where to stay in new orleans

driving down the day before down highway 55, should i drive all the way to new orleans and find a hotel? Or should i stay an hour or two out, is there any good towns with things to do? Any good towns, with good hotels, and fun activities.

We're booked at the Hampton down by the port. Figure we'll hit Harrahs casino, it's close and then we won't have far to port the next morning.

Oh for fun, think we might take one of the swamp boat tours.

We are staying at the Drury Inn. There is a special if you stay before your cruise you can leave your car parked there for free. Check under Ports of Call for New Orleans and you'll find lots of info.

There are several hotels down here to stay at and you'll be close to the port. Lots of things to see and do and great places to eat as well. Hope you have a great time and a fun cruise.

We are staying at the Drury Inn. There is a special if you stay before your cruise you can leave your car parked there for free. Check under Ports of Call for New Orleans and you'll find lots of info.

Does it cost $15 to park there the night you stay (yes I know free while you cruise)? Thats what it says on one of the sites.

If you are a member of Harrahs Total Rewards don't forget to check to see if you are eligible for a comped room at Harrahs or one of its partner Hotel's. The last several cruises we have taken out of NOLA we have got our hotel stay at Harrahs comped. You can also get free parking, not for the cruise but for the hotel stay-$25 value w/valet parking.

If you are a member of Harrahs Total Rewards don't forget to check to see if you are eligible for a comped room at Harrahs or one of its partner Hotel's. The last several cruises we have taken out of NOLA we have got our hotel stay at Harrahs comped. You can also get free parking, not for the cruise but for the hotel stay-$25 value w/valet parking.

Dh is a member, I haven't been there yet. Unfortunately it's not a local casino for us so we dont' get to go enough to earn points for comped rooms. We did get a really good deal on a room at the Harrahs casino in Tunica with his card. We are staying there the night before we head to NO.

If we had thought about it, we would have booked Harrahs in NO too but I already booked Hampton since that is what we normally stay in. Guess we could change it. Anyone know how nice the Harrahs is in NO? It's close to port too right?

Dh is a member, I haven't been there yet. Unfortunately it's not a local casino for us so we dont' get to go enough to earn points for comped rooms. We did get a really good deal on a room at the Harrahs casino in Tunica with his card. We are staying there the night before we head to NO.

 

If we had thought about it, we would have booked Harrahs in NO too but I already booked Hampton since that is what we normally stay in. Guess we could change it. Anyone know how nice the Harrahs is in NO? It's close to port too right?

We saw Harrah's almost at the opposite corner when we left the port by taxi, very very close to the port. I could easily walk.

I'm also doing the Drury Inn cruise special. I was told the free parking was for the duration, including the night we stay. You also get free drinks and snacks, as well as free breakfast. It was the best deal I found.

Dh is a member, I haven't been there yet. Unfortunately it's not a local casino for us so we dont' get to go enough to earn points for comped rooms. We did get a really good deal on a room at the Harrahs casino in Tunica with his card. We are staying there the night before we head to NO.

 

If we had thought about it, we would have booked Harrahs in NO too but I already booked Hampton since that is what we normally stay in. Guess we could change it. Anyone know how nice the Harrahs is in NO? It's close to port too right?

I was just at Harrah's Tunica last night... lol.

Yes, Harrah's in NO is close to the port. I am going to call today or tomorrow and see if I can get a room comp'd for our upcoming cruise in August. We are taking the train instead of driving this time. By the time we figured how much we would pay for gas, parking, etc... it was about the same so we will save the wear and tear on the car and have someone else do the driving for us!!

Dh is a member, I haven't been there yet. Unfortunately it's not a local casino for us so we dont' get to go enough to earn points for comped rooms. We did get a really good deal on a room at the Harrahs casino in Tunica with his card. We are staying there the night before we head to NO.

 

If we had thought about it, we would have booked Harrahs in NO too but I already booked Hampton since that is what we normally stay in. Guess we could change it. Anyone know how nice the Harrahs is in NO? It's close to port too right?

Harrah's in Nola is very nice. Hilton-Riverside is always a very nice hotel & close to Harrah's, the port, Riverwalk Mall, trolley, etc.

New Orleans is agreat place to visit precruise. Lots of great food, music & drinks. Have fun.

Holiday Inn - French Quarter on Royal also offers a cruise package with parking included.

Prices in Nola vary week to week depending on what festivals, conventions or events are happening.

driving down the day before down highway 55, should i drive all the way to new orleans and find a hotel? Or should i stay an hour or two out, is there any good towns with things to do? Any good towns, with good hotels, and fun activities.

I would suggest staying in New Orleans in The French Quarter. If you stay in New Orleans a reservation would be wise.

MexicoBob

Definitely make a reservation... Chances are you'll get there and have nowhere to stay if you don't... If you've never stayed in NO I suggest staying somewhere close to the quarter, close to the pier and you can sight see.

