New Orleans - Safe Accommodations
 

My boyfriend and I are looking forward to a long awaited and much anticipated trip to New Orleans. I have read over and over that for safety sake we should stay in the French Quarter. However, we would like to keep our accommodations on a low budget and the French Quarter seems pricey. I've found a nice place to stay in the Fauborg Marigny district. Doesn't seem too far from the FQ... will that be safe enough if we are walking a lot?

Let's hope that Isaac doesn't mess up NO half as bad as Katrina did..
I stayed in the Garden District pre-Katrina and rode the St. Charles streetcar east to Canal to get to the FQ. After dark, even the FQ can be a bit dicey. Stop at Cafe du Monde to get begniets.

Fauborg Marigny starts just across Esplanade from the French Quarter. It's mainly a residential area and not as gentrified or as commercial as the French Quarter as I recall. I stayed once in the part nearest Esplanade and didn't feel unsafe but I suspect it depends on which part of it you're in. I think if I didn't want to stay in the FQ my second choice would be, as Tom above says, the Garden District. And I'd stay in the busier parts anywhere at night.

The key to being safe anywhere is to be cautious but not afraid. Look people in the eyes, be aware of your surroundings. Bad things can happen anywhere to anyone so just be wary but not unfriendly or afraid. This is especially true in New Orleans and don't be to afraid to visit other parts of our lovely city, we have much more to offer then the French Quarter.

If I was a tourist in New Orleans I would rather stay in the Marginy. It's much more quiet and residential. Theirs also this hotel in the heart of the Garden District called the St. Charles Guest house that is quite inexpensive though it hasn't been updated or renovated since the 1970s.

Either way i'm sure you'll have a great time, and Issac isn't even half the storm Katrina was...lets hope....

Yes, but there are parts of New Orleans that are definitely more dicey than other parts, and while that is true in all cities, in New Orleans once [good] neighborhood runs right into the next [bad] neighborhood. (I have no idea where Fauborg-Marigny fits in the equation, but I do know walking from our restaurant in the French Quarter to our hotel in the Warehouse District was NOT the most comfortable experience).

The place I found for accommodation is amazing because they don't offer food or maid service so they can keep the rates low for tourists. I loved their web site and like in my own city, I prefer to support local business. And I suspect like most cities, you just need to side on the air of caution when it comes to safety.

We cannot WAIT to finally explore this amazing city, meet its people, eat all the food we can handle and most of all... hear the music! This trip has been a dream for a long time! Can't wait to meet you New Orleans!

The Marigny itself is pretty safe. My issue with staying there would be getting back and forth, especially if you go into the FQ for dinner or evening entertainment. However, my rule of thumb is "when in doubt, take a cab". Don't walk in dark or deserted areas. We've been to NOLA six times and only once did I feel uncomfortable and that was walking at the far end of the Quarter, just me and my husband, around 10pm. There were some less than desirable looking teens that started following us. We walked out into the street and then immediately turned up the first well-lit cross street and they kept going. I don't know that they were after us or if they just happened to fall in behind us, but I would rather appear paranoid than deal with the consequences of something unpleasant. Keep your street smarts about you and you'll be fine. Have a great trip!

I am a NOLA enthusiast but echo all the safety cautions of previous posts. If you are going to stay outside the Quarter, take a taxi if you have any discomfort with your walking route. Never walk outside the main thoroughfares and never be alone, particularly after dark.

Gambling with safety for a small savings in a high risk city like NOLA can be tragic. Take no chances.

Strongly advise that - whatever hotel you stay in - you have them clearly mark a map for you with no-go areas (some of which are immediately adjacent to the Quarter). Do NOT take these warnings lightly - and if you will be returning through deserted streets after dinner definitely take a cab.

And I believe one "errs on the side of caution" - it's making an error -nothing to do with breathing.

Look at the prices at the Dauphine Orleans.

Dauphine is $1700+ for a weeks stay. The place I'm looking at is only about $500. It's only 10-12 blocks away from the Quarter. We don't mind walking during the day and cabbing at night.

Yes, "err" - got me there!

I sure wish you would tell us the location of your choice. In my NO experience, going back to the 1970, you gets what you pay for, and 10 to 12 blocks is a really long way when it is 80 degrees F with 99% humidity at 6 AM.

I didn't mention the afternoon downpours at certain times of year.

Keep in mind if you cab every night you will eat up any savings you might have had.

cd, I was looking for an earlier post by you. What's the motel y'all use at the edge of the FQ (if I'm remembering correctly).

Hi Starrs, the first time we went we stayed at the Le Richlieu which is on the end of the Quarter, The next time we stayed in the Sheraton which is also at the edge of the Quarter, this last year we stayed at the Prince Conti, they are $90.00 per night, directly in the Quarter, old but clean.

What is the address of your hotel/lodgings? As others have said, good areas butt right up against bad ones sometimes. So if we knew exactly where this place is located, we can give you better advice.

The Lower Quarter (Jackson Sq to Esplanade) and the Marigny are great areas of New Orleans - I like them much better than the Upper Quarter and the area around Canal.

Have you looked at the Quality Inn & Suites in O'Keefe St, has good reviews on Trip Advisor.

This is the place...

http://www.creoleinn.com/Home.html

Hi Jenny- I have stayed in the Marigny a few blocks from there many times at a rental home managed by the Lions Inn. If you like local music, the Marigny triangle is filled with clubs and a fun scene (some people say it is like the FQ used to be 30 years ago- no daquiri bars, t-shirt shops, or hawkers, just really good music and a few good places to eat).

The Creole Inn is deep into the Marigny, in the quiet residential section. It is almost into the area called the Bywater. The blocks get long past the triangle, so it is walkable if you are a good walker and will give you a lovely view of shotgun victorians during the day. How safe you will feel at night will depend on your urban comfort level. My husband lived in New Orleans in his 20s and is a big bald guy, so he fears nothing. I wouldn't have walked by myself after dark but felt fine with him (although late night we take cabs). It is sort of gritty and not Disneyland at all but not an urban wasteland either.

During the day I feel perfectly safe in this 'hood and loved the quirky, down at the heels charm. You will see lots of hipster types with tattoos and pork pie hats riding fixed wheel bikes down the street with either instrument cases or yoga mats strapped to their backs. The Marigny is hipster-ish but slightly gentrified while the Bywater is more marginal, lots of artists etc.

In the Marigny, if your place has a kitchen, there is a trippy grocery store called the Mardi Gras Zone that looks like an old warehouse outside where you can get snacks, beer, etc. Inside it has a small but good selection of Whole Foods type brands plus local stuff. Near there is a guest house with a restaurant on the first floor called Schiro's. GREAT place for lunch- they have a weird combo of vegan Indian food and awesome local food.

Again, lots of tats and piercings in both places. My mom would freak but everyone is cool and there for the food. There are also a bunch of cute cafe/bakery type places in the Marigny. There is a famous old restaurant called Feelings. I think it is disappointing for the money but their frozen peanut butter pie is an earth-shaking dessert. Mimi's is a great place for local music and tapas.

The Marigny is actually a pretty sought after area for buying homes. There is a definite gay vibe. The inn you are looking at is almost to the Bywater, which is more shady but also artsy-funky, so do some Googling on the Bywater too so that you get a feel for the area. Cabs in New Orleans are all over the place, frequent and not too pricey. Lots of people cab around, so that is an easy alternative for night-time.