New Orleans - hotel recommendations
 

My husband and I are going to New Orleans in May - I am starting to research hotels and am looking for input.

Our budget is $140/night without breakfast or $160/night with breakfast.

We would like a locally owned place rather than a chain hotel, in the French Quarter, historic building with character, a pool would be a nice bonus as would a balcony to sit out and have coffee in the morning or drinks in the afternoon, but neither of those is a requirement. Hotel, B&B, inn, or guesthouse are all fine.

In my research I have come across the following hotels which seem to fit the bill. Any comments on these are greatly appreciated as well as recommendations for other places.

* Hotel Provincial - 1024 Chartres St
* Historic French Market Hotel - 501 Rue Decatur
* Prince Conti Hotel - 830 Conti St
* Le Richelieu - 1234 Chartres St
* Hotel Villa Convento - 616 Ursulines St

Thanks :)

I've stayed at Hotel Provincial twice in the past couple of years. The rooms were fairly large, but sort of dark. Good sized bathroom. Nice pool. I like that end of the quarter, most of the places we 'hang'out at are there. That said, the entire Quarter isn't very large. It's a short stroll to the Fauberg Marigny from there as well.

I've also stayed at Hotel Provincial. Been a few years though. The bathroom was tiny, but the room was fine. Much closer to Bourbon (but still quiet).

Richelieu is a couple blocks closer to the Marigny than Provincial. It doesn't have a lot of 'street appeal' to my eye, but gets good reviews.

The French Market Hotel has gotten some scathing reviews over the years, but I've never been in there.

I don't know much about Villa Convento either.

We have stayed at the Hotel Provincial and Historic French Market Hotel. We loved the Hotel Provincial. It was nice and clean and an easy walk to everything we wanted to do. The continental breakfast is sparce. The Historic French Market Hotel was very hit and miss when we stayed. Our room was nice but we decided not to risk it again the next time we went to N.O.

Thanks.

It looks like Hotel Provincial would be a nice choice. When we were in NOLA 5 years ago, we liked the end of the FQ down river from Jackson Square best as well.

I read that the streetcar that goes along the river there and then up Canal is up and running, so on our lazy days if we don't want to walk across the quarter, we can hop on the streetcar and save a few steps.

Any other recommendations or advice?

A couple additional hotels I have put on my list of possibilities:

* Place d'Armes - 625 St. Anne
* Hotel St. Marie - 827 Toulouse St

Anyone with experience with either of these? Trip advisor reviews of the Place d'Armes look good, reviews for Hotel St. Marie are mixed.

There's another active post that mentions some of the top B&Bs. Since you mentioned that bed and breakfasts may be okay, check them out on tripadvisor.com.

I stayed at Place d'Armes in 2001. Great location by Jackson Square. We had an interior room, which could be a problem for anyone who doesn't like sleeping in the cavelike dark that I actually prefer, lol. I would stay here again. The place was nice, clean, and in the interior rooms, very quiet.

Also stayed at B&W Courtyards, a B&B in the Faubourg Marigny, in 2004. What a great place. We had the Barbados suite, a small standalone building which was perfect for three people. The hosts, Rob and Kevin, and two of the nicest people you'd want to meet, and the place is lovely and comfortable. We also liked the location; off the beaten path of the FQ, but easily within walking distance, if you enjoy getting about on foot.

Very different places, but I'd recommend either one.

Thanks everyone.

There's also the Maison Dupuy on Toulouse Street -- the fab restaurant Dominique's is in it.

What do you all think about the area where the Maison Dupuy is located? I remember Rampart being a little sketchy at night and this hotel is only a block from there.

Rampart isn't the best but I have stayed @ Maison Dupuy several times & never had a problem. In addition, Dominiques is a well kept secret for the most part. The Conti is fine, the Ste. Marie is a little unfriendly but we had a balcony room for one of the parades while we were there, so it was worth it. Otherwise, that street is pretty quiet. Place d'Armes is also OK, but we had some noise issues there as our room was right on the street. Still OK though. I've probably been to NOLA 15 times or so & for whatever reason the only hotels I've stayed in more than once is the Maison Dupuy & the Monteleone. I'll let that speak for itself.

We also looked into the Chateau at 1001 Chartres (in addition to the same ones you did). Consistent reviews on tripadvisor. We really liked it.

We've been staying at the Provincial for years and years and really enjoy it.

The hotel is made up of a number of old (historis) buildings, all of which have patio/courtyard areas.

As far as I can tell (and we've stayed in many different rooms over the years) each room is furnished differently, but all in antique style.

And the restaurant Stella!, one of the best restaurants in NO, is located there. In addition, the coffee shop/breakfast restaurant (Stanley) is also good. I had an eggs benedict po' boy there that was wonderful!

Have fun in New Orleans.

Byrd

I went to the web site for Dominiques and WOW - I am impressed. The dishes look like artwork. It is just a *little* upscale for my dining tastes though - I didn't know what some of the things on the menu were and of the things I could identify, there was nothing I would actually eat, well other than the desserts ;) I am more of a straight-forward food type of person.

I am thinking that even though the room rates are nicely in our budget, a hotel with an upscale restaurant like that is probably not our speed.

We stayed at the Villa Convento in December of 2004, and loved it. We had a balcony over Ursulines Street (second floor). No pool, and they were remodeling at the time, but the local owners couldn't have been nicer, and a week after we checked out they let us store our luggage with them for a day while we waited for a flight home, no charge. They offered coffee and croissants for breakfast, available in the lobby and you could eat it in the courtyard (or take to your balcony, I suppose). We enjoyed sitting on our balcony with drinks and watching the mule-driven cabs taking people on tours around the area and waving at us. It was a funny old building, quite clean but much character, and perfectly situated for exploring the Quarter - we walked everywhere. I would definitely consider checking them out, since I'm not sure what's up with them these days. We did like that it was a hotel and thus we could come and go as we pleased, without worrying about waking anyone. When we return, this will be our first choice of accommodation.

We have stayed at the Hotel Villa Convento many, many times (pre-Katrina) and I just booked a balcony room for February. The place has tons of character, a great location, a wonderful family that owns and runs it - I can't say enough about it.

So many good choices. I feel like I should just pick from a hat :)

We stayed at Maison Dupuy a few years ago. There was nothing wrong with the place, but it lacked the 'feel' of New Orleans that we've come to expect from the small hotels in the Quarter. Once we got out of the lobby, we could have been in any chain hotel in the country.

The last block heading to the hotel from Bourbon is pretty dark. I wouldn't walk it alone at night.

I will vehemently disagree w/Jean. There is not a lot of activity in that particular block, but Toulouse has plenty. It is almost worth staying there just for the restaurant. As in many parts of the Quarter once you stray away from Bourbon or Royal you need to be aware of your surroundings. Actually anytime in NOLA you need to be aware. I would not discount Maison Dupuy, just because of the location.

Hello! Do you mind me asking which hotel you stayed at? I am looking at hotels to stay in for the end of this month, and my list is identical to yours. Right now, the Prince Conti looks like it would be the best choice at the right price. Just wanted to see where you ended up and how it was.

Thanks!!