First of all I have searched the posts and see that the NOLA knowledgeable are quite generous with their time. I really appreciate your graciousness!

We have our trip planned, EXCEPT for the last night. We will be travelling back from Nottoway Plantation area and leaving the next day. We need to return the rental car, so should we stay at the airport (7:30 a.m.flight) or is that anticlimatic? It looks like the FQ is not THAT far from the airport. As you can see we like to get every minute worth out of our trips!

In what type of place are you interested? Big hotel? Small B&B? Historic place? Chain? French Quarter? Garden District? Any particular price range? Please let me know if you have any specifics... I'll be glad to give you some suggestions.

I'm not familiar with the airport hotel options, but for a 7:30 flight, I'd recommend dropping off the rental car the day before, check into an airport hotel and take a cab into town for your last night out.

Meg:Actually It seemes like a waste to spend much $ on a hotel for what little time we would be there on this last day. We are open to any suggestion though.

Brian: Your idea makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks! Gail

Ordinarily, I would agree - stay at the airport. I've done it myself for an early morning flight - and I live here, so I certainly understand your point. The only problem is that the hotels around the airport aren't particularly inexpensive. Last time I checked, I think the Holiday Inn out there quoted me $119 or $129. I believe there is also a Hilton in the area - the rest of the hotels were budget places. The one at which I stayed was the Rodeway Inn for $79 or so - and I would not stay there again. It was dirty and run down. If I had not had a 5:45 a.m. flight, I would have gone back home. If you turn in your car and take a cab to town, you're looking at $48 plus tips - ($24 to/from airport/French Quarter for 2 people) - so I guess you just have to do the math yourself and see what makes the best sense. A lot depends on when you're traveling as well. If you're coming fairly soon, hotels in town will have good deals to offer. If you will be here in the fall, rates are highger. I don't really know if the airport hotel rates fluctuate with the seasons as do those in the city. The trip to the airport from town probably takes 20 minutes with no traffic which is usually the case at 6 a.m. Hope you have a great trip.