Any opinions on these hotels in NO appreciated, & any other recommendations certainly welcome.

My criteria are good location - in the French Quarter, not right on Bourbon, walking distance acceptable 2) no chain hotels, looking for smaller european style hotels with some charm, balconies/courtyard, etc. 3) moderate price - preferably below $150, $150-$200 ok

This is not my fist trip to NO but first time booking a hotel of this type.

Hotels I am considering are:

Place D'Armes
Villa Convento
Cornstalk Hotel
Prince Conti
Ste. Helene
Maison Dupuy
St. Ann/Marie Antoinette
Dauphine Orleans

Any thoughts? Thanks!

In reply to your header, No, but thanks for asking.

Y'all

Other people on this board don't agree with me, but my husband and I enjoyed the Cornstalk Hotel. The room was fairly small, but it had 'character' and was clean. The bathroom was miniscule, but that didn't bother us at all. No courtyard, but a nice veranda and front patio. Small breakfast, but enough for us. Less than $150.00 a night.

I stayed at Prince Conti several years ago, but there was renovation going on at the time, so I suspect my view is sort of unfair. I was there for a meeting and had a roommate, rather than being there with my husband, so we had a room with two beds. I think the rooms with one bed that are furnished with antiques are nicer. I don't know if there is a courtyard or not.

Maison Dupuy was more expensive when we stayed there, more like $200.00. Nothing wrong with that hotel, but once you were in the elevator, you could be in any city in the country. Not a lot of New Orleans feeling. And the last block back to the hotel is pretty dark and deserted at night.

I've had friends that stayed at the Dauphine Orleans and like it,but once again in my experience it's been a bit more expensive. Someone posted here not too long ago that the Ste. Helene was awful, but I know people who stay there and love it.

Thanks Jean, your comments are very helpful!

I did read some very negative things about Cornstalk, but I thought it looked interesting nonetheless. I appreciate places with character. It's still on my list despite some other opinions I've read.

Anyone else have comments on the Cornstalk Hotel? or Ste. Helene?

I've never stayed at the Cornstalk Hotel but have heard lots of horror stories about it. The one that stands out - and it may have been a message on this board - was from a woman who'd had one of the male employees walk in on her without knocking when she wasn't completely dressed. It sounded a little like the Bates Motel! If you'd be interested in a B&B, there are two really great ones that come to mind. La Maison Marigny is on the quiet, residential end of Bourbon Street and B&W Courtyards is on Chartres in Faubourg Marigny on the edge of the French Quarter. Our current favorite hotel in the French Quarter is the Royal Sonesta, but I don't think it would fit your criteria.

We've stayed at Hotel St. Helene during Jazz Fest, and I think it will meet your criteria. The location is handy enough to Bourbon, yet it is quiet and restful. Our room overlooked the courtyard, and we had a small sitting room. We have not stayed at Hotel St. Ann/Marie Antoinette- but we took a quick look at it when the cabbie got confused and took us there instead of the Hotel St. Marie (which is also an acceptable FQ property.) I'd like to stay at Hotel St. Ann/Marie Antoinette- its fit and finish looked a little nicer than the Helene and Marie. If you can get a deal on it over these two, it would be a worthy choice. But both the Helene and Marie are fine. Our time in a hotel room in NOLA is very minimal- we usually go for the Fest, and spend the p.m. on Bourbon St. or at jazz clubs.

I stayed at the Andrew Jackson hotel..which i believe is right next to the Cornstalk Hotel. The Andrew Jackson's rooms were dated, but clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They had donuts, coffee, newspapers every morning and a nice courtyard with a fountain. The location on Royal was perfect...near some antique shops and just a block from Bourbon. I forget the exact price but it was definately under $150.