wow, that doens't help narrow it down at all.

let me know if any other info comes up. safe areas are key. i trust that she can handle herself, but she is more timid on her own.

[KnightofNi]

The wife and I stayed at Hotel Monteleone on Royal St. I would not recommend staying there. Our room was tiny, our entire view consisted of the other tower of the hotel, no amenities, and everyone except the bar staff was rude. Next time I'm in NOLA, I'm still hitting up the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone - they make an awesome sazerac and the novelty of a revolving bar will never grow old.

If I were going again, I'd either be looking for something south/west of Canal St. You'll find more main-stream hotels, and still be close enough to the action of the French Quarter. Another option is to hit up hotwire and score a 3 or 4 star hotel for super cheap - but without knowing which hotel you'll be at until you commit.

The entire area is basically flat, so its super easy to walk from one side of the Quarter to another and back, and staying "in" the Quarter isn't really worth it.

If money were no object, I'd be looking at one of the numerous B&Bs inside the Quarter.

Also, I can't say enough about hitting up The Green Goddess for dinner one night. Its a tiny place off an alleyway, but serving an amazing selection of innovative dishes (and you can end your meal with a Bacon Praline Sundae!)

thanks, not being at all familiar with the area isn't helping me much. Didn't even think of B&Bs. I'll look into it.

[Randimus Maximus]

I've stayed at the Royal Sonesta, which is right on the Quarter and is quite nice. It might be a little pricey, however.

[bevel]

thanks, not being at all familiar with the area isn't helping me much. Didn't even think of B&Bs. I'll look into it.

B&Bs in the Quarter are going to be more expensive than the hotels in the Quarter, which are themselves more expensive than those outside the Quarter.

Generally speaking, you want to stay south/west of the Quarter (past Canal). Don't even consider anything on the north/east side of the Quarter (past Frenchman St)... neighborhoods just get "interesting" on that side.

If your buddy really is just looking for a deal, its hard to beat HotWire.com. Look for something in the "Download New Orleans" or "Convention Center And Arts District" sections of town, and it'll be much cheaper than the Quarter or Garden District.

[hbliam]

My father (who passed in 2010) and his wife live on Governor Nichols in the French Quarter (opposite side of the quarter from Canal Street) and have for 20 years or so. They are heavily involved in Mardi Gras and French Quarter tourism. They (She now) give walking tours of the French Quarter. Your friend is going to find herself spending most of her FQ time between Canal and Jackson Square and between Jackson Square and the river. So, I would suggest, as my parents did when I visited, to stay in the name hotels on Canal in the 600 block or below. Marriott, JW Marriot, or Sheraton. I've stayed in all three and they are all nice, safe, and clean. The B and B's are hit and miss. The Marriott at 555 Canal is on the FQ side of the street and the JW is across the street.

Safety? There are so many people walking around, at all hours, as long as she keeps walking and stays in the main FQ parts there is no worry.

[Speedbag]

Watch out for the Hurricanes at Pat O'Brien's....long, sordid story. 

[fastwin]

Watch out? Heck, I thought that's why you go there! Sordid stories are just a benefit they don't charge extra for!!

[bevel]

I think Speedbag meant "make sure", not "watch out" 

Sazeracs, Hand Grenades, and Hurricanes make NOLA fun.

[Speedbag]

I think Speedbag meant "make sure", not "watch out" 

Essentially. 

NOLA = my worst hangover EVER. My apologies to the staff of whatever the hell restaurant that was (great steak from what I recall) that we almost burned down by accidentally lighting the tablecloth on fire....

[MendoDave]

Try La Quinta on the west bank. Its a near the bridge, Less than 15 minutes from downtown. Rooms less than $100

http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?propId=579&savedSearchQuery=%2Flq%2FproxySearchRes.do%3Favailability.palsra_IND_M%3D03%26availability.palsra_IND_D%3D21%26availability.palsra_IND_Y%3D2012%26availability.palsra_OTD_M%3D4%26availability.palsra_OTD_D%3D25%26availability.palsra_OTD_Y%3D2012%26availability.palsra_NRM%3D1%26availability.palsra_ROC%3D2%26availability.palsra_NCH%3D0%26availability.palsra_AMC2%3DNSMK%26availability.palsra_RPC1%3D&saveRoomPref=NSMK

Don't ask how I know about this place.

[DesmoDiva]

Paging Swampduc....

He's a NOLA native.

You could drop him a PM for suggestions.

[gmerri]

Try iberville suites, it shares all the Ritz Carlton amenities adjacent at 1/2 the price, and is a block and half easy walk to the quarter. nice place.