I'm looking for a special French Quarter hotel for my 1st visit to NO. Fairmont and Maison Dupuy are two I'm looking at. Any better recommendations>

I would also like info on any comparable hotel that might be more convenient.
Thanks.

Both the Fairmont and Maison Dupuy are fine although neither would be my first choice because of location. Try the Royal Sonesta, Monteleone, Omni Royal Orleans, or Bourbon Orleans instead. These four are nicer and better situated for the first-time visitor.

Karen - the Fairmont is not actually in the French Quarter - it's very close, but not IN the Quarter if that is particularly important to you. In addition to the Maison Dupuy, check out Maison de Ville and Soniat House.

Would you recommend the Soniat House over the Maison de Ville? Comparable rooms are available at both for the nights I'm requesting.

Karen,

Just a heads up if you are a first time visitor to New Orleans. The French Quarter, while being very historic and with lots of "atmosphere" of the fun times in NO can be very noisy, dirty, crowded and sleazy. The party goes on nearly all night in the french quarter and, depending on your schedule and how much of a "party animal" you are, accomodations right in the middle of it all may not be your first choice. Please do not get me wrong, it is a great place to visit and has lots of sights, but it is not the place to relax and have a peaceful evening.

Maria

Mostly interested in a nice hotel that is close to everything. I would like the "flavor of New Orleans" but I have heard negative things about staying right in the quarter, i.e., the noise & the smell.

Hi Karen, I went to New Orleans twice. The first time we stayed at the Days Inn which was away from the French Quarter. The second time,in December of 1999, we dicided to try a hotel in the French Quarter called
St AnnMarie Antoinette at 717 Conte.It was so great.Quiet,safe,conenient area to stay.Near all the restaurants and only a couple of blocks from the action. I'm definitely going back to this hotel. Hope I helped a little!
Debbie

Hi Karen,

I stayed in the Bourbon Orleans which was very nice and in the heart of everything. I did walk through the Royal Sonesta - and that actually seemed even nicer (a lot of $ I think though), and is one block down from Bourbon I believe. This is a plus, because although at the Bourbon Orleans they upgraded us to a suite, we faced Bourbon street and the noise is frightfully loud (and we're partiers ourselves). Have fun - and don't miss Cafe Du Monde coffee and bagette's, and any of Emeril's restaurant. It's a cool town.

Just got back from a weekend trip staying at the Monteleone, which I believe is par with what you're asking. Nice place, great location, nice staff. The only drawback was the building to one side of the Monteleone was under major construction, seemingly at all hours. I mention this for two reasons: 1) Monteleone would be a good option notwithstanding, and 2) My parents visited me on the beach and stayed in a high-rise condo with construction nearby. It might seem like a strange thing to ask, but next time I make reservations anywhere I'll be calling the front desk versus the reservation line and make sure there's not construction going on around me! Sorry to ramble on, but I hope this helps a bit.

I would go with the Soniat House over Maison de Ville unless you want to be right in the middle of things. That part of the Quarter can be noisy. Soniat House is lower into the Quarter (less bars, businesses, tourists and partiers). Some people find the lower Quarter scary b/c it can get fairly deserted after dark. I just find it peaceful.

2nd Floor balcony room at the Best Western Inn On Bourbon - can't beat the view of the action (you can participate in the fun, but you don't have to be 'stuck' in the melee). Good security too.

Just went in October and stayed at a guest house called the Royal Barracks. It was kitchy and clean and the owner is a charming storyteller. He told us where eat, what to see, introduced us to locals and gave us a lot of info and insights we would have never have gained in a regular hotel.

Is this the same Royal Barracks that used to be a gay guest house on Barracks Street near Bourbon?

Karen,
I stayed at the St Ann/Marie Antoinette in March of 2000. The rooms are small but clean, somewhat dated, as is the hotel. The location was convienent to everything we choose to do. The price was right, I believe we paid around $125 night. However, parking was extra, and not located on the property. Our room was street side, which was nice for people watching, however it did get loud at times during the night.

Bryant, it's the same guest house with new owners who cater to everyone. It's a nice place!

Any comments about The Cornstalk or The Frenchmen? My husband and I are going for 3 nights next month. First time visitors. No car. Frenchman is $69 a night. Cornstalk does not have a standard room the first night so is expensive (139) but then drops to $89 for the standard room the following 2 night. While cost is a concern, location and safety are priorities. I am also thinking of Maison Duprey (109/89). ANy thoughts?

We have been to the FQ Festival twice in the spring and have stayed at a very nice B&B on Bourbon St--La Maison Marigny. It's located at the very east edge of the FQ at Esplanade Ave. John is a very knowledgable and accomodating host and the home is beautiful. The price is right too. I think we paid about $125 per night which included continental breakfast. I enjoyed waking up to the scent of "stuff" baking downstairs. We had parking on the street in front of the house. The house has a nice front porch with rocking chairs and a beautiful back courtyard. It's a quiet neighborhood and a quick walk to the busier part of the quarter.
We will definately stay there again. You must try a hamburger at the Port'O Call which is just down the street. Delicious. They have quite an assortment of tropical drinks (to go!).
The website for the B&B is www.lamaisonmarigny.com. Good luck and enjoy your stay! Oh, if you can get into a cooking class at the New Orleans Cooking school, do it. It's lots of fun!

Carla- I remember making a mental note here a while back, after reading someone who posted with a very negative experience re the Cornstalk.

Karen: Soniat House consistently is rated among the great/romantic/small lodgings in america. If you prefer intimate, luxurious quarters, and a quiet setting (including their charming courtyard with fountain bubbling away), you cannot beat soniat house. The Sonesta, Fairmont, Bourbon Orleans, etc are all large, impersonal hotels. They may be fine places to stay - but there's a significant difference between the 'type' of lodging that they offer and someplace like Soniat House.

And that Bourbon St. Best Western that someone mentioned.....I wouldn't stay if it were free -- it is smack in the middle of the Bourbon Street drunken adolescent scene - which is also where most of the smell and noise of the Quarter is confined. Away from Bourbon Street, we always found the streets pleasant, interesting and often charming.

Don't forget to go to Acme Oyster House for a po' boy sandwich.

I loved our visit to New Orleans in Feb. 2000. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at the edge of the French Quarter. It was a nice, fairy inexpensive place to stay.
What I liked most was that we parked our car in the parking garage and walked everywhere! Yet, we were on the edge of the Quarter, just far enough away from the partying on Bourbon St. We also had a great view of the Mississippi River.
Please eat at the Top of the Dome Steakhouse. It revolves so you get a magnificent view of the city at night.
Enjoy your stay! It's a great place to visit.