ejcrowe

Hello--I will be traveling on my own for business later this month and was pleasantly surprised when a websearch turned up about a dozen hotels in the quarter for $99/night or less. I'd like you to help me pick a good one for my minimal expense account from among these: Ritz (surprisingly BAD reviews online, makes me leery, despite the name), Monteleone (I'm thinking it may be too big and impersonal), International House (not in the Quarter, but close enough), Richilieu, Maison Dupuy, Chateau Sonesta, Dauphine, the St. Louis, and the St. Pierre (which is listed as a B&B, not a hotel).

Okay, my main criterion is that the room have A/C. I would prefer having a window (you'd think this would be a no-brainer, but I read about several inside rooms of some hotels that have no windows). A view would be nice but not essential. Pool is unimportant, but having parking will be, as I'll have a rental car with me.

Because of my miniscule expense account, a place that offered a continental breakfast would be nice. The Dauphine offers b-fast and a cocktail each night, which I'm a sucker for. I'd rather save my money and eat out each night someplace special.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

SusanCS

The reason rates are so cheap now is because August and September are the hottest and most humid months of the year. You won't have to worry about not having A/C. In New Orleans, nobody could stay in business without it! Despite the Ritz' bad reviews, at $99 it's probably a very good buy. The complaints I've seen revolved around its not living up to the general reputation of other Ritz properties. Its sister property - the Iberville Suites -gets good reviews and I know it offers a breakfast buffet, so I'd be surprised if the Ritz doesn't too.

ejcrowe

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to NO in August. I used to live in south Mississippi, so there was a time in my life when 99% humidity and 100+ degree weather were just a part of things, but after living in New England for 3 years I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to the heat. And my boss is too cheap to send me to New Orleans during a more pleasant time of year!

Jon_Eric

Hey EJ I hear ya, I go to New England every summer to "escape from heat and humidity" and boy do I feel it when I step off the plane back here!

If you check out tripadvise.com you'll read some very flattering posts about the Dauphine Orleans. I used to live near it and always heard positive things. The Monteleone does seem to keep growing, but again people seem to like it. If memory serves... the St. Pierre may not be your cup of tea.
I have always liked the looks of the St. Louis, but "needs updating" is bantied around a lot in reference to it ofte enough. The International House is pretty hip and you'll not be the only business traveller for sure staying there. I have stayed at the Le Richelieu when the house was being renovated and it was fine. Free parking, local phone calls and it is a bargain. The other poster is correct, you can have your pick of hotels here in the summer. Dont forget to ask for a corporate rate too. The Chateau Sonesta is nice and is also (after the Ritz Carlton) the most expensive offering on your list so 99.00 really is a bargain. If your looking for quiet well, quieter then I'd say the Le Richelieu followed by Maison DuPuy are your best bets.

Jon_Eric

Where in southern Mississippi are you from? Pass Christian, Waveland, Pascagoula...?

richbutnot

We stayed in the Dauphine Orleans several years ago and it was fantastic. We may be sheltered, but that is the only motel I've seen where they fill up the ice bucket for you every night

LCBLANK

Hi
I've stayed at both the Maison Dupuy and the Hotel Monteleone and liked both. I think Maison Dupuy is more charming and you can request a room (with a window) overlooking the courtyard. It has been a handful of years since we've been, but the Maison Dupuy had a wonderful Sunday Jazz Brunch at their restaurant. Don't forget Cafe Dumond.

ejcrowe

Jon_Eric: I spent my childhood in Petal, Mississippi, and then moved around a bit to Jackson, MS, and then Winston-Salem, NC. Believe me, I know humidity! Where are you from?

Okay, thanks for all help. I've been browsing tripadvisor all morning and I've narrowed it to Le Richelieu and the Dauphine. Why do you think St. Pierre might not be my cup of tea?

Jon_Eric

EJ, I'm FROM New Orleans The St. Pierre despite being less than, well less than the others you've listed is in the part of the quarter once dubbed "Boys Town" or lets just say they attract a "different" type of "business" traveler that probably isn't the type of business you're in

ziggy

I have stayed at Le Richelieu twice. First time was better because of an upgrade to suite. But without the upgrade it's still a great place to stay. Not in a noisy area - but still within easy walking distance to everyplace in the Quarter. Whatever rate you get you've got to remember that at other places, with car, you'll be paying $20 extra for parking per night.

If your expense account is "minimal" you may want to try priceline - because late August can be awful in NOLA - you might get a place in the quarter for $50 or under - try looking at biddingfortravel.com and click on "Louisiana" to see what rates others are getting for hotels in the Quarter in August.