shaz60

I second the Provincial. Nice hotel, great area, good service and very convenient to everything.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Dori, most of the small hotels in the Quarter are just that - hotels. They don't have that B&B feel that I also dislike. I also favor the Dauphine Orleans, but like to pay less than $150/night for it.

Dan

A single female may enjoy a B&B. Personal attention and a more "secure" feeling than a large hotel.

If you stay in the "Marigny Triangle" I think you'd be fine walking as long as you don't do it really late at night (11pm +). I'd take a cab for $5 anywhere in that area.

Dori

Thank you all for your advice. I checked out a lot of these hotels and reviews on tripadvisor.com. A lot of these hotels were more than what I wanted to spend. I finally booked a place that sounds wonderful. It's called The Frenchmen. I got a super rate! The reviews on tripadvisor.com were great. Check out their website www.frenchmenhotel.com. Let me know if you have heard about it. Thanks for the help!

Dan

I think you'll like the neighborhood. The Marigny is somewhat the "hot" spot in town these days! Try the Marigny Brasserie on Royal/Frenchmen. Fab food and a nice bar. It's my wife's favorite place for cosmopolitans! Lots of adult-oriented live music up and down the street, too.

Let us know about the Frenchmen. I'm not familiar with it. Seems to have mixed reviews on tripadvisor so I'd love to hear your "first hand" comments!

Enjoy.

ellielah

I agree, that neighborhood has more of an up and coming feel to it. What's nice is you'll be near Port of Call (you HAVE to try their burger!), lots of late night music spots in the area and Esplanade is a beautiful tree-lined street. Shade is very key in NOLA, even in the fall!

One word of advice, but take it how you will, I do not know that hotel, but I know New Orleans. Personally, I would try to get a room on the 2nd floor. The first floor has the pool and probably lots of greenery and the potential for waterbugs will be higher. But, if you are cool with that, please ignore my advice.

happytourist

Having lived in NO for 8 years, take my advice and take a cab anytime at night if you are alone. It is a dangerous city and its charm can easily delude visitors.

ellielah

I have to disagree partly with that. I think if you remain in the touristy areas (read: the French Quarter) a cab is not necessary, even at 3AM. However anything surrounding it - the other side of Canal or the other side of Esplanade can be dicey at times. I have lived there and on a recent visit, walking back to our hotel in the CBD at 1AM I felt uncomfortable even with my husband there (who is no shrinking violet).

Of course, it also depends on your own personal level of street savviness. If you are timid, it will be sensed, if you are "street smart", I really don't think there is anything to worry about.

The problem is a) it's tough to catch a cab within these neighborhoods late at night - like say you are at a club over in Marigny late - you should call a cab and wait outside for it and b) sometimes the cab drivers either have no idea where you are going (and seem not to be able to read or just have really really bad vision) if you decide to leave the main tourist area as happened to us taking a cab to the amazing restaurant Brigtsen's in the Garden District or some might try to take you out of the way knowing you are a tourist for a better fare. Of course, that can happen in any city. Try to have a sense of where you are going before you get in the cab, I guess is what I'm saying.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Now, I like that neighborhood, but keep in mind that it's still "up and coming". I was torn on how to reply to a single female thinking about staying there as I really hate the idea of being scared and always expecting the worst. But then I thought to myself, would I be comfortable with my wife staying there alone? And I can only honestly answer, no.

sealady

I would suggest the Hotel Montelone. The rooms are great, the service is first class and it right around the corner from Borbon St, if you want to go there. Mr B's Bistro is a great restaurant across the street. It is a classic hotel. When the doorman sees you coming, he opens the door. The small touches are forgotten in many places but alive the hotel Montelone.

snorkelcat

I am a South Louisianian and once stayed at a very charming hotel right near Jackson square called Place D'Arms. You can get a nice single room for about $90. I stayed there several years ago and really enjoyed the ambiance.

What I remember is a hotel with a very charming courtyard and very convenient - you are steps away from Cafe Du Monde and many great locations. I stayed at the hotel as a solo female and felt safe.

By October, the weather should be cooling off and it should be a very nice time to visit. Use the same safety precautions you would use in any big city - if you stay in the populus, tourist areas you should be fine - deserted areas at night are where you are at risk, especially the cemetaries. I have traveled quite a bit and New Orleans is still one of my favorite cities. Laissez le bon ton roulez!!

JeanH

My husband and I looked at the Frenchman last time we were in New Orleans. It looks like the kind of place we could be comfortable in. That being said, I wouldn't stay there by myself. Just a little too far off the beaten path to walk to alone at night. Adn I really don't like taking cabs for just a few blocks. Jean

flypet

Check out the St. Charles Inn on St. Charles Avenue. We love it. The Columns across the street would be a good option also.

Dori

Thank you all for your advice. I'm leaving in November. October is a big convention month and made my budget hotel search even that more difficult. I have booked the Frenchmen. Also I wanted to let everyone know I appreciate the safety concern but also wanted to point out that I am a VERY experienced solo traveler. I've traveled to many places over the world by myself for the last 13 years. I also live and work in a big city. My common sense and safety radar is about as fine-tuned as anyone is going to get. I'll be just fine. Thanks for all your advice, and I'll be sure to let you know my take on the hotel when I get back. Thanks again!