Hotel parking in French Quarter
 

Hello! My family is considering a vacation to New Orleans next month, so I have been doing exhaustive hotel research the past few days. I had it narrowed down somewhat, but now my father (the old grump) is refusing to stay anywhere that has valet parking because he doesn't like not being in control of the car at all times. He doesn't like having to have someone else get it and park it every time he wants to go somewhere. I've tried to find information online about possible public parking garages in the area we can use as alternates to the hotel's valet, but there's nothing.

We did find a few places with self parking, but frankly, they all look inferior to me from the others I'd been picking out. One, Le Richelieu, offers free parking, but on closer inspection, I'm not sure the hotel looks that great.

Ultimately, I'd love to stay somewhere that has a history, maybe even haunted (but that's not a deal-breaker). The hotels I'd previously tagged were the Hotel Monteleone, Place d'Armes, Le Pavillion, Royal Sonesta and Dauphine Orleans (though some reviews about bad security have me nervous on that one). Unfortunately, all of those hotels, except possibly Le Pavillion and Royal Sonesta, use valet parking. The non-valet hotels we're looking at are the French Quarter Landmark (Best Western) and French Quarter Suites. To be honest, neither of them do much for me.

Anyone have any advice? Is there alternate parking to be found if you don't want to use your hotel's valet? Public garages within walking distance? Or is this just a fact of life in the French Quarter? Opinions on the hotels I mentioned, especially Le Richelieu?

Thanks in advance!

stayed at the Dauphine Orleans several years ago...had a cool lift that raised the car up to the parking levels. maybe that would keep him amused enough to let a valet park the car....ok, probably not.

We love staying at Royal Sonesta. I would give them a call and ask if you can park your own car in their garage. We usually just take cabs, but they often drop us off below the hotel and I'm pretty sure there is a garage down there. If they tell you it is totally valet, you might ask to speak to the manager. I'm sure they need the business and they might be willing to accomodate your needs. It is a really great hotel and the location can't be beat! We'll be there in July ourselves!!

Alli, Try to persuade your father to use the hotel's garage. We have stayed at the Monteleone numerous times and we were very satisfied with their care of our car. I would much rather have the hotel park our car then to leave it in a public garage during our stay. We usually hand the car over and don't move it for days. We enjoy walking through the Quarter, along the river, and in the Garden District. The Monteleone is a wonderful hotel with history. Great location, beautiful lobby, quiet rooms, relaxing rooftop pool, friendly and efficient staff (including the garage guys), and a unique lobby "Carousel" bar.
Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks for your advice so far. The Monteleone and Royal Sonesta are my two top picks at the moment, so I really hope we can work out the parking thing.

My father's biggest issue with it, and it sounds really awful to say, is tipping. He doesn't mind tipping people for a service he asked for, but he has issues with being "forced" to do it, especially on top of the already-steep daily parking fees. Personally, I'm fine with valet. I've done it in LA and while it's a little annoying to always have to wait for someone to get your car, I understand the need for it in an area where parking is so hard to find. And it will actually be my car we're taking, and I'm not worried about valets harming it or anything like that.

I'll work on him, see if I can wear him down. :)

A question about the Monteleone, since some of you have stayed there: I read that some of the rooms are really small. Is that true? I found a deal on Orbitz that claims to be a free upgrade to a deluxe double double, with much lower prices than the Monteleone site itself shows. (An average night of $91.50 as opposed to nearly $150)

Perhaps your dad will be willing to compromise on the valet thing if he understands how little you will actually need the car while in New Orleans? Maybe he is anticipating needed to tip daily (or more often) to get the car. That CAN add up, so I can't totally fault him for his position. Realistically though, any place you go in the french quarter you can walk - and should walk because the streets are narrow with bunches of pedestrians and it is really best seen on foot anyway. For the Garden District, you can walk to the steet car and take it and then walk once you get there. You will really only want the car for when you go further out.

