My husband & I will be in New Orleans at the end of the month. I have spent quite a bit of time on-line trying to narrow down our hotel options.
We would like to stay in someplace with some element of originality, however I have found some really great prices on a few places that would normally probably be out of our range. What about the CBD, is it "safe" to stay there? Also, Im thinking we might want a pool - being June. But that's not an absolute. I seems not as many places have them.
Here are some specific names I'd like feedback on -
Wyndym Whitney, Royal Crescent, Maison Dupuy, Queen & Crescent, International House
LeMeridien & Iberville Suites (low $$ I mentioned)
Sorry so many, but there are soo many choices. Thanks in advance for any experience you can offer.

I work in the CBD (central business district) every day. It is as safe as any major metropoliatan downtown area. Of your choices listed, I would pick Maison Dupuy, its in the Quarter but off of the Bourbon Street (not so noisy) and has a nice pool in the courtyard. Whutney Wyndham is fairly new. Its in an old renovated bank building. Don't think it has a pool unless its on the roof. It's restaurant (am blanking on the name) just got rave reviews. Le Meridien is big and has everything you need. It is in the CBD but on Canal street, just across from the Quarter. International House is only a block from Canal Street. Queen and Crescent is a couple of blocks off Canal, close to the Whitney Wyndham. Iberville Suites, would be my last choice, though not a bad one.

Iberville Suites is brand new and is getting rave reviews. It's operated by the Ritz-Carton - which, oddly enough, has not gotten reviews as good. We tried to go to NO over Memorial Day and got the $99 introductory rate for Iberville Suites but weren't able to get decent airfares. I've stayed at Maison Dupuy, LeMeridien, the Hilton, the Hyatt, Windsor Court, Royal Sonesta, and both Holiday Inns in the French Quarter, but am currently anxious to try this new place!!

Maison Dupuy does have a great pool (and hottub)in the courtyard.We stayed at Monteleone also which has a goodsized roof top pool.You might do a text search on any one you are considering as back in December when we went there were many posts about many hotel choices.

Susan, where are the reviews on the Iberville Suites coming from? I'd like to read them. I walked by the parking entrance on Iberville over Easter but did not walk in, but did walk in the Ritz Carlton (in same building), and it seemed nice but small areas for some things. I don't see how you could go wrong on the $99 rate that I've seen being offered on some dates, but more than two people might be more. There's no swimming pool but I believe you can get access to the spa, a charge I believe. It's one block from Bourbon in the Quarter and not too bad a walk to anything. Best of luck in one of our favorites cities. Cheers!

The CBD may be as safe as any other downtown area in the day, but you may not feel comfortable after dark.

The best place to stay in NO is the French Quarter. You can walk almost anywhere. I usually recommend "Le Richelieu" on Chartes. I believe it has been a Fodors Pick for quite awhile.

You didn't mention your mode of transportation, but Le Richelieu has free parking - a real rarity in the quarter.

Don't know if they have a website. Because of the time you will be there (late June) you may get a deal. It's just usually very hot and humid at that time - all summer long. You might want to try priceline.com. Just make sure you specify a 4/5 star hotel, and put in whatever price per night you're willing to pay. I'd start at about $70 per night for a good hotel in the quarter. If you don't get a positive result, up the offer a little. I don't really know how the NO hotels figure their prices at that time of year. The weather is lousy, but still people love to go to New Orleans.

In any case, have fun!

Pete - The reviews I've read have been on the AOL message board for Louisiana. If you can get access to AOL you may have to do a back search, but since Iberville Suites have only been open a few months it shouldn't be too much trouble. If you'd like to send me an email I'll forward you a few comments.