Just got back from New Orleans. Had to write back to fellow Fodor readers about our experience. We had reserved a room at the Bourbon Orleans several months ago, and called to confirm twice. We arrived on Saturday in the French Quarter. Upon checking in, we were informed that the hotel overbooked and we had no room. The guests before us had decided to extend their stay. Of course, we argued but to no avail. The hotel offered to put us up at a place called the Brent House. They promised us it was a hotel of the same caliber ("Quite Lovely" was their exact words) and of course they would pay for it. When we asked where it was, we were told a 15 minute CAB ride away. We were then told that all the hotels in the Quarter had no vacancy. We were also expected to pay the cab fare-we successfully negotiated for the hotel to pay that one. Being in a not great mood, we left our luggage at the hotel and wonder down for some great dinner at The Gumbo Shop. Then we headed back to get the cab to our hotel. Well, to make a long story short, the hotel was not a "house" at all; rather it was part of a hospital. It was definitely of a low caliber. But we made the best of it. The next day we returned to the Bourbon Orleans and demanded we be checked in. The front desk said we couldn't check in until 4pm. Well, we walked around and happened upon the Visitor's Center in Jackson Square. I happened to see a flyer for The Saint Louis hotel for $59 per night (about $150 less than Bourbon Orleans.) We went back to our hotel (that we still hadn't been checked into), cancelled without charge, and promptly checked into the Saint Louis. It was a pretty hotel, small, and very good for the price. So, all in all, we ended up in a great hotel but this is a warning of the Bourbon Orleans. The staff was not friendly, and we found out that there were plenty of accommodations throughout the Quarter on that Saturday (I personally think they didn't want to pay the $200 for us to stay in another Quarter hotel-the one in the hospital was $79.) Beware!!

Hi Mary. We had a similar experience with the Bourbon Orleans. Our friends who arrived earlier in the day were able to get a room but we arrived late and the rooms were oversold. They paid for a cab, sent us over to the Bienville House and paid for the room and the cab ride back. We were happy to take the free room and the hotel wasn't bad. We sucessfully checked in the next day, although they tried to increase the price of the room from what we were quoted. After a bit of arguing with the desk clerk and the manager, we were able to secure the correct price.

The Bourbon Orleans is a very nice hotel, conveniently located, although I wouldn't want a room on the Bourbon Street side of the hotel. We had a courtyard view and were perfectly happy. It's too bad that they seem to make a practice of overbooking, especially during the off season when you wouldn't expect that to happen.

Hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip!

I'm curious about the Saint Louis. My boyfriend and I are staying there this weekend. We booked in the summer and are paying $265 a night. A bit of a difference from your $59. Is it worth this much or are we going to be disappointed?

I'm curious about the Saint Louis. My boyfriend and I are staying there this weekend. We booked in the summer and are paying $265 a night. A bit of a difference from your $59. Is it worth this much or are we going to be disappointed?

Lori, is that in Canadian Dollars? If not, that seems like a whole lot of money for that hotel, especially when you reserved so far ahead. Do you have a special room like a suite, or maybe this is a special weekend in N.O.?

I would check to see if there is a cheaper rate available when you check in. If not, be sure to check the back of your room door to verify that the hotel's rack rate (the legal limit they can charge) is not less than what you pay.

No matter what, have a great time. N.O. is a magical city.

Lori, I've stayed at the St. Louis many times, though not recently - I had a client in N.O. who had a special rate ($150 as I recall, about 5 years ago) that made it very attractive. I don't believe you will be at all disappointed with the hotel, which is one of the most elegant places to stay in the Quarter. I agree with Brian that the rate you're paying seems a little high but then again I think all the rates in N.O. seem a little high. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the rate that Mary got - that's got to be one of the best deals I've ever heard of and I really don't think you can use it as a basis for comparison. The Louis XVI Restaurant in the hotel gets many votes for the best in town - it's certainly one of the fanciest and most expensive.

I would think that $265 is outrageous for one of the small hotels in the Quarter. With taxes, you're looking at almost $300 a night. Only the Windsor Court is worthy of that kind of money, no matter how busy the city happens to be.

It is $265 US. We do have what they call a petite suite so I'm hoping that makes it worth the extra money. We do have reservations at the restaurant on Sat. night so I'm happy to hear it is good. Thanks for all the advice.

Lori, please post a follow-up and let us know more about this petite suite and about your experience at all. I fully expect you will have a fab time!!!

Before moving to New Orleans, I stayed at the Bourbon Orleans a couple years ago during Jazz Fest (when the inflated prices are in effect) and paid $245 for a junior suite. Don't know if this is the same thing, but it was just a room - not much bigger than a regular room. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice room, and I think it had a small loveseat and a writing desk or something, but I know our rate was high because it was during Jazz Fest.

My update on the St. Louis Hotel: I wasn't all that impressed with our room or the service. It was a great location and maybe that is what we were paying for. It was just an average room and we didn't find the staff all that friendly or helpful. The hotel was really just a place to sleep so it didn't get in the way of our having a good time, however, I was expecting a better hotel/room from the price we paid ($265 US per night).

Lori, thanks for the follow-up. This forum would really benefit if everyone followed up on their experiences.

How was the restaurant?

We stayed at the Saint Louis Hotel last weekend and had dinner in its restaurant on Saturday night. The hotel is under construction, and the elevator is out of commission; we used the stairs to come down, but we had to use the service elevator to go up (we were on the 4th floor), and it was in an area off the kitchen that really should have been tidied up whether the public would be walking through it or not. Our room was large, but dark; the pillows need to be replaced (or at least washed). Dinner at the restaurant was quite good. Staff was good. Telephone system needs to be updated (we had 3 extensions, all with a different number; we got voice mail messages from people we didn't know.)

We've stayed at the Chateau Hotel several times (used to be called the Chateau Motor Hotel). It is a good, basic, clean, friendly place to stay. No bar or resturant, but since it is in the heart of the French Quarter there are SO many of those very nearby. There is a small courtyard with a very small "dunk" pool in it. When we stayed there last year it was about $85/night (this was in October). If you stay there ask for a Courtyard room and NOT one on the street (I always think this might be dangerous!). The staff has always been very nice, accomodating and fun! Website: chateauhotel.com

--Lu

Hi Mary, Lori. Sorry your experience in the FQ was not a good one. This is why I recommend to people that they should stay on St. Charles Ave. outside the FQ.

The rooms are cheaper, and in most cases larger. Also, the staff can't do enough for you.

The location is good. There is only so much to do in the FQ while in New Orleans, anyway.

Next time try the Maison St. Charles, Prytania Park (these are in the lower garden district); and there are other higher priced hotels farther up St. Charles toward the University.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. As a former resident I can honestly say that the city is changing more and more every year. Not always for the good, either. But I still love it there, and there are good bargains to be had and wonderful hotels outside the quarter.

Take care.