We just signed up for a cruise in a couple of weeks out of New Orleans and thought I would share some info with you

Parking at the Cruise Terminal is $14 per day and they charge for 6 days on a 5 day cruise. $84

Parking at a local cruise parking place is $12 per day. $60

http://www.nocruiseshipparking.com

Here is a link the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau on Hotels in the area that have special pre/post cruise promotions

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/...subsectionID/0

I zeroed in on the Marriott Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center and reserved a room for 4 people for $79 ($90.27 w/ tax) and we get free parking while we are on the cruise. The Hotel is about 2 blocks from the cruise terminal, 4 blocks from Harrahs, and 8 blocks from Bourbon St.

A couple of other hotels had free breakfast but that would have cost us $50 more.

I talked to the Marriott rep that is coordinating their pre-cruise package at all of the Marriott's in the area. He said they just put together this deal a couple of weeks ago and got added to the Convention and Visitors Bureau web site. They have already had a bunch of bookings. The web site said we get free parking for 5 days but the rep said we actually get free parking for 8 days. They normally charge $16/day for parking in their covered garage but we will get it for free.

Mark

I'm going to have to look at the marriott....

I could not find the 79.00 marriott. Link didn't work. Cruising on 7-11-09.

I could not find the 79.00 marriott. Link didn't work. Cruising on 7-11-09.

Sorry about the link to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau that did not work

Here is is again

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/505/sectionID/2/subsectionID/0

Here is the specific info on the Marriott that I reserved

Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center

Rates from $79.00

Complimentary parking up to 5 days

Code: QZR

I was able to go to the Marriott web page and enter the "QZR" code in my reservation and it gave me the right price. The Marriott rep, Matthew Whipple (504-679-6537) told me that we actually get 8 days of free parking

Mark

anyone stayed at the holiday inn superdome do they have a free shuttle.....

Do any of those hotels have a free shuttle to the port, or do you need to take a taxi?

I booked Drury Inn in New Orleans today for 2 rooms at $109.99 ea

Did I get a good deal . How far is the port .can I walk the it. How is the

Drury inn .Is the pool cool on the roof.

We stayed at the Drury before our April cruise and thought it was SUPER!! The location is technically walkable to the port, but a cab was only $14 for the two of us. With the hassle of luggage and the lenght of the walk, I'd recommend a cab. Some in our group did drive to the port, drop off their wives and luggage, drove back to the Drury and parked, then walked back to the port. They said that this worked for them.

As for the hotel itself, it is beautiful. The roof top pool is ok, but the morning breakfast and evening drinks in the lobby were great. The French Quarter is an easy walk away, don't miss it. We loved the Drury, and when we go back we will be sure to stay there again.

Some in our group did drive to the port, drop off their wives and luggage, drove back to the Drury and parked, then walked back to the port. They said that this worked for them.

I like that idea! It's very similar to what we did at Port Canaveral years ago with the rental car. DH dropped kiddos, me and luggage off to get in line. Then he returned rental car, took cab over and caught up to us about the time we were checking in.

I booked Drury Inn in New Orleans today for 2 rooms at $109.99 ea

Did I get a good deal . How far is the port .can I walk the it. How is the

Drury inn .Is the pool cool on the roof.

You got a better deal than me.:( :) I got a room for $120.00. It really depends on what time of the year you go. Hotel prices in NOLA fluctuate all the time. Port is only a few blocks but in NOLA a few blocks is a good distance. I would take a cab. Drury is a great hotel. Friendly people, clean rooms and a great free hot breakfast. It's also near all the tourist stuff. As far as the pool, I never used it but it did look nice.:)

I booked Drury Inn in New Orleans today for 2 rooms at $109.99 ea

Did I get a good deal . How far is the port .can I walk the it. How is the

Drury inn .Is the pool cool on the roof.

If you are happy with the price, I'd say it's a good deal. We got it for $99 a night in March, but prices may have gone up since then. The port is a decent walk away. You could walk it, but I would suggest taking a cab for the way there at least. Our group decided to walk back when we debarked. It wasn't a bad walk, but when you have luggage it could be a hassle. We were happy with our room and the snacks/cocktails in the afternoon and evening. The pool looked nice, but we were unable to enjoy it b/c it rained the whole two days we were there. If you are wanting to use the exercise facility, be forewarned that there's a stationary bike and two treadmills (one significantly older than the other). The walk to Bourbon St. isn't bad and you should have a great time. Don't forget to check out Mother's for some awesome po'boys.

I am booked at the Drury for $109 plus $15 to park for the entire stay. At first, I thought this was pretty good, but then I found that the Courtyard is $79 (90 w/ tax) and has free parking. I was going to cancel the Drury and reserve the Courtyard ($50 will buy several DOD's) BUT the Courtyard website states "parking is limited". I called the Courtyard and she said that the parking was a first come first serve deal. that makes me very nervous that I would not get the benefit of the free parking. Has anyone stayed at the Courtyard and what really is the parking situation there? Should I just bite the bullet and stay at Drury so I don't have to worry about it?

I appreciate your opinions!

Michele