Where to stay in New Orleans?
 

Well, I've seen so many posts on where and what to do in other cities and the GCers always seem to give great travel advice, so here is my dilemma... I need some help planning a vacation to New Orleans.

Due to the greatness that is grad school, my honeymoon will not be the two weeks we planned in France but a four day stay in New Orleans. (Don't get me wrong... I'm super excited to go to N.O. and its the closest thing we can get to France until the big honeymoon to Europe in the summer) But, neither of us have ever been to New Orleans so we have no idea where to stay or what to do in the city.

Now, remember this is suppose to be somewhat romantic so there probably won't be any drunken debauchery on Bourbon Street, so what are some other fun things to do? Also, maybe some good restuarants?

Also, where should we stay? French Quarter or the Garden District?
(I was kind of leaning towards staying in a bed and breakfast kind of place or at least a nice four-star hotel.)


Well, hope some of you travel-savvy or local GCers out there can help me out!

There were a few nice B&Bs along the streetcar line in the Garden District.

Or...
*pulls cocktail napkin out of his wallet*

...the Prince Conti Hotel (the i is pronounced like eye). In the French Quarter. http://www.princecontihotel.com/

Around $100/night.. unless you're name is me and you have some phone numbers from staff that you hit on at the bars :D

My favorite place to stay in New Orleans is The Hotel Monteleone . It is in the heart of the French Quarter and you can usually get a really good internet rate. By the way the Carousel bar there has the best Bloody Marys ever. I have always wanted to stay at the W French Quarter, but the rates are usually pretty high. I have heard that there are some great B & Bs there, but be careful. Pictures and websites can be deceiving.

Windsor Court is, in my opinion, the best.

www.windsorcourthotel.com


Windsor Court in its 20 year history has been the recipient of numerous awards including:

*Top 100 Best Hotels in the U.S. List of Condé Nast Travelers - stayed in the top 25 for 20 years

*Travel & Leisure Magazines Top 100 U.S. Hotels - stayed in top 30 for 20 years.

*Andrew Harper's Hideaway "World's Best Hotels" - Top 20 List 2004, 2003, 2002.

*Departures Magazine's Top 25 Business Hotels List in the U.S.-2003 & 2004.

*Windsor Court is one of only two Mobil 4-Star Hotels in New Orleans.

*Windsor Court is a 4 Diamond AAA Hotel.

*Zagat has rated the Windsor Courts New Orleans Grill in 2004 survey, the number one New Orleans restaurant for service and decor.

the Gumbo Shop is a good restaurant.

I liked the Hyatt Regency on Loyola and Poydras. It has a mall attached to it, which made early morning coffee easy, a bar which is pretty good, and the rooms are nice. The hotel is very pretty and is pretty close (especially if you take the free hotel shuttle) to the French Quarter, and only a short trolley ride away from the Garden District. PM me if you want some restaurant suggestions, I just got back, and I LOVED it!!!!

New Orleans Suggestions
 

I've stayed at Bienville House in the French Quarter several times and enjoyed it, it seemed to be in walking distance of most things - http://www.bienvillehouse.com/

One restaurant we enjoyed was this one - http://www.palacecafe.com/
I also enjoyed House of Blues and Cafe Du Monde www.cafedumonde.com

We took a voodoo tour from this company that was entertaining and there are many others available as well - http://www.neworleanstours.net/
The tour included a lot of fascinating history of the area as well as the hauntings and voodoo.
I also went on a great paddleboat cruise back when Texas went to the Sugar Bowl - http://www.neworleanspaddlewheels.co...eolequeen.html

A friend of mine got engaged in the Park - http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/
The Audubon Park and Anne Rice's house on the St Charles Streetcar line is also nice to see. http://www.regionaltransit.org/
And you can go on a swamp tour at the Audubon Zoo - http://www.auduboninstitute.org/

There's lots of fun shopping too, depending on what you might be looking for. Magazine Street has some unique finds.
The French Market is fun - http://www.frenchmarket.org/


Have a fun honeymoon!

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions... you all are so amazingly helpful! I definitely feel like I have something to go off of now and am not just wandering blind around orbitz.com.

Keep them coming if you having any more tips!

The shuttle stops early- so if you're leaving the bar at 4AM expect to walk back to the Hyatt.
Seemed to be far from most things for me.

The Radisson is wonderful in New Orleans...we've been there several times, and they always remember us. Great service, great proximity to local attractions and they have a shuttle as well.

If you are a AAA member, you can get a great discount as well, and they will upgrade your room if necessary. Speaking from experience!!


DEFINITELY go by Aunt Sally's Pralines in the French Market for a delicious treat.....

Cafe Du Monde for 24 hour beignets....

Best place in town over in the Garden District is called Copeland Cheesecake....good food, gumbo, and BEST cheesecake hands down..this is one reason we go every year...TONS better than Cheesecake Factory


Have a great time...

The W is a great place to stay, and I highly recommend it...except during Mardi Gras. Non-Mardi Gras we were able to get a large room to fit 10 brothers comfortably - individual cost of $55 a night. During Mardi Gras, the rate was INSANE for a single room, and only two wristbands for entrance were given out. Sneaking everyone into and out of the room was easy as escaping prison.

Mr. A and I spent our honeymoon in New Orleans too and it was wonderful!

If you like French Quarter (and I prefer it *greatly* to the Garden District) check out the Soniat House http://www.soniathouse.com/

The picture on the "Rates" page shows the suite we stayed in - filled w/ 18th century antiques, great room service w/ homemade biscuits and jam and chicory coffee, and coffee in the courtyard at night.

It's about a block off of Bourbon Street - close enough to have some fun and stumble home, far enough away so the drunks aren't peeing under your window. Walking distance from Preservation Hall and the concierge can give you some great tips on local dining.

Congrats on your wedding! Mr A and I also had initial plans for a European honeymoon but honestly, it couldn't have been better than the N.O. trip. Europe can wait, it's not going anywhere. ;)

--add

I love the Chateau Sonesta...it's a little pricey though. I stayed there with my aunt one tine (when I didn't have to pay for it). During Mardi Gras we stayed at the Garden Plaza I think and it was great and cheap. You can walk to Bourbon but it's best to take the trolley. I like that area though it's pretty and not quite as dirty as Bourbon..

I stay somewhere different everytime I go...I've never had a bad experience. But I usually check out thier rating and all before I make the reservation.

Has anyone heard of any good or bad things about Place D'Armes hotel right on Jackson Square?

I've heard nothing about that hotel. The Quarter is pretty compact, so it'll be close to the things you want to do. It's close to all of the tourist things to do in the Quarter, but it's not on Bourbon.

I went to NOLA for a friend's wedding last month...the official wedding hotel was the Hotel Monteleone, and it was AWESOME. $99/night, which I split with a friend. It was one block from Bourbon Street, and close to all of the important restaurants.