Our family is planning to visit New Orleans early in August. Yes we KNOW it will be HOT, we've been there several times. We are checking out hotel rates on the net. Up until now, we've always stayed at chain hotels, but noticed some really good deals at the Royal St. Charles Hotel, the Hotel Monteleone and the Iberville Suites. What suggestions does anyone have? What are they like. Our 14 year-old daughter will be with us. We are primarily interested in clean and comfortable as well as safe.

I'd like to put my vote in for Le Pavillon on Poydras Street, in the Central Business District. You will be away from the noisy French Quarter, but still close enough to walk there for fun, meals, etc.

I was shocked at how quiet the rooms were. This is a historical hotel with lots of beauty and character that the chains often lack.

Le Pavillon can be pricey, but you're going in the low-season, so you SHOULD be able to swing a deal. We went in July last summer, and got an INCREDIBLE deal there (maybe around $150/night?)

Le Pavillon does a lot of the little things right. Nice comfortable rooms, very, very comfortable beds, a nice bathroom with lots and lots of big, plush towels (not those skimpy gauze things that most hotels have).

They also do a fun, complimentary late-night snack party in the lobby each night (starting around 9 or 10p.m.) with peanut and butter jelly sandwiches, and other goodies. They also have a good 24 hour room service.

Across the street, there is a great place to have an inexpensive breakfast or lunch. It's called P&G's. It's a busy, lively place with excellent comfort food! Also, the famous "Mother's" is right down the street.


Le Pavillon has a pool on the roof of the hotel, and a hot tub up there, as well.

Thanks for the info Alex!! Isn't that Hotel a rather long walk into the Quarter?

Le Pavillon gets mixed reviews on most travel boards and I think it's WAY too far out for trips during the summer. Those extra 5-7 blocks will knock you out. Choose the Monteleone or Iberville Suites if they fit the budget.

Thanks John, I do not want to walk from Poydras to the French Quarter in 95 degree heat. Has anyone stayed at the Royal St. Charles or the Iberville Suites? Can't find any information on these two hotels and how nice they are, only found a few pictures. Nothing on them is posted!

Thanks again, any help would really be appreciated.

Jane,
I'm staying at the Monteleone in July and got a rate of $129 through Hotel Discounts.com. I've used this service before and it has always worked out.

Thanks for the info Kathy. We contacted the Monteleone, and were quoted a price of $79.00 for a preferred room, which is supposed to be one of their better rooms. Just wondered about the hotel, since it is somewhat elderly!

Hi.
I just got back from New Orleans last week, and I did happen to notice the Royal St. Charles' location. It is right across Canal Street from Dauphine.
It's called St. Charles Street on the other side of Canal, but it's basically a continuation of Dauphine which is the beginning of the French Quarter. The first stop for the St. Charles trolley is right in front of the Hotel St. Charles. That hotel looked cute from the various web-sites that I've seen depicting it.

Jane,
Yes, the Monteleone is one of the oldest hotel in the 1/4, but it had a major renovation done last year. So, I hope were not making a mistake staying there. We chose it because of the very convenient location it is in.

Kathy

Thanks for the info Kathy! We used Turbotrip before and got some really good deals, but this time they haven't come through! We may try your site!

I always recommend Le Richelieu. Great staff and location. If you're driving, it is the rare French Quarter hotel that offers FREE parking.

Two years ago I had reserved a room for $95.00 and was upgraded to a suite. Not quite so lucky last year, $125 per night and no upgrade. That was in November - In August you can probably do much better.

berry

jane,
you and your daughter will have a fabulous time in NO, i know my family and i did!( i have a 15yr. daughter, 10yr son, and 5 yr twins, boy and girl!!!) so needless to say my husband and i had our hands full. i have been stayng at the Hotel Monteleone since i was born and i am 32. it is a great place to stay, but get a suite. the regular rooms i have been told are pretty small. i am a international lawyer so i am always looking for good work facilities which the hotel provides. have a great trip!
carrie

Thanks Carrie, hope the Hotel Monteleone is a pleasant stay. It sounds as though you have enjoyed your stays with them. I just hope the rooms are nice(booked a preferred room) and the rooftop pool will help take care of the August heat!!! Thanks again. How nice is the pool??

hi again Jane
the pool is very nice and you will enjoy the cool water after a long say in the heat! if you need any more info about things to do in NO just post it! ( i know teens can be hard to please sometimes!) and now i have a question for you: have you had a particular vacation that your daughter especally enjoyed? we are always looking for new ideas.
carrie

I just saw this on another New Orleans web board. If you are interested in a bed and breakfast look at bbnola.com. It's a new site apparently and has information on many different b&b locations.

Carrie,
I know you asked Jane, but I also have a great answer for you. I have a 16 year old son and a 12 year old daughter, and last year we went to Toronto. They both loved it. If you haven't been there it makes a great family vacation spot. It reminds me of New York, but a lot cleaner and a lot safer. (I'm sure New Yorkers will disagree with me). It's a wonderful city with so much to do that both kids and adults enjoy.

Well enough said since this is the U.S. board.

Carrie, My daughter always enjoys any beach trips. We have been to Gulf Shores (nice), Destin, (very nice), Hilton Head (excellent) and all are really clean and relatively reasonable if you watch the prices. My daughter also enjoyed Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. We live near St. Louis, and she likes Grant's Farm (owned by the Busch family) which has some of the animal attractions as Busch Gardens. She was too young to appreciate Colonial Williamsburg however, and I'm not sure many kids from 11-18 really would, although I loved it!

jane,
thank you for the suggestions. we will surely look into them.
thanks
carrie