stormygirl

another couple and my husband and I are planning a trip to New Orleans this September. We are considering staying at The Omni Royal Orleans on St Louis Street. Does anyone have any comments on this hotel? We like Omni's and the location seems good but I'd love any first hand experience.

We are also making our list of places to eat, so far it includes:

Cafe DuMonde

Acme Oyster & Central Market for lunch

Galatoires & Commanders Palace for dinner. We need a few less dressy, less expensive, good food options here.

Also interested in your favorite bars for after dinner drinks, music and dancing!

ejcrowe

Be prepared for very high heat & humidity! I've never stayed at the Omni Royal Orleans, but it's in a killer location and it looks very snazzy from the street. I'd say go for it!

For lunch also consider the open-air Cafe Maspero, especially if the line for muffalettas at Central Grocery is out the door.

Commander's is good any time, but I personally prefer it for their jazz brunch. Check into Bella Luna, a wonderful restaurant with great views of the river and the Crescent City Connection (bridge)--fabulous food, wonderful service. Call ahead for reservations before your trip, and go early for the best seats (6:30), as you may not be able to request a specific table.

I've been to Galatoire's twice. The first time I raved about to anyone who would listen and the second time I was very disappointed. I think it, Antoine's and Arnaud's have been resting on their laurels for some time.

Take a look at Mr. B's Bistro for lunch or dinner. It's not cheap, but it's not in the astronomical categories, either. No dress code, but I would personally feel uncomfortable there dressed in a tank top and cut offs, for example.

Also take a look at Irene's. It's a wonderful little place that was perfectly suitable for me in all of my visits to New Orleans--as a solo business traveler, as a romantic getaway, and with a large group of friends.

Have a great time! Now that I live in MA instead of MS, it's harder and harder to get down there for a visit.

TripleSecDelay

Somebody else booked us into the other Omni on Gravier St. during April.
If they're anything alike (they won't be) you'll be fine. Possibly, mgmt is of equal caliber = no complaints.
12-foot ceilings for guest rooms and sedate, marble-tiled bath. Tub/shower had interesting shower curtain issues (see Europe board for great ideas on tub,shower,etc.) nice fit and finish to the entire room and its acoutrements.

Staff was helpful w/directions, hailing cabs, storing luggage on final checkout (had 6 hrs preflight). Pool on roof would have fit in our room. That was good for a laugh. Check yer pool status at the Royal if that's important to you.

Location is fine. We met several people staying there during our visit.

Byrd

Travelzoo has a special at the Omni Royal Orleans through Sept. 8 for $88, Sunday through Thursday. Weekends are $20 more.

travelzoo.com

Byrd

stormygirl

Thanks so much for the info!! We are going the end of Sept the last week or 2. I'll watch Travel Zoo incase they extend that!

DownSouth

There are some good fun restaurants on Magazine Street (garden district/uptown areas). We love Joey K's, an old neighborhood restaurant, which is near other good restaurants (around the 3100 block of Magazine). This area is very close to Commander's on Washington Avenue. Casual and inexpensive. Good shopping is also in this area which can be combined with eating.

Dick and Jenny's is a favorite - still casual but more expensive. It's on Tchoupatoulas so you will need to take a cab. We were there the other night and sat next to four tourists (very underdressed in shorts and tank-tops) who had walked from the Quarter! They were whipped!

Stormygirl, keep a watchful eye on the Gulf of Mexico. You don't want to be in New Orleans during any type of hurricane. September is usually a very active month.

mah1980

Look at quikbook.com for good NO hotel rates. You might want to also use the search feature to look at New Orleans restaurant recommendations as this is one of the most heavily discussed topics. Snowrooster is going and she recently had a thread re: the best restaurants to go. As a previous poster said, Galatoire's, Antoine's, and Arnaud's have gotten complacent and I don't think they're worth going to anymore for the food alone.

DownSouth

Stormygirl, don't scratch Galatoire's too quickly off your list. They just won the culinary industry's highest honor, the James Beard Foundation's 2005 Outstanding Restaurant Award. It's a classic.

formerfreqflyer

I stayed at the Royal Orleans Omni in April and really liked it. The rooftop pool, bar, & observation deck caused me to extend my trip another day. Great location just far enough away from Bourbon Street for me. When comparing rates, be sure to factor in parking (and tips) if you will have a car. Have a super time!

mah1980

There have been a couple of articles in the Times Picayune re: Galatoire's slipping. Yes, it's still a good restaurant that has the reputation of being a classic. However, many other restaurants are better (IMHO) in terms of the food itself.

stormygirl

Well it seems that the rates at the Omni for that weekend are really high so we are looking for other options. Prefer close to FQ, pool, $200 or less per night, good service! Would prefer a boutique style, smaller hotel vs. a large Mariott style but they may have to change. Opinions???

Fairhope

Monteleone?

stormygirl

I'm checking out Quikbook and some prices look ok- any comments on the Hotel Monteleone?

Fairhope

Monteleone - good location, nice rooftop pool,small old fashioned room, easy parking-valet, didn't need any service -all went well,I negotiated price on phone because I didn't want package offered on internet.
About Commanders-neither of us remembers what we ate but the service was incomparable. As I recall they changed my wife's napkin when she left the table. I loved the table we had downstairs so we saw everyone that entered but some prefer upstairs I think

Fairhope

PS we love the Palace Cafe on FQ side of Canal St.

stormygirl

thanks fairhope!!

Do any of the restaurants have chef's tables in the kitchen??

stormygirl

We just booked the wine table at Commander's Palace but I'm still interested in anyplace with a chef's table. Also great bars to hit after our meals!