Will be in N.O. in May for 3 nights. We will be driving so parking is a consideration (safe and free?). We want to stay in the French Quarter, Where to stay...what to do...where to EAT! Help...

I would definitely recommend the Hotel W in the French Quarter. There are (2) W hotels in NO; be sure to specify the French Quarter one. It is one of the best I've stayed in. Everything is in walking distance. I've stayed at (2) other hotels that were very old (as is most hotels in FQ). Acme Oyster Co. is a fun place to eat; pretty noisy; great food!!

Parking at the W will be VERY EXPENSIVE! Budget $20-30 a day.

Omni Royal Orleans has parking but it isn't free. Its in the FQ has lovely (but small) rooms and a beautiful rooftop pool.

We ate at Irene's Italian Cuisine - very good and Bella Luna - excellent. Also Johnny's Po'Boy and Felix's Oysters.

Eating is the easy part,,,you have to go to Jockimos!! It's a completely local place that's not listed in this or any other guidebook I've ever read. However, the owner/chef is one of the best guys around, and the place is incredibly crowded on Friday and Saturday nites with students, locals and only a few tourists.....the fried green tomatoes are also spectacular! In terms of hotels, you might want to try the Hotel St. Marie, which has both parking in the hotel, as well as balconies, a pool, and a very nice restarurant....The location is great also, since its near Bourbon St., but far enuff away to have some peace and quiet....Have a great time!!

It's not the W Hotel, but Le Richelieu has free parking and is in a very safe and quiet area of the French Quarter. We enjoyed our stay there. Food? We had great meals at Mr. B's Bistro for jazz brunch on Sunday am and loved dining in the courtyard at the Napoleon House. Don't spend too much time on the tours, you can see most of the FQ on your own. But do take a tour into a cemetary, it's fascinating!

How to spell Cemetery?

cEmEtEry think of 3 EEE gravestones in a row

It's Jaques-Imo's Cafe, and it is excellent. They only take reservations for parties of 5 or more.

I'm also going to NOLA in May and it will be my first time there, but we booked a room at the Hystorical Whitney Whyndham hotel. I'm not sure about the location, but my friend, who has been there says it's a good area. We got our room on a 50/50 plan so it comes out to $81.00 per night. But the rooms seem to be equivilant to the W's. Down comforters, marble bathrooms, robes & slippers, bath & body work toilitrees plus you can sign up for the Whyndhams by request program online and you get an arrival snack and drink in your room, down or foam pillows, magazines and local newspapers and a free upgrade if any are available and everything that they put in your room is complimentary.

Annie

Ann, honey, you really need a spell checker! You're staying at the historical Wyndham Whitney

Stay at The Ritz Carlton or Maison Orleans. Eat at GW Fins, Brennan's, Bayona, Antoine's.

Ran,

I'm a little late but if you haven't booked a place yet, I would recommend Frenchmen Orleans at 519. It's not in the French Quarter but is in walking distance(not even two blocks). It's on Frenchmen Street which has been receiving a lot of press lately as being the newest "hot spot" with lots of wonderful restaurants, shops, and music halls. (Check out the April issue of Travel & Leisure.) The Frenchmen Orleans has secure parking (about $3/day) and is a very charming newly renovated building with vacation rentals. The rentals include private kitchen, bath, and jacuzzi. They share a common courtyard with pool and spa.

Some great restaurants that I would recommend are NOLAs, Praline Connection, and Petunias.

Have a good trip.