new orleans help
 

Thanks to John, we are ditching reservations at the Crescent on Canal, but now need a new place to stay, pronto! We are going to New Orleans last minute and found out there is a convention there at the same time, so needless to say, all the reasonable hotels are booked. I'm curious if anyone has ever stayed accross the river from the French Quarter and used the ferry. There are some reasonable rates there at national chains with decent ratings and write-ups. Any advice would be appreciated!

We stayed across the river several years ago in some national chain (can't recall the name but it was a round building of many stories). Very spooky neighborhood. <BR> Some of the guests made the mistake of walking back to the hotel (from the ferry) & they were robbed (as they passed by some housing projects). <BR> We always stay in the quarter now (but not on Bourbon Street - too noisy et al).

P.S. <BR> Have you tried the Garden District? Safe & lovely. <BR> New Orleans always seem to be having a convention - easy to run into a roadblock when trying to book accomodations. Good luck!

As a long-time resident on N.O., I recommend not staying across the river. First try the Garden District and then Metairie if that fails. The Garden District is only a few minutes by taxi or by streetcar. Metairie is about a 20 minute drive, but is one of N.O.'s nicest suburbs and has many hotels mostly of the business variety. Have fun.

Deb, in addition to my previous e-mail, I just remebered that a couple of years ago I had to book some rooms for a friend at the last minute. The entire city appeared to be sold out. However, I was able to book a room at the Travelodge. I know it does not sound too elegant, but it was quite nice and well located, only two blocks from the Quarter. The hotel is only a few years old, the building was previously a Sears Department Store. Give that a try, the location is very good and safe.

Thanks for all your advice! We would have been in for a pretty miserable trip without this great advice.

Algiers Point is a beautiful quaint neighborhood just across the river from the downtown area/French Quarter. It's an easy ferry ride back/forth. Algiers Point is MUCH NICER than the area around the Fischer Projects are located. That round hotel is now a Quality Inn, I believe, and is indeed in a fairly icky location. <BR> <BR>In Algiers Point, you may want to look up the House of the Rising Sun B&B or Bonne Chance B&B. Both are licensed and get good reviews from guests. <BR> <BR>Have fun! I'm very happy that you're not staying at the Crescent.