Alexa or Astor Crowne Plaza?
 

If anyone has stayed at both these hotels, I am interested to know if there is much difference to size of room. Will be sharing a room with another couple and don't wan't to feel too crowded.

Sorry. Hotels are in New Orleans.

We stayed at Alexa this past weekend. Price was $159, but there was a convention that jacked everything in N. O.up... can be had cheaper even on their own website most weekends. FYI that the Astor Crowne Plaza and Alexa are actually several buildings that share one common lobby and apparently front desk services. When you check into Alexa, your room key is labeled &quot;Astor Crowne Plaza.&quot; Somewhat confusing. The Alexa has its own lobby on Royal St., but if you arrive by car you will be told to go around to the Astor entrance on Canal St. King room is quite nice, if a bit small. Hotel is about a year old, so the rooms are clean and professionally appointed. However, not a good hotel choice if you are bringing a car. Valet-only parking is actually off-site 5 blocks away in a garage directly across from a public housing project, in a neighborhood that as a native of New Orleans I assure you is not where you would want to walk, ever. To go anywhere by car, you are loaded on a shuttle van and driven to the garage. When you check out, same deal with you and your baggage. This is same for both Alexa and Crowne Plaza...they share a bell desk. By the time you've checked out and gotten to your car, you've dealt with a bellman, concierge, valet, shuttle driver, and valet at the garage, so have your tip roll ready. <BR><BR>Great location for French Quarter access. Nice clean and new rooms, though the interior of hotel is a maze. Depending on which elevator you get on, you wind up in the Astor lobby on Canal, or the Alexa lobby on Royal. Shares pool/health facilities with Astor Crowne Plaza, but this past weekend jacuzzi was out of order and pool area is only open 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, so forget that romantic hot tub end to your day in the Quarter if you get back to hotel after dinner. We would only stay again without a car, which if you want to do anything that is not in the Quarter, CBD, or along the St. Charles streetcar line, could be an issue.

Thanks for the info on the parking, Geno. I've never heard of such a parking mess at a nice hotel! It seems that they would shuttle the VALET, not the guest, down to the lot and have him/her retrieve your car to drive it back to the Crowne Plaza!