Hello, everyone,
I am brand new here, and I have really been enjoying the advice I have found!

I was hoping maybe some of you could help me. We are planning my honeymoon at the end of June, and we plan to go to New Orleans.

The problem is, we have two options:
1. We could rent a car and drive down there, spending some time sightseeing on the way. If we choose this way, we would probably spend two nights in Atlanta, since my fiance is very interested in the South, and has never been there. However, looking around here, I haven't seen a whole lot that sounds fantastic to do in Atlanta. Would another town in Georgia be prettier and more historic? Would South Carolina be better?

2. We could fly directly to New Orleans. The problem is, I am not sure there is enough to do in the one town to spend a whole week there. What do you all think? Are there nearby attractions we could reach without a car to give a different feel to the trip if we get bored? Or is New Orleans a city where you can easily spend a week and not get tired of it? I know that question has a lot to do with personal taste, but I have never been to NOLA, so I have no idea what it's like!

Finally, I have been quoted some great prices at a couple of hotels, including The Cotton Exchange (my first choice so far), Quality Inn & Suites Downtown French Quarter, Holiday Inn Express New Orleans, Best Western Parc St. Charles, Le Cirque, and Pelham Hotel. Does anyone have any experiences with these?

Thank you so much!

If you've never been to New Orleans, I highly recommend getting a copy of the latest Fodor's New Orleans guidebook. It will answer a LOT of your questions about hotels, what to do, where to eat, etc., and it will also give you some great ideas for things that you wouldn't have thought of on your own.

Keep in mind that a car is definitely a difficulty in New Orleans, especially in the French Quarter. There is very little parking there.

Finally, I don't mean to be snobby, but if I was on my honeymoon, I wouldn't be staying at the Quality Inn or the Holiday Inn Express! Get the best hotel you can afford and you certainly won't regret it!

Hi Wolflady,

We went to New Orleans in April (my third visit) and I love that city! I think you'll have a great time. There is lots to do in a week. Get a good travel guide like Lonely Planet and see what looks good to you. There are swamp tours and plantation tours you can arrange while you're there, and they'll take care of transportation for you, so you don't need to worry about a car. Also, be sure to catch the Charles Street Streetcar and go for a ride to the Uptown area. The French Quarter is great, and you'll have fun wandering around. I describe it as a Disneyland for adults. Mardi Gras World is a fun tour as well - just a quick ferry ride across the river. And, don't forget sampling all the great food!

My personal opinion is I would spend the time in New Orleans, although I'm sure a drive through the South would be interesting too. I am not familiar with the hotels you mention, but I would look for one in or near the French Quarter. We stayed at the Queen and Crescent this time for a real nice internet rate. It is about 2 blocks from the French Quarter and is a very nice boutique hotel - very convenient to alot of things. The previous trip I stayed at the Landmark on the outskirts of the French Quarter, which was also quite nice - more of a motel style with an interior courtyard, but very quaint.

I hope you have a marvelous time no matter what you decide to do!

1. I've never been to Georgia myself, but my husband has spent some time there. His vote would be for Savannah over Atlanta.

2. If you fly into NO, there is plenty to do to keep you busy for a week. We spent our honeymoon there and after a week we had still not seen everything we wanted to. We took a couple tours out of the city - a swmap tour and a plantation tour - both were a lot of fun. Never once did we wish we had a car. As other posters have mentioned, a car in the FQ is really a liability. And there are buses and the streetcar to get you to other points of interest. Definitely pick up some guidebooks and read up on the city. I found Frommers to be very good. Fodors was ok too, but I liked the Frommers book better.

I don't have any experience with the hotels you listed, but I have a couple general recommendations. Definitely stay in the Quarter, you will be within a few blocks of tons of things to do. Check out a map of NO and find out where the hotels are before you make your reservation. Rampart Street is the border of the FQ with the FQ lying between Rampart and the river. On the other side of Rampart (towards Lake Ponchatrain) the neighborhood gets bad. There are public housing projects and the mid-city area which is salt and peppered with nice blocks and not so nice blocks. Make sure your hotel is IN the Quarter and not on the outskirts. Many places advertise as FQ when they aren't - just something to be aware of.

As far as nice hotels vs. budget hotels - honeymoon or not, you know what your budget is and what you can afford. If you can afford a nicer hotel, then go for it, but if not, don't feel like you have to break your budget because it's your honeymoon. Your honeymoon will be special because it's your honeymoon.

A good map that I rec for NOLA and otehr big cities is "MapEasy's Guidemap to....".
http://www.mapeasy.com/

Pick them up in any bookstore.

Lists and rates (by $$$ signs) of hotels, restaurants, shopping, sites, rail/public trans, etc.
And it's waterproof in case you get caught in a NOLA gutter washer.
Kal

There is lots to do in New Orleans and as another poster mentioned, many side trips from there. I would NOT recommend a car. It is also very easy to get lost in high crime areas. I've been to NOLA many many times on business. Do not have detailed knowledge of the hotels you mentioned. There is a small chain - I'll need to get the name and post it later of hotels, several of which are on Jackson Square and all of which are reasonably priced. You mention your fiance is interested in the south. Another alternative in June would Charleston SC or Savannah Georgia...or both! There is lots of history in both of these locations, yet you can kick back since it's your honeymoon. Just another thought!

