Bourbon Street

AlphaO · #1 11-23-2003, 06:27 PM

A few friends and myself are talking about planning a last minute New Years trip andhave decided on Bourbon Street.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on hotels, or any infomation you could provide! Thanks!!

Hootie · #2 11-23-2003, 06:40 PM

I stayed in the Pontchatrane (sp?) when I was in N.O. It was located on Saint Charles Ave. and was sorta outta the way of the mass chaos of Bourbon St. However I will say this much, if you get a trolly car pass for the week (which is really conveinent) just ask the driver what parts to avoid.

We decided to take the trolly car down St. Charles Ave one night and we went past Layola U. and stuff...we got to this one drop off, and our driver told us to get off and he'd swing back around to pick us up. We were like, HUH? He was looking out for us, cuz I guess the area he was headed to next wasn't a "nice area" and he said we'd be safer waiting. We were SO appreciative!

Have fun ~ I wish I could go back. I absolutely loved the atmosphere. Eat some alligator while you're there!

swissmiss04 · #3 11-23-2003, 09:17 PM

Don't stay at the Best Western on St. Charles Ave. Just don't.

There is a nice hotel on Jackson Square (I forgot the name) but it's reasonably priced considering you're right there. Do a search on orbitz and see what u come up with. Try to stay as close as possible because walking can be a bitch and you don't want to drive from Metarie or something like that. My best experience in a New Orleans hotel was the Queen and Crescent Hotel on Camp Street. Fairly good price and the rooms are nice. Plus you're close. Good luck and have fun! Go eat at Mona's on Decatur street or the Thai restaurant behind the Mint Building (right off Decatur Street). And eat breakfast at Croissant D'or.

Cluey · #4 11-23-2003, 10:19 PM

We stayed at the Fairmont, which isn't in the French Quarter, but is within walking distance to it and the streetcar pickup. I highly recommend the Fairmont. It was very nice and not overly expensive.

Hope this helps!

DeltAlum · #5 11-23-2003, 10:27 PM

I've stayed at a pretty nice Marriott within walking distance of the Frence Quarter, but it's probably fairly pricey.

GPhiLlama · #6 11-23-2003, 10:29 PM

Any place on the end of St. Charles closest to the Quarter is decent. It's expensive, but the Garden District isn't a bad area. Just remember that NO has extremely poverty-ridden areas-one minute, you're walking through mansions and the next you're in one of the many slums. I'm not that familiar with the hotels, but Camellia Grill on the line is fantastic for breakfast, and you really should try to eat at one of the bars in the Quarter. They have good food! Lotsa fantastic places.

juniorgrrl · #7 11-24-2003, 01:57 AM

For my FI's 21st his parents took us to the quarter for the night (we live in the 'burbs of NOLA so it was easier to get a hotel room) and we stayed at a place called the French Market Inn. It was right across from the Jax Brewery - really convenient.

If you're looking to come down for NYE, book soon. With the Sugar Bowl, things book up hella fast.

Places to eat:
Camellia Grill - it's on Carrolton, on the streetcar line. Best damn greasy spoon ever.

Maspero's - in the french quarter, across from Jax Brewery. Amazing baked ham and cheese sandwiches and $2 strawberry daquiris. Beware - they only take cash.

Cafe du Monde - Cafe au lait and beignets. Yum!

If you're looking to spend more serious cash, try Commander's Palace, Brennans or Galatoire's.

When you're in the FQ, go to Pat O's piano bar. Have a hurricane. Remember that there's a $2 deposit for the glass - if you don't return your glass at the end of the evening, you won't get your deposit back and you keep the glass. After FI's birthday party, we ended up with 6 of them.

Don't ride the city busses. Just don't. The streetcars (its not a trolley, dammit, its a streetcar!!!) are pretty safe and convenient, but don't run all the way into the quarter.

Take a ride through the Garden District in the daytime. It's gorgeous. Note the big church on Loyola's campus, right on St. Charles - its where I'm getting married!

Have fun. NOLA is a great city.

lifesaver · #8 11-24-2003, 03:38 AM

Try the Columns on St. Charles.

Fun, trendy and inexpensive.

GPhiLlama · #9 11-24-2003, 10:18 AM

Actually, don't ride the Feret Street bus. Feret isn't a good area, anyway. And the streetcar takes you down to Canal-cross the street, go down a couple of blocks, and you're in the Quarter. There are plans to revive the Canal Street line...not sure if it's going to happen anytime soon.

And make sure you go to the Riverwalk!

XOAlumXO · #10 11-24-2003, 01:23 PM

I stayed at the Sheraton on Canal. I had a great time. Make sure to go to Cafe Du Monde!! : )

Kristin AGD · #11 11-24-2003, 01:26 PM

If I am staying on Bourbon Street my favorite is the Royal Sonesta. Elegant, but right in the middle of the action.

I also have stayed at the Sheraton. It is one block from Bourbon Street & next to Harrah's. The Sheraton is great, because if you are having "troubles"

finding your way back to the hotel, it is the tallest building, just look up and head that direction.

aephi alum · #12 11-24-2003, 02:27 PM

I was down in New Orleans on business a few years back. Conveniently, the trip was scheduled for right after Mardi Gras.

I stayed at the Hyatt, which was ok. It gives the impression of being an older building that was hastily remodeled to include private baths. One of my coworkers had trouble finding his bed (!) until he discovered it was a murphy bed. I guess they put in a bathroom and then found they had no place left to put a bed.

DO NOT go to Commander's Palace if you are even slightly noise sensitive. Tile ceiling + hard floors + lots of people = deafening roar.

I wish I could remember all the places we ate! We ate at a steakhouse, and at a random little place near Bourbon St. that had a nice little garden where you could eat (we kinda wandered in, said "this looks cool" and sat down for dinner).

Enjoy your trip!

greeklawgirl · #13 11-24-2003, 02:56 PM

aephi alum, it sounds like the restaurant you are talking about might be the "Court of Two Sisters, " which I believe is famous for that courtyard.

Last time we were in New Orleans, we stayed at the Iberville Suites. Its in the Quarter, but only one short block from Bourbon. The Iberville is an all-suite hotel owned by the Ritz Carlton, so it was very comfortable and the service was excellent.

I also agree with aephi alum to avoid Commander's Palace. We didn't have a problem with the noise level, and the service was outstanding, but greeklawboy had the most virulent case of food poisoning I've ever seen after eating there. I thought we were going to have to go to an emergency room--it was scary.

I *do* highly recommend Galatoire's, though. It was one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten in my life!

amyzta · #14 11-24-2003, 06:01 PM

There are so many hotel choices in New Orleans! I prefer to stay in the French Quarter near Bourbon Street because I feel better not having a long walk to my hotel really late at night. Another plus to having a hotel on or close to Bourbon Street is that you have a clean restroom nearby, some of the club's restrooms are nasty by the end of the night.

The last time I was there I stayed at the Prince Conti Hotel. http://www.princecontihotel.com/

Its location is very convenient and the price was really good.

Another place I have stayed at in the past is the Bourbon Orleans. Their location is great, but they had some really rude workers.

I've never stayed at the Royal Sonesta, but I want to next time. It looks very nice.

Have a fun trip. New Orleans is one of my favorite places to go.

AlphaO · #15 11-25-2003, 08:53 PM

Thanks for all the tips guys! I am sure we will have fun and I will let everyone know about my trip