I am surprisng my husband with a weekend getaway. I am thinking of staying at the Ritz Carlton or the W -New Orleans...I know there is a W in the French Cuarter, but I heard that the W New Orleans was newer...
How far is Cafe du Monde from these hotels?Thanks

The Ritz Carlton is along the northern portion of the French Quarter, while Cafe du Monde is in the southern portion. I think it was about a six block walk. Has it reopened? Don't know about the W.

The Ritz reopens this week. It's far nicer than either W. All are easy walking distance to the Cafe Dumonde although the W French Quarter is the closest.

You can always walk a much shorter distance towards the river (1 or 2 blocks) and catch the riverfront street car down to the Cafe Du Monde area. It's a very enjoyable ride, and you will get to experience yet another part of New Orleans.

The Ritz is the nicest hotel in NO and one of the nicest in the South. Try out the spa.

Just flew back in from New Orleans a couple of hours ago. I cannot see how the Ritz is going to open anytime soon ! I would NOT recommend New Orleans to my worst enemy. I am from there and it made me sick to go back and see what is happening down there. It looks like you're in a war/riot zone. Even my husband who is not scared of anything was terrified. There were 5 murders there again this weekend - cops are everywhere - thousands of them but you still feel very unsafe. Check out NOLA.com. I'd wait another year before I'd go. We stayed at the JW Marriott and they kept apologizing for the condition of the hotel but we were not made aware of this before we went. Definitely do not stay on Canal Street - this is where all the mess is taking place - gangs roaming the streets or in cars speeding and blasting music. Sorry !! I hate to have to say this about my home town.

Wow Jersey Sue, I'm a little shocked to say the least about your impressions. I was in NOLA in June (stayed on Canal St) and thought everything was fine. Better than I expected actually. Sure, there's some damage, some things haven't reopened and the crowds are thinner but, overall, I see no reason not to visit. In fact, the city really needs our tourist dollars right now.

Gosh, I live in New Orleans and I walk at night in the same safe areas I walked prior to Katrina. I run around the city day in and out. I also have a daughter living and working here. I haven't experienced the fear or discomfort JerseySue experienced except during the initial days after the hurricane when we were isolated and on our own. Most of the people I've talked to are thoroughly enjoying a less crowded N.O. with the obvious abundance of police protection. I've missed the gangs roaming Canal Street, and what city doesn't have some speeding cars with music blasting?

Sorry you were so uncomfortable and had such a horrible time, JerseySue.

We later found out that the Bayou Classic game was going on ! That's what all the mess was about - they were expecting a lot of looting and problems like they had the last time the game was there. We can't understand why the city would have the game there again and spend millions on police protection instead of using the money to rebuild. We thought maybe they had the game there to brng in money but were told that it was the opposite - one person would book a hotel room and 14 would stay in it and bring sternos to cook and that's how several hotel rooms were set on fire. I guess we just got caught up in the middle of the mess.

JerseyGirl, definitely come back another time and I promise you'll have different impressions. I sadly would agree that Bayou Classic is a nightmare for New Orleans but politically they'll never get rid of it. The French Quarter was basically in "lockdown" mode so no cars could go in/out. My friends and I made the decision to go party Uptown and it was a lovely weekend.

As for murders, what can you say? Young black men killing each other over drugs in neighborhoods away from where tourists enjoy. Hopefully we can get a handle on it one day but it really doesn't impact visitors except in their "high-crime" perceptions of the city. (In fact, the FQ is statistically very safe).

ps-the Ritz Carlton definitely opens this week!

Oh, the Bayou Classic. Yes, that explains it. Thank goodness those problems are few and far between.

According to NOLA.com an 18 year old tourist was killed on Bourbon Street last night - we just felt lucky to get out alive ! When we were walking from the Riverwalk back to the JW Marriot a security guard said just don't look anyone in the eye, keep walking I have your back covered. Thanks for the comments but never again ! I'm embarrased to call New Orleans my home.

I read that article about the 18 year old tourist who was murdered in the FQ. It happened at 3 in the morning, and while the time of night or day is not an excuse for murder, the fact that something happened to someone on the street in the wee hours of the morning would not deter me from visiting a place any more than it would from living in my own neighborhood. Also, according to the article, this man was known in New Orleans, possibly a resident prior to Katrina and a fight led to the stabbing. This doesn't sound to me like the murder of your average tourist - more like something personal between some people.