Um, are you all remembering that the hurricane just hit new orleans?? We stayed in the Hampton Inn last weekend (on Carondelet, near Le Pav) and it was very nice. However, you will need your car. I wouldn't walk ANYwhere in the Quarter right now. It is lawless. (This, from a girl who once tromped the Quarter without a second thought in college.) Heck, they just pulled in the National Guard. Also the streetcar is not working into the Garden District. The trip is worth taking but it is not the same New Orleans. You will need your car, and everything is hit-or-miss as to what is functional and what is not. Have fun!

bamakelly-

Your post is ridiculous. New Orleans isn't "lawless." The Nat'l Guard was brought in because certain previously bad neighborhoods that were devastated during the hurricane have been experiencing looting.

You really should think before posting comments like that which can dissuade others from going.

mah, I wish my post was ridiculous. my sister lives there (on Dauphine, in the Quarter). The National Guard was in fact brought in on Monday because there were 5 murders there Saturday mid-morning and a stabbing over a beer on Sunday evening. "Lawless" is the word the mayor used when he asked the National Guard to come help enforce the laws there. Look it up. It was all over the AP wire on Monday and Tuesday. I wish I were kidding.

I did not, however, mean to discourage anyone from going there. It is still worth the trip. But I would feel remiss if I did not warn others to be MUCH more careful now than was previously necessary. The city just isn't the same. It's still fun. Just not the same place it used to be.

bamakelly, your post is indeed idiotic. The French Quarter remains one of the safest areas of New Orleans. The rising crime rate that casued the mayor to request the National Guard presence is mainly due to drug gangs trying to get back into Central City.

I was in the Quarter YESTERDAY and TODAY with my kids, my mom and dad, and in-laws. Hardly a lawless group. The worst we saw was a panhandler. I did see lots of librarians (big convention this weekend) having a great and SAFE time.

Dan:

Thank you!!

My apologies, then. When we were there last weekend it did NOT have that feel. I know my sister has said the same. It made me incredibly sad.

Our hotel was nice (especially for a Hampton Inn!) and once we were inside businesses and restaurants it was fine. It was just on the street that it seemed very unsafe.

My post was meant to point out that New Orleans is NOT the same after the hurricane, and suggestions like "walk everywhere" and "take the streetcar to the Garden District" might need a second thought.

Of course my post was my opinion (sure is hard to find much respect for those here), and in that I also said the trip was worth taking. SOrry if I offended anyone.

bamakelly - You said you wouldn't walk anywhere in the FQ right now, right? So you would recommend anyone visiting and staying in the FQ drive everywhere? From Bourbon St to Jackson Square? You have a right to your opinion but that is downright ridiculous. If your opinions are going to discourage people from visiting a wonderful city that is in desperate need of tourist dollars, perhaps they are best kept to yourself.

The National Guard was indeed brought in, but not to the French Quarter, as someone else already stated. Those murders that occurred were also not in the French Quarter and unfortunately areas outside the French Quarter in the city have never been considered particularly safe. Try to keep your comments relevant to area being discussed.

I suppose I will get flamed, but I have little tolerance for this sort of slander. I will be in New Orleans (staying in the FQ and walking everywhere) in a couple of weeks and will happily post my feedback when I return (assuming I do return and am not mugged in broad daylight as I walk to Cafe du Monde)!

Snowrooster-

I am going to disregard the previous poster's comments for what they are (ill informed). I just wanted to give you a quick update in case you're still considering where to eat on your upcoming trip.

DH and I went to Bayona last night. The last time we were there was pre-Katrina, and we were wondering if it would be as good. We probably shouldn't have worried.

It was fabulous and I can honestly recommend it. Everything from the salads (DH had the caesar, I had the Bayona) to the entrees (DH had the rabbit, I had the peppered lamb loin), to the desserts (we shared dark chocolate ganache cake with strawberries and passionfruit sorbet)was phenomenal. The wait staff was flawless, and we had a wonderful night.

mah1980 - Thanks so much for the report on your dinner. I had actually visited the website for Bayona the last time I posted regarding my options and was sold immediately!! I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful meal - that only helps to confirm my decision. Looks like our dinners will be: Emeril's, Gumbo Shop, JacquesImo's, and Bayona. Is Bayona in the FQ? Just wondering if we can walk from Royal Sonesta or if it is too far. Thanks again!!

