Tell me about New Orleans....

Rio_Kohitsuji · #1 07-12-2006, 03:58 PM

Here's the deal, my fiance and I are researching places for us to honeymoon. We don't want the generic honeymoon experience at some beach or take some cruise. So, we thought about going down to NoLa. So far in my researching of hotels and all I've found some really good deals. Yet since we're not familar with the area, what's the best place to stay and all? (And also, what things should we look out for?)

We really love to go to musuems and all along with all the "old people" activities.

So, inform me GCers!

KSigkid · #2 07-12-2006, 04:08 PM

The last things I remember from my trip to New Orleans were beer, jambalaya, Popeye's fried chicken, and tossing beads from my buddy's house.

It was during Mardi Gras, so I guess that explains it...

macallan25 · #3 07-12-2006, 04:31 PM

1.) Why were you eating Popeye's during Mardi Gras.....or in New Orleans period for that matter.

2.) To answer your original question. I think Nola is probobly the worst place to go for a honeymoon. Sure, it has some history and a couple nice areas, but that is it. You go to New Orleans to drink excessively and party. If you know anything about New Orleans, you know that it is extremely dirty/dangerous/shithole/etc.

....if you want to go somewhere with history, old people stuff, fun atmosphere, beautiful, etc. go to somewhere like Charleston.

shinerbock · #4 07-12-2006, 04:47 PM

Well, I would never go solely to New Orleans for a honeymoon, however it could be a fun place to visit...I've stayed at several places, so heres my take...

-The Hilton on the river is very nice and close to everything, it is probably one of the largest hotels in the area, so there is a lot to offer
-The French Market Inn is a reasonably priced simple hotel which has a nice New Orleans/Quarter/Garden Courtyard type feel to it.
-I stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza in March, and I had a mixed review regarding it. I think it is probably generally very nice, and close to downtown, but Katrina victims had been staying there so it probably wasn't quite as nice as it traditionally is. It costs about the same amount as the Hilton, I believe.
-The Monteleone is a very nice hotel right in the Quarter, and it's very traditional.
- The Intercontinental is by far the best hotel I've stayed at in the city. It is more expensive, but worth it. I was with my father on business, and we were in a large top floor suite, so I can't speak for the normal rooms. However, I can't imagine they'd be anything but exceptional.

Restaurants-
Muriels- Is right in the corner of Jackson Square, one of the most popular and best places in the city. My family's favorite restaurant in town...food and service is excellent. Its not inexpensive (I spent about 150 for 2 in March, with a bottle of wine), but for the quality, it isn't absurd.

Redfish Grill- Right on Bourbon, a great place for local flavor food, more laid back dining, but still quite nice.

AOIIBrandi · #5 07-12-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well, I would never go solely to New Orleans for a honeymoon, however it could be a fun place to visit...I've stayed at several places, so heres my take...

-The Hilton on the river is very nice and close to everything, it is probably one of the largest hotels in the area, so there is a lot to offer
-The French Market Inn is a reasonably priced simple hotel which has a nice New Orleans/Quarter/Garden Courtyard type feel to it.
-I stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza in March, and I had a mixed review regarding it. I think it is probably generally very nice, and close to downtown, but Katrina victims had been staying there so it probably wasn't quite as nice as it traditionally is. It costs about the same amount as the Hilton, I believe.
-The Monteleone is a very nice hotel right in the Quarter, and it's very traditional.
- The Intercontinental is by far the best hotel I've stayed at in the city. It is more expensive, but worth it. I was with my father on business, and we were in a large top floor suite, so I can't speak for the normal rooms. However, I can't imagine they'd be anything but exceptional.

Restaurants-
Muriels- Is right in the corner of Jackson Square, one of the most popular and best places in the city. My family's favorite restaurant in town...food and service is excellent. Its not inexpensive (I spent about 150 for 2 in March, with a bottle of wine), but for the quality, it isn't absurd.

Redfish Grill- Right on Bourbon, a great place for local flavor food, more laid back dining, but still quite nice.

I will not stay at the NO Hilton anymore after the way they treated us when we were staying there the weekend of Katrina. I know it was a stressful time, but the guests were stressed as well considering we did not live in the city had no car and were praying our plane on Sunday would not get cancelled - as it was our only way out.

We stayed at the French Market Inn for a friends wedding - never again. The room was a king room and so small it was hard to get our luggage in it with us and the bed. Also if you were in the bathroom with the door closed you had to stand in the bathtub in order to open the door.

Monteleone is awesome, and the Carousel bar makes the best Bloody Mary I've ever had.

The Marriott on Canal is pretty good, as well as the Wyndham Canal Place and either of the Ws (NO or French Quarter). I have heard great things about the Loew's but have never stayed there.

As far as food it depends on how much you want to spend. The Gumbo Shop is great and inexpensive. Brennan's (if it has re-opened) for breakfast is pretty expensive but definitely an experience. Cafe Dumond is classic NO and you have to visit once. There are also serveral Emeril restaurants and others owned by the Brennan family - all very good. Honestly though you can get great food in almost any restaurant in the French Quarter in all price ranges. Even the hole in the wall pizza and po-boy places are good.

macallan25 · #6 07-12-2006, 05:50 PM

I agree with the Intercontinental, very nice. The normal rooms are good sized and pretty good priced as far as i'm concerned. I was there a couple weekends ago with some rushees.

PhiMuAmberkins · #7 07-12-2006, 10:27 PM

Before Katrina, I would have said "GO! It's so much fun!" (although for a honeymoon I'm not really sure it would be that fun). But now...things are still really bad down there from what I hear. Just a thought...

f8nacn · #8 07-12-2006, 10:34 PM

I haven't been to New Orleans yet but I wouldn't go there right now for a honeymoon...try Colonial Williamsburg (VA) - its romantic, historic, would prove to be a great experience...

shinerbock · #9 07-12-2006, 10:48 PM

I second Charleston. My favorite city on the planet.

trideltrockstar · #10 07-17-2006, 02:40 PM

I just went to New Orleans for spring break...I wouldn't recommend it for a honeymoon either. While we did have fun, I never felt entirely safe the whole time I was there. Compared to other cities, New Orleans seemed a lot more dangerous to me. Many businesses/shops/restaurants still aren't entirely back on their feet. A lot of places offer limited services or menus, some places don't accept credit cards any longer after Katrina.

macallan25 · #11 07-17-2006, 06:27 PM

Nola is extremely dangerous. I am pretty sure it is one of the top cities for crime rate and violent crime in the South.

DeltAlum · #12 07-18-2006, 05:31 PM

I haven't been to New Orleans since Katrina, but have been there several times before that for fairly long periods. (Two Super Bowls and a few conventions)

The scariest thing about it to me was the cops. They have no sense of humor.

DigitalAngel126 · #13 07-19-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

The scariest thing about it to me was the cops. They have no sense of humor.

I will definately second this!