Branv

We're hoping to get to New Orleans for our anniversary, first weekend in April. I've looked around at the online guides, and I'm frankly overwhelmed by all the options Seems like just about every hotel is labeled as within walking distance of attractions and beautiful. Which is what we are looking for, we really don't want to have to take a car to get anywhere.

It is our anniversary, so I'm looking for a distinguished hotel in French Quarter (is this the best area? I've seen an area described as the Garden District, but do not know how convenient that is to everything), romantic, would like to stay under $150, but will be flexible for the right hotel (and hopefully close enough to walk to sites, but not so close there is alot of street noise). Any places you would recommend?

Also, we're not the club type, so any other tips for things to do would be much appreciated. Tours sound great, but am not certain what are the best ones, and what their price range is. I've seen some recommendations on here for Greyline and NO Haunted Tour? Any pros or cons of those?

Actually, I'll take any good recommendations for a couple on their anniversary, whether it's hotels, restaurants, sites or any other pampering NO can provide We're not carte blanche here, but not on a totally limited budget.

Sorry for all the questions...I just can't figure out what is advertising and what is honest opinion on all these websites. I'd even take a good tourist book or website recommendation

Thank you so much!

GatorLadyUSA

I would suggest to you the International House Hotel. It's not in the Quarter, but it's not all that far either. It's beautiful and fabulous for romance. Try dinner at Irene's Cuisine or The Bombay Club.

curious45669

A romantic hotel, huh? OK, how about trying a B&B instead? It's a much more personal experience, I think. If you really want a hotel, how about the Le Richelieu? Get a suite. Excellent service and close to everything. No need for a car, but free parking if you do end up with one.
About your tour question, Grayline is good if you want to go out of town on a bus tour, like the plantations and stuff, but don't use them for French Quarter tours. Boooorrring!!! What is NO Haunted Tours? Do you mean New Orleans Ghost Tour? If that's what you meant, I think they're great! They do a cemtery tour too and the guy who does it is really terrific, Tom something. English accent. Anyway, I think you'll have no trouble finding things to do and fun to be had. Have a great anniversary!!!!!!!!!

travel_lover

I would suggest a visit to Jackson Square (for many reasons) but include a carriage ride, which can be romantic, as well as informational!

Walking around the french quarter holding hands and observing can also be romantic.

It's all in what you make it, right?

Try Petunia's for breakfast!!!

P.S. The French Quarter is larger than it looks on a map, imo. Staying to the west side (near canal street)- but not further west. It seems to be quiet area ... as well as not too far to access the whole quarter.

You can also easily walk to the St. Chas. Tolley Car to ride into the Garden District, stopping off at the beautiful park there

ezron

For a first timer you HAVE to stay IN the Quarter. For that price, we always recommend Place D'Armes. It is a wonderful romantic Quarter hotel with a courtyard and fountain and it is right on Jackson Square, and arguably the best location in the Quarter. We like the second floor rooms facing Chartres St., which is where we stayed when we celebrated my 50th. We have been to New Orleans many times and the Place D'Armes is our favorite. Good Luck !!

J_Correa

I agree with the recommendation to stay in teh Quarter. You will be close to lots of things to see, do and eat. Bourbon St is really the only street with a lot of street noise. The rest of the FQ isn't crazy like that. I also like the recommendation for just stolling hand in hand through the Quarter and taking a carriage ride - very romanic. The Garden District is vry nice - beautiful old homes, giant oak trees. Ride the St Charles streetcar through there and get off along the way and just stroll.
For tours I recommend the Historic New Orleans Walking Tour Co - we took a 2 hr walking tour with them for about $15/person and were very satisfied. We were going to take another tour with the same company but we ran out of time. I have heard positive things about their tous from other people as well. We also took a plantation tour with Spinato Tours and had a great time, It was a 1/2 day, visiting 2 plantations one of which was Laura plantation which I found very interesting, I have heard that Tours by Isabelle is similar - picks you up at your hotel, goes out in vans rather than beses so it's more personal.

mclaurie

For romantic hotels in NO, no list would be complete without Soniat House. It is in the quarter but tucked away. There is a main building and an annex. Experiences in rants & raves seem to be dependent on which room you get (some are very small, especially on the top floor). The rooms in the main building (which I've seen) evidently have more charm but are smaller than in the annex.
A definite must for a weekend trip is brunch. Brennans is famous. I like Mr. B's but haven't been for a while.

The plantation tours are great but if you're only there for the weekend, I'd stick to town. There are plenty of recent posts here on NO you should read.

Magazine St. has lots of fun antique shops (the ones on Royal St. are more "serious")