I thought I heard that the St Charles streetcar was up and running again. If it isn't, sorry about the bad advice on that score. You'll need the car for that then. I'd still walk all around the FQ though. The idea of driving in the FQ is ridiculous.

Snowrooster, Yes, Bayona is in the FQ @ 430 Dauphine, between St. Louis & Conti. Had two delicious meals there in April & planning to revisit in August. Enjoy!

Alli, Don't listen to bamakelly! As all the other previous informed posters have stated & agreed...You do not need a car to get around the FQ!
As far as the Monteleone's room sizes, we've usually stayed in their superior rooms which have either a king or two double beds. The space was adequate & didn't feel cramped.

As Phil mentioned, Bayona is in the FQ. Lovely location. It sounds like you'll have some great meals.

A couple of things to mention. I don't know what dates you'll be in town, but every Wednesday there is a really fun, free concert in Lafayette Square in the CBD. It's always going on as I'm leaving work. I've copied and pasted some info from Nola.com:

Wednesdays at the Square Lafayette Square, St. Charles Avenue across from Gallier Hall. Sonny Landreth and the Robert Fortune Band perform, 5-7:30. The event also includes food from local restaurants, an artist's village and a children's area. Free. Call 585-1500.

I don't know when you're planning on going to Emeril's, but on Thursdays and Fridays, La Cote Brasserie has a really good happy hour from I think 4-7. La Cote is also on Tchoupitoulas and just a couple blocks up from Emeril's. This past week they had $2 champagne, and the week before I think it was $2 margaritas. La Cote is a great restaurant and is really nice on the inside, and would be good for a couple of drinks before your reservation at Emeril's.

I hope you have a great time!

Allison: Call the congierge at the Monteleone and ask her about the parking. Explain your father's reluctance. She's a wonder and I know she'll find a solution.
Yes, they did have some small rooms, but the whole hotel has been refurbished over the past few years, and if you can get the price you mention, go for it. But you might want to check with the hotel and see the exact configuration of the room. They have doubles, jr. suites and suites. The jr. suites have a separate living room, but the bedroom is pretty small. The master bath is huge and there is another bath off the living room.

V.

From what I understand, the National Guard is going to be kept out of the tourist areas (for PR purposes probably) but used elsewhere in the city in order to free up state troopers to patrol the Quarter. To imply that the mayor and governor has called in extra manpower for the city but "all is well" or the same as pre-Katrina in the tourist districts seems a bit ostrich-like to me.

If bamakelly feels like she would prefer to drive in tourist areas rather than walk - well, I value that opinion. Most of us make similar decisions when we travel in urban districts.

NO is coming back - but there are still serious issues.

Here's an interesting article -
dated 6/20
entitled National Guard Ordered to New Orleans

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/...ap2826305.html

OK, if I can boil down some of the advise given on this thread, I get the impression that safety is an issue, but that walking in a group around the FQ is becoming as nice an activity as it has always been. However, if safety is an issue, then the last thing I would want to do in New Orleans is to risk my car in a public parking garage. For God Sakes, how is tipping a valet a "forced" tip, any more than contemplating eating at Emeril's and leaving with anyhting less than $20 worth of tip? The small tip to the valet guys for the piece of mind it will bring is an excellent value. Believe me, as much as I love NO, I do know of people who had to leave the town with fewer car parts than they entered it, and when they realized they were victimized, they didn't exactly smile, and say, "Well, Look how much money I just saved on Valet tipping!"
I, too, have to deal with a stubborn, opiionated Dad, and I may becoming more like him than I'd care to admit. Sell the Valet idea to him as a safety precaution. The good advise above about discussing this with the hotel management should confirm this perspective. Good Luck.

