Also looking to share hotel costs

[Jay Fest]

I have a room booked at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bourbon and Canal from Thursday Apr 26 until Tuesday May 1. With all the taxes and fees, it comes to $521, or about $104/day. I understand this is a fairly decent hotel and the location seems to me to be great, but it's more than I need, and more importantly, more than I'd like to spend. If anybody is interested in splitting this room (hopefully at least 3 of the days), please contact me at jayfest@comcast.net

OR, since I can apparently get out of this reservation until mid-April at least, if you have a room with a decent location for those days (or Thurs-Mon) that you are looking to share (and you are locked into your reservation), I could give this one up if the price and location is right. Let me know. Thanks.
Jay

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Jay, Matthew from Salt Lake here. I also have reservations at the Crowne for the 1st weekend. I will also be solo, and wouldnt mind splitting a room. I will email you with my details. Have a great fest!

[dumbtourist]

Jay, MM...did you happen to book your room on easyclick?

[Jay Fest]

Yes, I did.

[jazzjones]

I have a room booked at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bourbon and Canal from Thursday Apr 26 until Tuesday May 1. With all the taxes and fees, it comes to $521, or about $104/day. I understand this is a fairly decent hotel and the location seems to me to be great, but it's more than I need, and more importantly, more than I'd like to spend. If anybody is interested in splitting this room (hopefully at least 3 of the days), please contact me at jayfest@comcast.net

OR, since I can apparently get out of this reservation until mid-April at least, if you have a room with a decent location for those days (or Thurs-Mon) that you are looking to share (and you are locked into your reservation), I could give this one up if the price and location is right. Let me know. Thanks.
Jay

Does anyone have any direct experience with Astor Crowne? I noticed a good rate on EasyClickTravel, too, but then I read the reads on the hotel, and it sounds like a terrible place to stay.

[dumbtourist]

Yes, I did.
Reason I ask, when I went to book on Easyclick, I got so many security warnings from the browser about being switched to different sites that were not safe I bailed...wondered if you had any scam problems or identity theft problems when booking. Thanks.

[swag]

I didn't use them for Fest this year, but I have used EasyClick in the past, and never had any issues with my credit card. The hotel had my reservation, and I had no problems with the booking.

Their web technology and security may not be state of the art, but they are a real and reputable company, not a scam site.

EasyClick also has a customer service line that gets answered by humans, usually very quickly, so if you want a hotel you see there but are nervous about the web warnings, try calling them and booking via phone instead.

[jazzjones]

Does anyone have any direct experience with Astor Crowne? I noticed a good rate on EasyClickTravel, too, but then I read the reads on the hotel, and it sounds like a terrible place to stay.

meant to say that I read the REVIEWS of the hotel...

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Jazzjones, I have stayed at the Crowne on several different occasions, and I think its a fine place to stay. Great location, clean rooms and a professional staff make for a good experience. Of course, when I am in the Crescent City, I dont spend much time sitting around in my hotel, but the Crowne Plaza is a very upscale lodging choice at a reasonable price. If your are looking to step it up a notch, the Intercontinental or the Monteleone are other good options.

[BillericayDicky]

We stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza French Quarter Jan. 26. 2006 - Jan 28, 2007. We felt adventurous and booked it through BookIt.Com -- it was the "mystery hotel". It turned out to be one of the best hotels we've stayed it down there. We like to visit New Orleans at least twice a year and have stayed in many properties there. Here were the pluses, in my opinion, of this property.
1. The check-in staff were extremely courteous and helpful. We were making small talk with "Madeline" and mentioned it was our anniversary (16 years of wedded bliss), and she upgraded our room to the 4th floor (the executive floor). She didn't have to do that -- it was overly nice and much appreciated. Thank you, Madeline. There were several BIG funtions going on in the hotel that weekend and the staff we dealt with seemed to handle things in a professional manner, like a well oiled machine. I encountered no rudeness as I read about in other reviews. I was impressed.
2. The property we saw was extremely clean and well kept. It is a beautiful hotel. The elevators were spotless and worked well (that can be a problem in some hotels, can't it). There were fresh floral arrangements in the waiting areas.
3. Our room was GREAT. Upon entering, it smelled fresh and clean - no lingering odors. We had a view of Bourbon Street, but it was not too loud at night because we were on the 4th floor. The bathroom was spotless and everything worked fine. Plenty of towels. The bed was THE BEST hotel bed I've slept in -- firm, buttery soft sheets, nice blankets and comfortor, and about 7 great pillows. The tv worked fine and had a good selection of movies. There was one chair in there with an ottoman, and it was very cosy to read in. All the lights worked and were more than enough -- some hotel rooms I find are rather dark. There was a safe and internet that we did not use.
4. Our car was valet parked, and I read some reviews that complained about the parking fee. Hey, you're in NEW ORLEANS and you're going to pay to park your car in a big city. We gladly paid the fee and didn't worry about the car all weekend. We walked and took a couple of cabs when we wanted to roam. It was a snap getting our vehicle. When we checked out, we were immediately boarded onto a shuttle bus that took us to the parking garage where they parked our car. When we got to the garage, they unloaded our luggage and brought the car out in no time flat. No complaints. I guess if you've never valet parked at a big hotel before, you might not know what to expect, but I thought this was just hunky-dory (just fine.)
5. The location can't be beat. It's at the corner of Canal and Bourbon Street. What more can I say. The party is at the doorstep, literally.
I would not hesitate to stay at the Astor Crowne Plaza again, ESPECIALLY if we can get that awesome low rate we stumbled upon... I will recommend it to my friends, also.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60864-d223408-r7189171-Astor_Crowne_Plaza_French_Quarter-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Billy i felt the same way about the staff at the Crowne!!! They were so accomidating and friendly. I usually try and tell the people at the front desk about why I am visiting, or how much I like the city.... That seems to make a connection with the staff, and an upgrade is a lot more likely. After all, it dosent cost the hotel any more $$$ to put me in a nice upgraded room than a standard. I think by being enthusiastic and friendly, you can get much better service, most anyplace you go!!! By the way---Happy Anniversary, Matthew from Salt Lake

