New Orleans hotel advice

Me and the college buddies (ok, few of us graduated.....) are heading to New Orleans in October. I am looking at booking rooms, but the prices seem outrageous to this low roller.

There's five of us and none of us have made it to New Orleans before. We're all mid 30's. We're planning on doing Bourbon Street, French Quarter, Harrah's and who-knows-what. Any advice on a good deal? Maybe a b&b or some such thing? Maybe staying farther away (what neighborhood?) and cabbing in to the action? We'll be there Thursday -Sunday. Any constructive advice from NO veterans is welcome.

Thanks!

 

If any of you have TR cards, try logging in and seeing what comes up. Harrah's can give you free or discounted rooms at their hotel and others in the Central Business District which convenient to the French Quarter.

 

Look into rooms at the Iberville suites. Usually they are pretty reasonable, and the location isn't bad for guys. You're still in the quarter but not in the thick of everything. You also get to use all the amenities of the Ritz Carlton. If you want to spend a little more, look into the Hotel Montelone. Even if you don't stay there, you must visit the carousel bar.
I wouldn't recommend staying outside of the CBD...if you have any places in mind you're looking I'll tell you yes or no. Even being 5 guys, its important to not get into sketchy neighborhoods, and its easy to do in NOLA.

ps- Hustler Club on Bourbon. Thank me later.

 

Have you guys thought about expanding out to Biloxi and staying at Beau Rivage or any other casino? The drive isn't bad at all, have done it a million times. I stayed at the original, pre Katrina Beau Rivage and it was very nice and price was decent, I would imagine the new one would be nicer yet

 

Look in the Warehouse district - by the Convention Center/cruise ship terminal. Since Katrina, TONS of business chain hotels have opened there and the prices can be reasonable. ~15 minute walk to French Quarter - we did it quite often (we stayed at Embassy Suites in February for a trade show at the convention center)

 

The Hilton Garden Inn in the Warehouse district had the best pricing for Mardi Gras night, and was great... worth every penny.

Walking from the Warehouse district TO the French Quarter isn't too bad. Depending on how much other walking you do, and the weather, and the occasional (constant?) glasses of milk (Hand Grenades?) you might want to take the Riverfront Streetcar back. It was only 3-4 blocks from out hotel, and dropped us off right at Cafe du Monde in the Quarter.

 

The only real drawback to the streetcars is that their timing can be unpredictable at best. I've waited a long time for one, and had it never show. That said, when they are working, they are very handy. (I used to try to take the riverfront streetcar a lot when I would come from my house to the quarter.) I wouldn't think a cab from Harrahs would be too much. The best place in town to catch one, for sure.

 

A couple of years ago I stayed in a two bedroom suite at the homewood suites on poydras street. its walking distance to most places - although not much going on right by the hotel. the suite had two bed rooms (i think they were both 2 queen beds - that may have changed) and a sleeper sofa in the lounge area between the bedrooms. would be perfect for 5 people (we had 6)

obviously its a little more expensive than a single room but it will fit everyone and you can easily save on the cabs.

check it out.

 

Stayed at the Holiday Inn ,corner of Canal and Duval

Wasnt all that expensive and right in the middle of everything. This was prior Katrina .

 

I agree with checking your rates through Total Rewards. The Harrah's hotel is the best place to stay in my opinion. Although, I have had the pleasure of getting a suite more times than not just for asking (even when Gold...last December).

We always buy a 3-day streetcar pass to use when they are convenient and at the stop...waiting for them can be a pain, but if you take it four or five times in a couple days it pays itself off. Cabs are easy to get around the CBD and are cheap. They are also used to short fares because the audience is a bunch of drunks going to/from Bourbon. October is a GREAT time to go. Humidity should be gone or low and lots of great Halloween/spirit-y things going on.

We go to NOLA at least once a year and usually (always) stay at a CET hotel...they have 11 partner hotels with lots of different "range" in experience. I like the Marriott on Canal because it meets at the intersection of Bourbon. Excellent location!

Biloxi is probably too far to stay if you want to come in and enjoy some drinks. The drive is a good 1.25 hours and while easy, can be not too safe after some drinks... If you have an extra night and can get a room at the Beau, IP, or even Grand, I would say make a day of gambling and drinking in Biloxi...fun little beach/gambling town.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions...not that I am the supreme expert but we have been enough to know a bunch.

Have a good trip!

 

I've stayed at the Sheraton on Canal St. several times for conferences and found it a great location. Easy access to the Quarter and going the other way, a short jaunt to Harrah's.

 

I too had sticker shock when I priced rooms in NOLA. Fortunately, a friend recommended Prince Conti. It's around the corner from all the action - 1/2 block from Bourbon St, comfortable (except the pillows) and affordable from $50/night.

 

Thanks for everyone's input, and keep it coming. My first instinct was Harrah's, but that was well over $200 per night, even with my TR card (should have mentioned this in the OP).

Also, we will not be driving AT all (you're welcome, New Orleans). I have read some places might have shuttles to the French Quarter maybe?

 

Only the hotels out in the burbs shuttle to the French Quarter....it's a serious pain in the rear. I really recommend trying to stay in the quarter if at all possible. Is something big in town the weekend that you are there?

 

Chateau Dupree. Saw my first swamp people in 1980s LSU mesh football jerseys getting off the single elevator.