Seeking impressions on 4 hotels

"JimL" <j-lattie.DeleteThis@neiu.edu> wrote
>I am seeking impressions from locals or regular visitors....
> The reviews on Tripadvisor.com are varied and contradictory. Does
> anyone on this list have any recent impressions on the following
> places?

Frommer's (www.frommers.com) and Zagat's guides are generally the best
references for hotels and restaurants for any city, including New Orleans.
The online opinion places are likely to be contradictory because (a) people
have different impressions, and (b) generally, those with bad experiences
are more likely to post a review.

> -- Historic French Market Inn (stayed there 5 yrs ago, before they
> did their 'renovating.' It was in poor shapee back then.)

Don't know.

> -- St Louis Hotel (usually doesn't list discounts, maybe this is a
> bargain?)

Frommer's describes it as "somewhat disappointingly dull for what ought to
be a charming boutique hotel". However rooms have balconies and it's
location in right in the Quarter. It's not a great hotel, but the hotel is
not generally why people come to New Orleans.

> -- St Anne Marie Antoinette -- very mixed reviews on diff sites

It's just off Bourbon St, so it's likely to be a little noisy. It's a small
pricey boutique hotel with an average reputation.

> --I can't remember the fourth. From all the above, I can see listed
> 78-89 daily prices. The Prince Conti lists a flat $100, and also
> claims recent renovations.

$80-$100 per day in New Orleans is a good deal. Many better places charge
twice as much.

IMO, staying in the French Quarter is unecessarily expensive. New Orleans is
a small city, and places just outside the Quarter (the CBD, for instance)
can be real bargains and only a block or two away. In addition, staying on
St Charles Avenue is even more of a deal and the streetcar will take you to
the Quarter 24/7 (an enjoyable 10-15 minute ride) for $1.25 .

Try www.neworleanscvb.com , the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau,
for info on hotels, restaurants, and events. They usually have up-to-date
data on deals available. You might also consider staying at a bed &
breakfast, a possibility that many people take advantage of here in the city
filled with beautiful mansions. Check out www.bbnola.com (Note: competitive
B&B sites often list substandard unlicensed ones).


Michael
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
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"JimL" <j-lattie DeleteThis @neiu.edu> wrote
> I'm always amazed that the many different online booking sites can have
> so many different prices for the same places - sometimes widely
> different! One site will have one property for less, and another for
> more. I actually create spreadsheets in planning trips.

The online reservation services have pre-arranged a price with each hotel or
hotel chain. So the price depends on who is the better bargainer. I usually
recommend that people NOT get reservation through the online services
because the contract is between the hotel and the service, not with you.
Therefore, if you aren't happy, the hotel often couldn't care less. I think
that yhou shouldn't need the services of a garden gnome to see that you get
a good experience. Often, you can contact the hotel directly and get the
same price.

> I am aware of places outside the Quarter. I've stayed in the CBD. But
> then for a slightly lower rate, I have to factor in about four cab
> fares per day, plus the time and convenience factor. I could save $20
> on a CBD or Garden hotel, and then spend $30 or more per day on
> transportation.

I don't understand. The CBD if about 5 blocks wide and immediately adjacent
to the French Quarter, so a cab seems unnecessary. There are certainly
hotels a greater distance away, of course, but I don't recommend those to
people for the reason you mention. The hotels on St Charles, however, are
easily accessible on the streetcar, travel directly to the Quarter, and
avoid the need for a cab or a car.

Michael
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
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I know, Michael. Not meaning to debate -- just my preference to stay
"in the middle" A place in the CBD may say "4 blocks to the Quarter."
That's to Canal St. Then 8 blocks to Jackson Square, where I start my
day with coffee and an order. Then wander around, then, mid day, I
like to go back to my hotel to relax and perhaps change for dinner.
Gee, 12 blocks back. Then in again for dinner somewhere, then maybe
back to change again and return for some night life, and then stagger
back again to crash. That's a lot of miles. ;-Q

I once got bumped from Bourbon Orleans to the Wyndham at Canal Place.
Great savings on their inflated rack rate, but it half ruined my trip,
between all the walking, and cabs, (trolley stops not convenient to
either end). I'd do a half a day, go back, be exhausted, and most days
not leave the room again. OK, so I'm old and out of shape.

And while some people don't necessarily consider the hotel as part of
their vacation, I do. I like the nice surroundings, as a break from my
messy home. I never married - couldn't find a spouse who would change
my sheets and towels every day.
 >> Stay informed about: Seeking impressions on 4 hotels