New Orleans Hotel

I've tried posting this on the US thread, but not much response....

Sailing RCL Grandeur out of New Orleans and looking for an affordable hotel. Is anyone familiar with Clarion Collection Royal St Charles located at 135 St Charles? It is one block outside the French Quarter. Rates are $54/nt so wondering if this is too good to be true for that area?

Any input greatly appreciated!

We stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza on the corner of Bourban & Canal. It was a great hotel. Loved the location. Beds very comfortable. We got a great deal for $89.00 through quikbook. I do not recall seeing the hotel that you are talking about.

I would be very careful about hotels around the French Quarter for that price. There are nice affordable hotels a few blocks away especially near the convention center and it really is not a far walk to the French Quarter or the Port. If your heart is set on the French Quarter look for affordable hotels on Royal St. George near the supreme court or those that are more than 3 stars. We happened across a deal a few years ago at the La Pavillon for 75.00 a night (it's a 200.00+/night hotel) on Travelocity.com. Good hotels usually will run you about 70.00 or more per night anything cheaper I would really look into. Try these sites, they have good information and maps of the city.

http://www.neworleansonline.com/

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http://www.nawlins.com/

When we sailed on the Grandeur out of New Orleans, we stayed at the Hilton Riverwalk. It has a trolley stop just outside the front door that takes you to the French Quarter, and Harrah's casino is right across the street. I got our room for $69. I think $54 sounds like an economy hotel, and you might be disappointede.

JMHO

You might want to check out TripAdvisor.com for reviews of the hotel. Its not gotten the best reviews lately. What I noticed while reading the reviews is that the reviews got bad after 2003. Before 2003 it got good reviews.

Here is a link.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60864-d93185-r3072715-Clarion_Collection_Garden_District_Hotel-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

I don't know what the prices are for the days you want to stay there, but I've stayed at the Holiday Inn French Quarter (on Royal St) 2 times, the Holiday Inn Chateau Lemoyne (on Rue Daupine) once and the Marriott on Canal Street once. The Holiday Inn French Quarter was nothing fancy but clean and convenient. Holiday Inn Chateau Lemoyne was a bit nicer than the HI French Quarter. And the Marriott..well...of course that was nicer yet, but it cost more, so if you are concerned about prices either of the Holiday Inns are nice.

What websites are you finding these rates at? I've tried the direct website for each of the locations mentioned and calling the hotel direct. The rates are MUCH higher than what you listed.

I too was fearful of this rate that close to the FQ that's why I posed this question. What am I missing in this picture??!!

Thanks.

Im not sure when in Feb you are traveling but Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 28, 2006 so everything the week prior and after will be pricey and hard to book. If you need the hotel during that time frame book NOW at the best cost you can as you will not find anything at a later date. If it is not during that time frame wait a couple of months and try these sites.

hotels.com

travelocity.com

expedia.com

orbitz.com

We are looking at the week before Mardi Gras so that should not be an influencing factor. I've tried the various websites you recommend so perhaps it's just too far out for any good deals. I'll try back in a few months.

Thanks for the input everyone!

We booked our hotel through RCI and stayed at the Hotel Monaco pre-cruise. It was very nice. I cannot imagine a French Quarter hotel for $54. per night. :eek: Be careful.

If I got that deal for the Royal St. Charles, I'd grab it! it's nicely located and newly refurbished 2-3 years ago. My cousin stayed there twice and was very happy with it. For that price, how could you go wrong? It won't be the Ritz, but if the rooms are nice, that's all you need.

Cathy

I just returned from a conferance in New Orleans last week so I will try to answer your question. Had friends that stayed at Royal St. Charles, they felt it was adaquate -clean but no fringes. Rated it about a 21/2 star. They paid $129 A night. However that being said it was very much within walking distance of the french quarter but a good haul to the Riverwalk ( cruise terminal) however do able but I would not want to do it with luggage. I stayed at the holiday inn on Royal Street. It was only reasonably clean and had a problem with getting the towel service available out of the 6 nights I stayed there 3 we had to call for clean towels . This was after leaving room at about 7am each morning and returning at 5pm One evening it was after 6 and our room had never been made up. Near the Riverwalk was several newer hotels I think a Hilton Gardens and a Hampton Inn also there was 1 directly across the street from the convention center that was within walking distance to cruise terminal that looked very new. I think if I was only going to see the sights and be there for 1 or 2 nights I would most likely try and stay by the Riverwalk and walk down to Burbon Street in the evening