My husband and I are going to New Orleans for 5 nights during the Thanksgiving week.
We are considering the following Hotels:
1) Iberville Suites
2) Fairmont
3) Omni Royal
Can you help us with our decision. We generally stay at 4 Star Hotels and look for the best prices on Expedia and other travel sites. I usually like to work out in the gym and we might use the pool. Location does not matter too much as New Orleans is not that big and we like to walk. Expedia is showing Sunday - Thurs rates of $87 for Iberville, $89 for Omni and $125 at Fairmont. Do any of these Hotels stand way out from the others? Any of these you dislike, please give pros and cons if you have experience with any of these.
Thanks,
Poogie

If you like very nice hotels you'll be disappointed with the Fairmont, and I'd bet you'll find the Omni OK but not special. I haven't stayed at the Iberville. Based on your rate list, though, I'd cross the Fairmont off the list for sure.

Are you open to other suggestions, or are you just considering those three?

You will find the Omni Royal Orleans to be far more than "OK." It's gorgeous.

The Fairmont is old and tired. The Iberville is a mixed bag with varied reviews.

I'd go with Omni.

ps - the Iberville and Omni rates are good although the Omni room may be much smaller.

I've stayed at the Royal Orleans. It was a great hotel. Very nice. Nice rooftop pool. That is a good rate for them also. I had heard about the small rooms also, before I stayed. Just ask for one of thr bigger rooms, if possible. It also has the best location of the three in my opinion. There is a HUGE college football game that weekend, though. If this is your first time to the city, you may want to choose another time to visit. (Although I have had great fun, myself, that weekend.)

Chazz

Dreamer,
I would be open for any suggestions.
Thank you

Poogie,
My husband and I went to the Windsor Court for our 20th a little over a year ago. He booked it at a discount through Expedia. It was not as low as what you've found thus far, but certainly matched your usual requirements. We had a romantic room, and the service was excellent. They also have a nice little gym and a rooftop pool, that gets excellent morning and mid-day sun. Although not in the FQ, we loved the location, and found it an easy walk to Cafe du Monde in the morning, the FQ, the trolly, and the Riverside area. Even if you do not stay there, you may like to pop in for a delightful afternoon tea, or a very elegant Sunday brunch.
By the way, we just got an email from one of our favorite restaurants in New Orleans, advertising for Thanksgiving dinner. You might want to check it out for one of your evenings:
web: http://marisolrestaurant.com
I think wherever you stay, you'll find NO a wonderful vacation! Enjoy!

Hi Poogie -

We've stayed at the Dauphine Orleans several times and been very happy. It's 1 block over from Bourbon Street - an easy walk to everywhere in the quarter. The rooms in the Audubon building are particularly nice. King size bed, spacious room & whirlpool tubs. The standard rooms are nice as well. Worth checking out.

Hello, Poogie. Our only experience with lodging in NO is the Iberville Suites. Our four night stay there was outstanding! For their fitness center, they use the Ritz which they share their building with. Charge is $10 for Iberville guests. Our suite was immaculate on arrival, and the housekeeping was first rate. We do suites because I wake early, my better half wakes late. In suite coffee service keeps us both happy. Iberville is also close to all the action in the Quarter--and a number of its great restaurants. Zydaque was just named one of the top five new restaurants in the Country by the GQ food editor, and its only two blocks down Iberville from the hotel. By this, obviously, you can surmise, I love the Iberville. Hope your trip is wonderful. NO is special in every way.

Thanks for all your suggestions:
If you had to choose between the Ritz Carlton and Omni Royal which would you choose?
Poogie

Our last trip there in Oct '03 we had a great stay at the Wyndham Canal Place. Can't recall if we got an air/hotel pkg thru Expedia/Travelocity et al but it was a good value for what we got.

The lobby started up on the 9th floor or so and had a GREAT view of the Mississippi. Good location.

Big rooms, great service, nice restaurant...and a very nice rooftop pool with a 360 degree view of NOLA.

Our first tirp to NOLA was over Tgiving weekend, '94. It was jammed packed. I think that's the weekend of the Southern Univ vs Grambling at the 'Dome.
If I would have known I would have got tics for that and the Battle of the Bands the night before.