Just remembered one of them: Place de armes. Link is
http://www.placedarmes.com/index.html

I haven't stayed there, but some friends did and were satisfied with price, safety, accomodations and location.

Thank you very much for your recommendations! They are definitely appreciated. I am checking out all of the hotels you have recommended, and also took your advice to check out the distance from the French Quarter of the ones I have already priced out.

Unfortunately, a luxury hotel is just not an option on this trip, honeymoon or not. I am definitely on the lookout for excellent deals to have a great time

I agree with with others said, you don't need a car. I personally would skimp on accomodations and put that money towards dining. Some of the best restaurants are in NO and it is an experience to remember. If you guys like to just browse and putter around, shop, stop at pubs along the way, eat and people watch then you could stay in the FQ the entire week and not be bored. I've been to NO 3 times with my honey each for about 5 days and never left the FQ.
I agree that Savannah or Charleston would be great other stops for southern culture. But the drive time is pretty intense. I would save those areas for another trip.

Keep checking the hotel rates up until the last minute. They usually have great sales for summer months. Have fun and congratulations!

Wolflady26, NO is a great choice. I have been there several times, and cannot wait to get back. I have stayed at the Pelham, and it is very nice. It really has the "old New Orleans feel". If you choose to stay there, let them know it is you honeymoon, and ask for a good room - I think most are priced the same, and the rooms are drastically different (as it is a very old hotel, but very nice). as far as prices go, i remember it being reasonbable, but you should check orbitz to get a feel for the hotel prices in the area.

You will find that there is plenty to do in new orleans, and there will likly be some kind of festival going on during your trip. as it is you honeymoon, you should try to eat at least one meal at either Commander's Palace, Antoines, or Galatoire's. they are a little pricy, but those are the "Real" New Orleans resturants, and they are full of tradition. you will not be disappointed. have a great trip

As for hotels in NO. The Inn on bourbon was great!!. The noise is really bad though. As for Georgia. Atlanta is a neat city but will not be like visiting "The South". Most resaturants in ATL proper don't even have sweet tea!! I am from savannah and I highly recommend either visiting our quirky little city or visiting charleston, SC Both are great...but of course we're a little better

if you end up coming this way. post something and I will give you more details about what to do in Savannah or Charleston!!

Thank you all so much. You guys are really great, and the advice has been invaluable. I have now put Queen and Crescent and The Pelham on the top of my list of hotels, and am leaning toward flying down instead of driving, though we haven't quite decided yet

It's really nice to find such a helpful and friendly group of people to help in planning!

I left a trip report as my husband and I were down in NOLA in April. I had many of the same questions that you had. We were in NOLA from Mon - Sat and we could've spent more time.... A good place to check out hotel rates is http://www.neworleansonline.com/ I ended up finding the Embassy Suites for $89 a night which include a very good buffet breakfast as well. People say you have to stay in the French Quarter but we very happy with our location. Any other questions just let me know...

Hi wolflady26,
Don't have anything helpful to add about NOLA (planning to go for the first time in September) besides this: If you're still considering the Queen and Crescent there seems to be a really good rate on expedia.com for it ($56). I think you have to pay for the room upfront, though and I would go through the cancelation policy with a fine toothed comb. That said, if everything checks out you could have some more $$ to spend on sight seeing or food!

I live in Mobile, 2 hours from NOLA, so I could write tons and tons about it! First, I would fly into NOLA, driving around New Orleans can be a pain. There are plenty of taxis and you can also ride the street cars. If you do take a car, I agree that Savannah or Charleston would be a great way to see the south. On your way down I-10 you could detour through my area and get to see the bay and/or Gulf Shores. Beautiful beaches!
Hotels - If I were on my honeymoon, I would look into the Winsor Court, first choice. If that is out of price range, Queen and Crescent is great, La Pavillion, or in the French Quarter, Royal Sonesta or Monteleone are great too. Restaurants, tons of them! Get a guide and you can always find something good. Antoines, Galatoire's are both great so are some of the newer ones like Bayona, Emeril's, etc. You need to get sandwiches at Mother's at least one time and ask for lots of "Garbage" on top! World famous sandwiches that you will not forget. Have a wonderful trip!

If you come in June you might be surprised how affordable a nice hotel will be. Summer rates are the lowest so you may really luck out in the hotel dept. Windsor Court, Omni, Ritz Carleton etc..

I agree with the post about Ramada's Inn on Bourbon in New Orleans. Granted the rooms toward Bourbon St. are loud, but if you get a room facing the courtyard, it's pretty quiet and romantic to sit out on the balcony and sip your favorite beverage before or after investigating the city!

Thank you again! I think I am definitely going to try the Queen and Crescent, I have heard lots of good things about it, and the price is really reasonable. Under $60 a night, plus I should get a $30 off rebate for booking with hotels.com.

The advice has been great, thanks again!