I have narrowed down my hotel choice to either "The International House" or the
"W Hotel" in the French Quarter on Chartres. Does anyone have any information on either? One concern I have is they might be too trendy/pretentious? I've been on both websites and found both to be attractive hotels. Their rates were also fairly competitive (159/night range). Any help in sorting this out would be much appreciated. Thank you soooooo much.

Both are trendy and pretentious. Given that fact, the W is in a better location as Int'l House is not in the Quarter. The W used to be a motel called the De La Poste but apparently they have done LOTS of renovations.

Trendy and pretentious? As I recall, the report I got on the W hotel was that it looked like it had been furnished at the Pottery Barn...that's hardly flattering, much less pretentious.

Actually, there are two W hotels - one in the Quarter and one in the CBD. I've been to the one in the CBD to enjoy their bar and I have also been to Loa, the bar at the International House, a few times. They are all trendy hotels that seem out of place in New Orleans, but then again, maybe for some people that is a nice change of pace.

I like the International House decor-wise and the rooms are pretty nice, although it has zero New Orleans charm. It's more of a Manhattan-style boutique hotel. I'm not a fan of the entire "W" concept so I won't comment on that one.