I booked a trip to NO a while ago (2 months) and I have been lookng for alternative places since the hurricane. Then I started seeing things like:

-The French Quarter didn't flood.
-The Garden District didn't flood.
-They will need all the tourism help they can get when they are up and running.

I have reservations at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon St. 12/27-30.

My wife and I would like to go to the Commander's Palace, NOLA & Brennan's.

Those of you who may know, do you think this is possible?

God bless all of you!

I was also wondering when the various places I had loved in the French Quarter would be up and running, so I googled their names and found that much is still up in the air. You might check one of the sites I tried, www.villaconvento.com, for relatively current information that they promise to update. I will be checking it myself. Apparently the businesses are able to get to the internet, so checking them individually on line may be your best bet. Good luck--I hope you will be able to make your trip and support that wonderful town.

I think the problem may be with staff in the service industry. The staff is gone and frankly may never return particularly if there is no where to live.
I do hope they let the FQ open asap as there are people living there

Just FYI: I read today on the internet that the Royal Sonesta is open right now. The owner and/or manager stayed in the place over the past 2 weeks and has kept it open for first responders, city workers/officials, news crews, etc. He was not charging some of them or charging very reduced rates (my personal opinion is that some of the news crew can pay!). He commented on how he has a VERY reduced staff right now--maybe just 2 others besides himself. The place is functional but not providing any type of "guest-services" right now. Who knows how this will change in the days and weeks to come? I have also read that the French Quarter is in relatively good shape, but I don't know how the Garden District faired.

I would think you should be fine by the end of December since the places you mentioned were not flooded (I saw one of the Brennan's on tv actually living in Brennan's right after Katrina passed through). Certainly things will not be 100%, but I would encourage you to keep your plans intact as the city will certainly be longing for tourists. We're planning a return visit in July (we were just there this July and always stay at Royal Sonesta!).