smoot60

Calling all NOLA experts! Please help with decision as to where to stay for a quick weekend in New Orleans. I have researched and the Hotel Villa Convento sounds like a local place with character. Also considering the Le Pavilion. It's a little more expensive and probably a little nicer than the Villa Convento but I like the ideal of a balcony. Any comments would be helpful.

Ike

I would check with The Windsor Court Hotel or The Ritz Carlton. Their rates this time of the year are pretty low. Both hotels rank in the top hotels in the U. S. My choice would be RC. You should get a room for around $400/night but WC may be a little cheaper. The RC has a great spa and nice bar. The French Quarter Bar is home to Jeremy Davenport. Go and hear some great jazz.

Have lunch/dinner at Galatoire's right around the corner.

snowrooster

We always stay at Royal Sonesta right on Bourbon St. It's a little oasis of high end tranquility right in the heart of it all. I'm the Ritz is a lovely hotel, but I don't care for the location - it's a bit of a walk to get to the center of the French Quarter. Not to poo poo all of Ike's suggestions, but I think Galatoires has gone downhill in the quality of their food. Locals have told me (I used to live in NO) that it is now more widely known as a place to be social & have a few drinks! We had horrible service last time we dined there.

Ike

Snowrooster you can walk from RC to the center of FQ in no more than 10 minutes. Is that too far? And for your information Galatoire's was rated the # 1 restaurant in America two years ago and nothing's changed. You must have had a bad waiter. Ask for Richard next time.

snowrooster

Ike - We DEFINITELY had a bad waiter - I think he was at least 100 years old. I ordered a crab dish and there were bits of shell in it, so we have not returned. My dad loves Galatoires and he is heading to NO in May, so I'll have to see what he thinks this time around.

Normally I would say 10 minutes isn't too far to walk, but with so many hotels right in the very heart of the FQ, I personally would never choose the Ritz. Especially late at night, I don't know how comfortable I would be making that walk since it is in the outskirts of the FQ.

Ike

Snowrooster the Royal Sonesta is a fine hotel but it's not in the class with the RC. And the RC just reopened after Katrina in better shape than before. Even though RC is on the edge of the FQ it's still a fine location. You can walk to Peristyle, Bayona, Mr. B's, etc. in 5/6 minutes. And Felx's/Acme is just around the corner. I walk the FQ in the day and go out to dinner at night in my car or a cab. I don't walk the Q at night except back from Bayona or Peristyle.

snowrooster

If you stay at Royal Sonesta you can walk the Q at night, which we do.

likeswords

While not an expert, I did love the Villa Convento: inexpensive, very friendly, character, good location. We had a balcony there over Ursulines Street (I think we were in 202), which made it extra nice. Good luck!

J_Correa

I have heard good things about the Villa Convento as well. Not a fancy place, but a good, solid place to stay for a nice price.

I think that whether or not the Ritz is in a decent location or not is sort of a moot point. Smoot mentioned Villa Convento, with rates in the $100-200 range and Le Pavilion with rates in the $200 range. I imagine that the Ritz at $400/night is beyond the budget.

smoot60

J Correa, you are correct. While I didn't mention a budget, I really don't want to spend $300-$400 on a hotel room. Those prices I will pay only in NYC. Just wanted some feedback on the Hotel Villa Convento. Really want to stay someplace that is locally owned where we can give back directly to NOLA. So just looking for comments on the Hotel Villa Convento or the Le Pavillion. Thanks.

ccolor

That's a great attitude to want to give back to New Orleans natives but please remember, even if a hotel is a chain the employees need business to keep their jobs. Have a great time - I'm jealous!!

cd

Not a NOLA expert and I have never stayed here, but just made reservations at the le Richelieu in the French Quarter, recommended by Fodors, Frommers, Travel and Leisure...www.lerichelieuhotel.com and you can have a balcony with resonable prices.

snowrooster

My parents just did a quick trip to New Orleans this weekend. Dad insisted they got to Galatoires as it has been one of his long time favorites. As I mentioned in a previous post, dh went there several years ago and were very disapointed, so I was curious to hear if he was as impressed with it as he had been in the past. Unfortunately both of my parents were disapointed. They said the service was bad and the food was not very good. Even though this was what I anticipated, I was sad for them as it was one of their two dinners and my dad had such fond memories. Anyway, just wanted to give an update. They ate at NOLA their other night out and loved it.

dfr4848

snowrooster - thanks for the update. Galatoire's has long been one of our favorites. We haven't been there in a while, so appreciate recent comments.

Dan

I had lunch at Galatoire's today and was also disappointed. Still one of my favorite restaurants but the service was just atrocious--almost to the point of me complaining, which I never do. Luckily, the food was pretty good and I was using a gift certificate, so I'll let this one pass. It's still one of the great New Orleans "watch the world go by" restaurants where the "show" is half the fun.

Dan

Villa Convento is a nice little property and gets good reviews. It's cheap and casual but not fancy by any means. Should be a good choice. I always recommend that people stay in the "residential" part of the Quarter. Much more atmosphere, in my opinion, than the big boxy Canal Street/CBD hotels! Enjoy.

starrsville

I haven't been since Katrina but the Dauphine Orleans is my fav. The patio rooms are wonderful if you want to splurge a little and the hotel rooms are very nice. The location is great - especially for walking back from FQ at night.