[BillericayDicky]

Matthew, Thanks for the congrats but it wasn't my anniversary, I just cut and pasted the review from the TripAdvisor web site:o

[NOLA]

Hey Matthew, glad to hear you are going to make it in for first weekend this year. Are you staying long enough to go to Instruments A Comin' (Monday night) again this year? Look forward to catching up - email me at fwillif AT entergy DOT com.

[jonnygospeltent]

Hey Matthew,
Email me if you can
Johnk115@aol.com

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now JohnnyGospel I sent you a couple of emails that have been bounced back... My address is blosch@mstar2.net let me know how your doing, and the first several Pabst blues are on me!!! Matthew

[jazzjones]

These are the reviews I saw (below) that made me think twice about booking a room there. Not looking for luxury -- just don't want to trade hard-earned $$ for a bad experience.

BELOW from Yahoo.com

Valet Service
By A Yahoo! User from Texas
01/20/07
Overall:
Service
Cleanliness
Location
Value

Last Visit:December 2006 The valet service took my vehicle for a 20+ mile joy ride. You pay over $25 a day for the service and they use your property like it belonged to them. The Hotel Manager on duty the morning we left was very helpful and got a phone number for the company that does the valet service. Problem was the phone number was not valid and the General Manager of the hotel will not return my calls. So don't look for any of your concerns to be addressed unless you're lucky enough to do it in person while you still have not settled the bill.

I WILL NOT stay there again. It's very disappointing because I love this hotel and stay there once a year with my sisters and will have to move to a hotel in Metairie or somewhere where I can park my vehicle myself.

Was this review helpful? Yes - No (Report Problem)
will never stay there again!
By A Yahoo! User
07/17/06
Overall:
Service
Cleanliness
Location
Value

Last Visit:July 2006 That was the worst shape i have ever seen a hotel! We went to a wedding in new orleans. This was where the wedding party and the family stayed and family and friends. I checked in & went to the assigned room. We walked in to the room, a/c cover off and dirty towels were in the bathroom. Our room was changed. This room had no iron, hairdryer did not work and garbages were not empty. And the most important thing the a/c was automatic sensored. needless to say it was HOT!!!!!!! there was no ice!!!!!! vending machines were broken!!!!!! I will never ever stay at the astor crowne plaza hotel again nor will i ever reccommend amyone stay at that hotel again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was this review helpful? Yes - No (Report Proble

BELOW from Hotels.com
4 of 13 Reviews
3.0
Hotel Service 3.0

Hotel Condition 2.0

Room Cleanliness 4.0

Room Comfort 4.0
Not Recommended | By Marsh in LA
Posted 11/22/06
NOT 4 star
The hotel would be, in my opinion a 2-3 star hotel. The hotel rooms are like a maze. I kept waiting for the twins from the Shining (movie) to appear. This hotel-at best was ok.

of 13 Reviews
2.0
Hotel Service 3.0

Hotel Condition 2.0

Room Cleanliness 2.0

Room Comfort 2.0
Not Recommended | By Stephanie in New Orleans
Posted 8/22/06
Needs improvement
there was no smoke detector where there was a base for it, shower curtains and accessories did not fit correctly, therefore the water was spraying onto the floor and the shower head did not work properly, we found one cricket and a couple of little roaches. Called the front desk to order a movie and the clerk could not figure out how to set the movie - that took about 3 calls between us and approx 25 mins. We waited 45 minutes for the valet to find our car and bring it to us when we checked out.

12 of 13 Reviews
1.0
Hotel Service 2.0

Hotel Condition 1.0

Room Cleanliness 2.0

Room Comfort 1.0
Not Recommended | By BusyDog in Washington, DC
Posted 5/4/06
A nightmare hotel
dirty, noisy (in and out of hotel), bed is not comfortble, the only Cafe for breakfast is very expensive and the food is terrible, the staff smile but do not help much, you have to deliver your own dry clean to the front desk and the time-window is narrow 7:00-8:30am!(very easily you will miss the pick-up from the outside venure). You pay for 4 star price and have a Motel8 service. Only good thing is the location.

