Sha20

Hi,

My girlfriends and I are going to New Orleans for the first time in mid August. What hotels would anyone suggest? We want to be close to French Quarters but we don't want to stay in a hotel there. We want to be able to walk to the action.

Thanks in advance.

starrs

Dauphine Orleans

Rich

You really do not want to be walking around at nite outside the Quarter . .

Some of Our favrites that are in the Quarter:

Dauphine Orleans http://www.dauphineorleans.com/

Iberville Suites http://www.ibervillesuites.com/

Monteleone http://hotelmonteleone.com/

le Richelieu http://www.lerichelieuhotel.com/

Sha20

Thanks for your help @Starrs @Rich. What do each of you think of the Loews Hotel or the W New Orleans?

starrs

I MUCH prefer the location of the Dauphine Orleans.

Rich

I've not stayed in either so can't comment.

bachslunch

I would definitely recommend staying in the French Quarter, preferably choosing something located within a rectangle bounded by Ursuline Ave., Bourbon St., Canal St., and Decatur St.

Will also echo the idea that for the most part you do not want to be walking around at night outside the Quarter, and even here, I'd stick to streets with some foot traffic and within the area mentioned. You don't have to confine yourself to Bourbon St., though -- Royal St. is fine in this area and more pleasant to walk along, in my experience.

padams421

Why do you not want to stay in the FQ?

kelbo

I have stayed at the W and it is nice but I think it is usually overpriced compared to other hotels. I loved the Omni Royal Orleans on Royal street. It is right in the french quarter, but away from Bourbon so no noise and a more charming location.

ccolor

I'm not sure why you don't want to stay in the French Quarter (NOTE: no 's' - there's only one Quarter!) but especially for the first time, it's the only place to say. After saying that, I would suggest the Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans /French Quarter. It was the Ramada Inn on Bourbon until this month and is located in the approximate center of the Quarter on Bourbon Street (always a plus since you can walk pretty much everywhere and don't need a car). It's too much fun to have a balcony room and people watch, but you won't get much sleep from staying there - the back rooms facing the courtyard are much quieter, if that's what you prefer. My thought is that I'm NOT in NOLA for sleep and can do that when I get home. Enjoy the city!!

kansasmom

When we went to New Orleans two months ago, we stayed at the Homewood Suites on Poydras. I liked the hotel, but it seemed just a little far away from the FQ. Although we did walk to the FQ several times, I would rather stay just a little closer next time. I noticed some nice looking hotels on Canal Street, which is one of the "boundary" streets of the quarter. Don't worry; it's perfectly nice with lots of restaurants and shops right there. The hotels are chains, I think, rather than unique boutique hotels, but it all depends what you are looking for. And the location would be great for walking all around.

ClandestineNola

Check out the International House in Camp St., which is about 2 blocks walking from the Quarter. Or the Roosevelt - which is about 1 block away.

Within the Quarter, there's the Maison Dupuy. We've had clients who stayed there and they liked it. It's not in "the thick of it" but it's close enough.

The Iberville Suites was OK - nice to have a separate room ala suite; but the rooms are small and pretty dated. The W on Poydras needs some work; the one in the Quarter is a great location but i'd agree its a bit overpriced.

As mentioned above, make sure you stay together and use your heads. This isn't meant to scare you - I'd give this advice to anyone visiting pretty much any city.

Have fun!