Hello - I am looking for any personal accounts of the Soniat House. My husband and I are planning to spend our anniversary there in December and I've read mixed reviews in the Rants and Raves section. I also noticed that they are no longer on Conde Nast's "Gold List". Is the hotel worth the money? Is it still well-kept? Is there a specific room I should ask for? If you had a poor experience, do you have a different recommendation? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Sara, Sorry I can't give you a personal account having never been to NO, but I have also been interested in this hotel. Saw a recent (May of 2002) copy of Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report (a very picky reviewer, by the way, who is always honest in the reviews) that loved the rooms in the recently-refurbished annex that is evidently across the street from the original building. Apparently some of the rooms in the original house can be too small, and perhaps that accounts for some of the disappointing reviews in the Rants & Raves section.

Our first few stays there were great, but we had one really bad experience that made us never want to return. We reserved a suite that turned out to be an attic room with a lowered ceiling -- the ventilation was very poor, and some type of gas leaked into our room constantly that made us dizzy and sick.

When we complained, they claimed there was nothing they could do. We ended up leaving after one night, and they charged us for at least one of our remaining nights. Too bad, as this used to be our favorite spot in New Orleans.

Stayed at the Soniat House in mid July. We had a lovely room in the main section on the 2nd floor but the air conditioner broke and we were moved across the street to a suite (no extra charge) for our remaining four nights. The hotel staff were wonderful.

This is a little dated, since we were there a couple of years ago. But, I would have to say, for the money we spent, the room (in the original house) we had was pretty small. Other than that, it was a very nice place - a beautiful courtyard, great staff and on a relatively quiet side street within easy walking distance of Jackson Square.

Thanks for the replies - I am deciding now between the Soniat House and Maison de Ville. Both have good/bad reviews - but I guess you can't make all the people happy all the time? If anyone has additional feedback on either of these, I would appreciate it. I'll let you know what we ultimately decide....

Both are wonderful, Sarah. You've got two good choices and should be pleased with your pick.