Yes, my father is extremely stubborn, especially on the valet issue. He has a real problem giving up control of the car like that. He doesn't like strangers driving it (even though it's going to be my car we're bringing) and hates the idea of someone else having a key to it. I'm trying to change his mind, but like I said, stubborn. The tipping isn't even the issue really anymore, it's the valet itself. So we're looking at hotels with free (rare) or self-parking, but that limits us a great deal.

Also, we now need a hotel with queen or bigger beds, because doubles are too small for him and my mother to share. So that cuts out a LOT of the places I was originally looking at, unless we want to pay double what we were planning to get a suite. It's frustrating, to say the least. I'm starting to think I should just forget it and go on my own some other time!

I've stayed at Le Richelieu twice and liked it just fine. It depends on your expectations. Yes, the carpet was a little worn but the room was always spotless (even if the furniture wasn't brand new). It is still charming, has the friendliest bartentender in New Orleans and is in one on the most charming areas of the French Quarter.

AllisonPJ,
My husband and I have stayed at both Le Richelieu and Monteleone. Not for sure when you are going but Le Richilieu and the Monteleone are both nice hotels and they both have King size beds. Monteleone has a nicer lobby with a nice carousel lounge. But if your father is stuck on the parking thing Le Richelieu is definitely a good hotel.

Just got into New Orleans this past weekend - first time in a year. Haven't hit the FQ with the kids yet (if I do it before DH gets here - he'll kill me!). But, I would follow the same rules now that I have always followed....safety in numbers, stay off back streets, stick to the main (touristy) areas, if you don't know where a street goes...don't go down it. In short - put on your "street smart" hat!

Haven't even been uptown, but my mother says the St. Charles streetcar is not running yet. However, I think taking a cab(s) uptown would be easier than getting the car out, navigating the streets, and then trying to park.

Drove around Lakeview yesterday. I lived there for many years and the damage is just incredible. I was in tears as my mother drove. We spotted lots of National Guard troops. Lakeview and the 9th Ward are the main areas they have been posted - and I'm grate for their service. The residents who are trying to rebuild desperately need the added protection.

snowrooster....different thread...but I went to St. Martin's..just down the road from Kehoe-France.

Grcxx3 - Keep us posted as you venture out more! I know I'm going to cry too - I'm thinking the cab ride from the airport is going to be a bit emotional. Is Lakeview the area around Lake Ponchetrain? My parents use to take us to the park there and we would sit on the edge and fish (well, try to fish!).

Lakeview is indeed the area around Lake Pontchartrain. Interestingly, the big beautiful homes along the lake did not flood. Once you get to Robert E. Lee, just a few blocks from the lake, there is a noticeable dip in the elevation and those houses took several feet of water! Very surreal to see unflooded across the street from devastated ones.

As others have said, the French Quarter and Uptown (and a few others) survived with no flood damage and some minor wind issues. Most businesses are open.

I heard today that the St. Charles streetcar will be back in October, 2007.

Try the Provincial (Chartres St)it is my favorite abnd the parking lot is very easy.
Alain (Paris, France)

Does anyone know how the garden district is recovering? Aside from the fact that the St. Charles St. car is not running? Are the tours of that area running?

I came across a Houston Chronicle article about where the Natl. Guard troops are on patrol- it doesn't sound at all like it is the Quarter, it says it is in uninhabited parts of the city 9th Ward, Gentilly, eastern city, so that the NOPD can intensify their presence in Central City.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4001348.html

Don't shoot me, this is just what the news is reporting.

The link I posted a couple of days ago said the same thing. The police department is depleted. The mayor is okay with letting the state troopers patrol the FQ because they are "local". He doesn't want the National Guard in the tourist areas. So, the Guard and state troopers are rolling into NO to provide stability. NOPD and troopers will be seen in tourist areas. The National Guard will be outside the tourist areas.

I live in the Garden District. The area looks great with plenty of people. The bus is running on St. Charles and there are tours in the neighborhood. Magazine St shops and restaurants are open. It's worth the visit.

uptowngirl, that is GREAT to hear!

Wow....I didn't proofread my post! Don't know what the little weird smiley face is about and in the 2nd to last paragraph.....should read "grateFUL for their service."