circumfrito

I'm staying here because the Women's Final Four is next door at the New Orleans Arena.I booked this hotel strictly out of convenience,but now wonder if I should have booked at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon. Am I really making a mistake by not staying in the French Quarter? Also, most folks will be dressed casually for this basketball tournament. Can you get into some of the nice restaurants dressed casually? Also,if my flight does not leave until 8:00 P.M. and I don't have a car.....and checkout of hotel is noon---any suggestions on what to do and carrying my luggage around? Should I rent a car for the last day?

SusanCS

The Hyatt is convenient to the arena, but not really anything else. It's at least 10 blocks to the French Quarter and though the walk is safe during the day, at night you should take a cab. I guess it depends on which place you plan on spending more time...the arena or the French Quarter.

The question about dress is a little trickier. There are lots of great restaurants in NO and many of them have very relaxed dress codes...the Acme Oyster Bar is a good example. But the so-called "nice" restaurants like Commander's Palace and Galatoire's still require jackets at dinner for men. The less fancy places like Mr. B's and the Palace Cafe are more casual, but not so casual that (in my opinion) jeans would be appropriate.

I imagine the Hyatt will have someplace you can store your luggage until you're ready to go to the airport. I would definitely NOT rent a car...they're far too much trouble in NO.

highbay

I have stayed at the Hyatt before. It was a nice walk to the French Quarter during the day time...and they also have a shuttle service that takes you to and from the French Quarter. If my memory serves me right, it runs every half hour. There is a stop near the casino, and near Jackson Square.
The hotel will allow you to check your bags, so you don't have to worry about toting them around on your last day. And as the other poster stated...do not rent a car, it is a waste of time and money.
Hope you have a great trip!

Wayne

I believe there are only three restaurants in New Orleans that require typical "coat and tie" type of dress. They are Commander's Palace at night, Galatoire's any time, and Broussard's. The latter, by the way, is worth dressing nicely if you like really excellent food---by far the best in New Orleans in my experience--and priced accordingly. There might be others, but if so I don't know about them. One or two of the top hotels might have some kind of dress code for evening meals, but not to my knowledge. For a man, jeans and a sport shirt will do just fine for 95 percent of all restaurants. If you are a man, take a sport jacket and tie just in case; then ask the restaurant about their dress code when you make your dinner reservation. I think I can also say that any place that does not accept reservations (except Galatoire's) will not have a strict dress code. Hope this helps.

Dan

I agree with Wayne re: dress codes. N.O. is generally very casual although I'd definitely wear khakis and not jeans to nicer places, even if they do allow jeans.

The Hyatt has all of the charm of a minimum security prison but is in fantastic location if you're town for a Superdome/NO Arena event. Ask for a high floor "view" room and for one away from elevators.