We are going to NO for a wedding the first weekend in November and are looking for a nice upscale hotel. Wondered if anyone could give me some advice on hotel(s) they've stayed in during the last six months. The wedding is in the Garden District and the reception at the NO Country Club. Do not want to stay in the French Quarter. Thinking about the Crowne Plaza...thanks for your help.

Hey Sue. The only Crowne Plaza I can think of is in the French Quarter and is called the Astor Crowne Plaza. If you want to stay in the Garden District, I'll suggest a B&B or The Columns Hotel.

The Windsor Court is just at the edge of the French Quarter but is definitely upscale.

Windsor Court is the city's best.
I've even seen rooms on sale at luxurylink.com in recent weeks (didn't check the price though).

I would suggest booking through a local travel agent AND buying travel insurance, just in case.

Lili is now a category 4 storm and will do alot of damage, so just in case, get some insurance so if the trip is ...oh and please pardon the pun...washed out, you won't loose everything.

Hopefully the storm will not be as bad as predicted and everything will be fine for the wedding.

All that said, I stayed at the Marriott very close to the Quarter a couple of years ago and it was very good, there is also the Intercontinental closeby as well that I would stay at next trip, a friend stayed there and loved it.

Good luck.

My husband and I stayed at the International House in July. It was a very nice, upscale hotel in the Central Business District. It is about two blocks from the French Quarter. The rooms are relatively small, but still comfortable. There is a lovely bar downstairs. The young men that worked at the hotel were very nice and helpful.

Tweedy, you'll be happy to know that N.O. had very little damage during Lili. More of an inconvenience, really. We were very lucky and are counting our lucky stars now that the beautiful weather has returned!!