[swag]

I find tripadvisor.com the most reliable for reviews, but you still have to pretend it's ice skating, and throw out the high and low scores.

[brush]

I stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza a couple of nights last year. I usually stay at the Hyatt, but it still hasn't recovered from Katrina. I broke my stay up between 3 different Hotels: Royal Orleans, Crowne Plaza, and the Intercontinental. I liked the Crowne Royal the least. The airconditioner in the room was loud, street noise was too. The bed wasn't that great, room was kind of shabby. I still need a room for the first weekend, but I figured I'll wait for the prices to drop at the last minute.

[pokerchick66]

I find tripadvisor.com the most reliable for reviews, but you still have to pretend it's ice skating, and throw out the high and low scores.

Good advice, Swag.


Jazz - This was my favorite review:

((The hotel rooms are like a maze. I kept waiting for the twins from the Shining (movie) to appear.))

ROFLMAO!

[pokerchick66]

I stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza a couple of nights last year. I usually stay at the Hyatt, but it still hasn't recovered from Katrina. I broke my stay up between 3 different Hotels: Royal Orleans, Crowne Plaza, and the Intercontinental. I liked the Crowne Royal the least. The airconditioner in the room was loud, street noise was too. The bed wasn't that great, room was kind of shabby. I still need a room for the first weekend, but I figured I'll wait for the prices to drop at the last minute.

Freudian slip. ;)

[jazzjones]

Good advice, Swag.


Jazz - This was my favorite review:

((The hotel rooms are like a maze. I kept waiting for the twins from the Shining (movie) to appear.))

ROFLMAO!

thanks, all, for the advice.
I'm probably going to wait for a while longer.

ChipChop, I liked that line, too.
speaking of Kubrick -- just saw a quite entertaining little movie called Color Me Kubrick, with the great John Malkovich as Alan Conway, the guy who impersonated the director during the last couple of years of his (Kubrick's) life. Some very funny visual/musical/screenplay references to Kubrick films, including Barry Lyndon, Clockwork Orange and 2001. Not a great flick, but worth seeing, particularly if you're a Kubrick or Malkovich fan.

[pokerchick66]

thanks, all, for the advice.
I'm probably going to wait for a while longer.

ChipChop, I liked that line, too.
speaking of Kubrick -- just saw a quite entertaining little movie called Color Me Kubrick, with the great John Malkovich as Alan Conway, the guy who impersonated the director during the last couple of years of his (Kubrick's) life. Some very funny visual/musical/screenplay references to Kubrick films, including Barry Lyndon, Clockwork Orange and 2001. Not a great flick, but worth seeing, particularly if you're a Kubrick or Malkovich fan.

Yea, I really like Malkovich. My favorite move with him in it is Dangerous Liaisons.

[jazzjones]

I think my favorite is probably Being John Malkovich, very trippy movie from Spike Jonze, with Charlie Kaufman screenplay. So ... similar sensibility to Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Miind.

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now I Have stayed at the Crowne Plaza on 3 separate occasions over the past couple of years. I have only had pleasant experiences, with both the staff and the quality of the property itself. I have found that if there is a problem, the best approach is to go down to the front desk in person (as opposed to calling from the room)--SOBER-- and ask politely to speak to the manager on duty. Attitude is key. Being confrontational rarely brings the desired results. In a city that is a Mecca for tourisim like New Orleans, the hospitality industry professionals will typically do all that they can to make your stay a positive one. Treat the staff with courtsey and it is almost always reciprocated. Above all, where ever you all end up staying for Fest, have a wonderful time!!! God Bless New Orleans!!! Matthew from Salt Lake.

[pokerchick66]

I think my favorite is probably Being John Malkovich, very trippy movie from Spike Jonze, with Charlie Kaufman screenplay. So ... similar sensibility to Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Miind.

Saw those, too. Yes, very trippy.

[mightyradgumbo]

I think my favorite is probably Being John Malkovich, very trippy movie from Spike Jonze, with Charlie Kaufman screenplay. So ... similar sensibility to Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Miind.

Great movie for sure Jazz...John Cusack fit well in that movie...he is as screwy as Malkovich if you ask me.

[Zydekitten]

I think my favorite is probably Being John Malkovich, very trippy movie from Spike Jonze, with Charlie Kaufman screenplay. So ... similar sensibility to Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Miind.
I really enjoyed that movie also - I thought all of the main actors were excellent: Cusack, Diaz and especially Malkovich. They really got on the bus and went with it!

Actually, I liked all three movies mentioned above - I like having my mind bended a bit when watching films [cue Twilight Zone theme] . . .

[Jay Fest]

Sorry to derail the derailment, but to the future deluge of applicants who want to share my room, Matthew and I have agreed in principle already and so as far as I'm concerned, this is a done deal. I'm sure I will love the place - I stayed 4 or five years at the LaSalle, so I'm sure this place will be fine compared to that.