Beachfamily

We are three girlfriends meeting up in New Orleans in Nov. for a college reunion 25 years after graduating. I want to use Priceline for hotel reservations. The areas they define are: French Quarter, Central business district and Convention Center/Garden district. We want to basically hang out together (not rent a car) & do a bit of sightseeing. Would like an area with cafes/good food. Hesitant about the French Quarter - it could be noisy, rude, tacky? But we don't know. It could be charming and just the place. Any suggestions? Any risks with Priceline for New Orleans?

SusanCS

I'm not at all familiar with Priceline, but I've been going to NO for years and I think you'd be happiest staying in the French Quarter. In the other areas (CBD, convention center, Garden district) you'd have to rely on cabs or other forms of transportation, but in the French Quarter you'll be within walking distance of most tourist activities. I love the Royal Sonesta...it's on Bourbon Street in the thick of activity, but if you get a room overlooking the pool/courtyard it's quiet and nice.

djkbooks

For sure, much of the French Quarter is noisy/rude/tacky, but no matter (you're there for the atmosphere - eh?) as much is not and a block over is an entirely different world. I'd skip the Business District, but the Convention Center/Garden District would be just fine, with most hotels only steps away from the French Quarter, or a ride on the streetcar.

If you're serious about Priceline, study the list of hotels for each area (along with the reviews) for each area, along with bidding results. And, check reviews of the Priceline hotels with other online resources.

You haven't mentioned when you're going, but often you can pick your own place at similar prices with other online booking resources, even through the hotel websites directly.

For example, the Sheraton and JW Marriott on Canal Street are just fine in every way, and a very short walk from the French Quarter. And, the Holiday Inn in the French Quarter is amazingly nice with affordable rates within "the Quarter".

All in all, though, as for "risks" within the French Quarter in New Orleans, you can hardly go wrong if you stick to 4*'s or more.

Also, check Hotwire. In my experience, you'll get a better rate with Priceline, but the Hotwire hotels are better/nicer and it's well worth the difference.

abram

We stayed at the Lafitte Guest House, a 14 room B&B at the quiet end of Bourbon St and liked it very much.

Laurie

Check out www.biddingfortravel.com for information about hotels in New Orleans.
I have used priceline for a hotel in New Orleans many times and have been very pleased.

acereid

I've been to New Orleans twice on trips
that sound like yours...once 4 of us
met up but the first time we were just two women. Each time we stayed in "the Quarter" and I can't see staying anywhere else. Bourbon St is the tacky, noisy, spot and, as another poster mentioned, if you drop down a block you'll be in a whole other world.
If I were you I'd try to book somewhere on Royal St. It's quieter,
beautiful and you're near everything.
We loved never needing a car....I think
one night we took a cab up to Snug
Harbor....but mostly we just wandered
til all hours in the Quarter and never
felt bothered (so long as we stayed off
Bourbon). When you mentioned that the
"French Quarter could be charming and
just the place"---you got it!
(Sorry, I've never tried Priceline)
The 4 of us stayed at the Chateau LeMoyne which is the Holiday Inn property, I believe, and altho, it's
not on Royal(my favorite street to stay on) it was certainly clean and
safe. I was frankly, also tempted
by the Place D'Armes because its location is SO good right up from
Jackson Square and so close to Cafe
du Monde. I've never stayed there
myself but have friends who have....
who recommended getting a room which
faces the beautiful courtyards.
Good luck

ccolor

We just returned from New Orleans last Sunday and had such a good time we've already got reservations for next year. My point being - we stayed right in the Quarter on Bourbon St. and yes, it was noisy, rude and tacky but it was absolutely wonderful! The city is full of fun and you just need to look past the parts you don't like and there will be fantastic sights, sounds and food. We stayed at the Ramada Inn on Bourbon and it's fairly centrally located so a car wasn't needed - we could just walk to anywhere in the Quarter, and used cabs for the rest. Good luck and enjoy the city!

fj

I live in Baton Rouge and stay in New Orleans a lot. Personally, I like the Central Business Districe close to the River (near where the Casino is located.) It is only a few (safe) blocks walk to the French Quarter. I can see how someone who's never been to New Orleans or doesn't visit that often would prefer to stay in the French Quarter. It does have more "atmosphere" which depending on your mood and age can translate into "noisy, rude and tacky." The CBD is more upscale and contemporary (and quiet and safe.)

If you purchase your room thru Priceline you can specify the French Quarter as your first choice (assuming you know how to get additional chances by adding other areas, if you don't go to biddingfortravel.com and learn how) and specify "Convention Center - Garden District" (most of the hotels in this area are in the CBD by the river) as your second choice and as long as you request a 4* or 3* hotel you'll get a good hotel within a few blocks of the French Quarter. In other words, these two areas in 4* or 3* are no risk at all. The area that Priceline defines as the CBD is actually further away from the river and I don't like the choice of hotels in that area as much. As long as you specify a 4* or 3* hotel in this area you'll be happy with the quality of the hotel, but in the case of the Hyatt or the Radisson you're getting pretty far from the French Quarter and the River.

One of the reason's I like the CBD is that it is closer to the Garden District and convenient to the St. Charles Street Cars which go thru the Garden District. If you get tired of Bourbon Street (and I bet you will) definitely spend some time in the Garden District. If you don't mind spending a little more for your meals, check out Commander's Palace. And Have a Good Time.

Cher

I would definitely recommend staying in the French Quarter as this is the best location to be able to walk to things, especially at night (since there's safety in numbers and always people out in the Quarter.) I like staying at the Omni Royal Orleans right in the heart of the Quarter, but it's a block or two of Bourbon St ... I didn't want to be in a hotel right in the thick of things. The Omni is also well located to Jackson Square and the riverfront area, and all many great restaurants.