View Full Version : Hotel (money no object)
McGregor
08-17-2007, 08:41 PM
Where would you stay and why?
sophisticated sissy
08-17-2007, 08:50 PM
Boca Raton Resort. They treat you like royalty. Great beach, that is raked every morning, where they bring cocktails out to you, and towels. A water shuttle that takes you to the beach via the ICW. Lovely pool w/ cabanas. Fantastic, historical, gorgeous hotel built in the 1920s. Beautiful landscaping. Totally relaxing, a great place to hide away from the rest of the world in my own time zone.
McGregor
08-17-2007, 09:04 PM
Boca Raton Resort. They treat you like royalty. Great beach, that is raked every morning, where they bring cocktails out to you, and towels. A water shuttle that takes you to the beach via the ICW. Lovely pool w/ cabanas. Fantastic, historical, gorgeous hotel built in the 1920s. Beautiful landscaping. Totally relaxing, a great place to hide away from the rest of the world in my own time zone.
How about in New Orleans? :p
but that sounds wonderful as well!
sophisticated sissy
08-17-2007, 09:25 PM
Oh, I'm sorry, MacG.! :o Excuse me, please.
There are so many wonderful places in New Orleans... like the poet says.."let me count the ways"! I am so enamored by the "W" Hotel(s), though, in New Orleans right now that it's hard to pry me away from them. But I think this thread is a good topic because it may shed new light on different places.
As many years as I've been frequenting New Orleans, I've never stayed at The Corn Stalk Inn. I always pass by there, and say hello when I'm in town, and promise myself that the next time I will stay there. But I never have done so. I am enchanted by their fence.
dumbtourist
08-17-2007, 09:31 PM
If money is no object, how 'bout the Bradgelina Inn?
dumbtourist
08-17-2007, 09:48 PM
Where would you stay and why?
Hmmm...according to Wikipedia:
Object may refer to:
Object (philosophy) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object_%28philosophy%29), a thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing), being (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being) or concept (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept)
Physical entity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity), something that is tangible and within the grasp of the sensesSo you gotta be a little more specific...
When are you going? Why are you going? What are you planning to do while there?
I have stayed in 21 different hotels in N.O. over the last three years...all have pluses and minuses....
Planning on partying all night and want to crawl to your hotel? Stay in the FQ.
Planning on spending lots of time outside of the FQ actually seeing the N.O. area, and experiencing some great resturaunts (most of which are NOT in the FQ)...try the Garden District.
Want some of both? Try the Homewood Suites on Poydras or the Hilton Riverside...both can be gotten for a steal on some of the bid sites.
What is the purpose of the trip??? Need more info before I can make a good recommendation. ;)
festbabe
08-17-2007, 10:36 PM
Money no object?
I'd stay at the Columns Hotel in the Garden District...
We've drank an evening away in the bar, and it'd be nice to crawl up to your room.
McGregor
08-17-2007, 11:07 PM
When are you going? Why are you going? What are you planning to do while there?
Voodoo Fest and we'll be going out at night and I guess, we'd rather be around the Quarter all things considered, see as much music and eat as much food as possible. We have a friend giving us the trip as a gift.
jolie
08-17-2007, 11:26 PM
Kewl...Voodoo:
I'd go with:
The Cornstalk (small/quaint..in the heart of the FQ)
The "W" (modern/cool)... Best Linens Anywhere
The Riverside Hilton (convenient/overlooks River/restaurants/brunch)
I'm sure there are some plenty swankier, but I wouldn't know:(
steeleye
08-17-2007, 11:29 PM
I'm a fan of the Hotel Monteleone. If it is in your budget, I think that it is a great hotel. I stayed there on business on my first trip to NO 5 years ago, and I always make it a point to stop by every time I've gone back. There are certainly less expensive places to stay, but the French Quarter ambieance can't be beat. And it's haunted to boot.
Boca Raton Resort. They treat you like royalty. Great beach, that is raked every morning, where they bring cocktails out to you, and towels. A water shuttle that takes you to the beach via the ICW. Lovely pool w/ cabanas. Fantastic, historical, gorgeous hotel built in the 1920s. Beautiful landscaping. Totally relaxing, a great place to hide away from the rest of the world in my own time zone.
I know of these condos on Kauai where in the winter you can swim with giant sea turtles at the shore right outside your door in the morning, snorkel with schools of angelfish and humuhumunukunukuapuaa and morays in the afternoon, watch the whales & dolphins go by all day out your window, eat gourmet pacific rim food next door, and smoke a big stinky while watching the always awesome sunset...ahhhh the sunset!
How about in New Orleans? :p
but that sounds wonderful as well!
W's are fabulous. The honeymoon suites at the Royal Sonesta are fabulous- two stories with the livingroom opening onto the courtyard pool.
Haven't been to the Hotel de la Monnaie where Esplanade meets the river across from the Mint, but it sounds incredible and Frenchmen St. begins right there!- 4 star luxury suites with full kitchens.
PaulC
08-18-2007, 08:20 AM
Taha'a Pearl Beach Resort beach suite.... not in New Orleans but i think some of us wouldn't mind too much:
http://www.southpacificdirect.com/tahaa-pearl-beach-resort.html
oh,.. the rooms there start at $1,000 night and a suite w/private dippin' pool is a few bucks shy of $2,500 per,.. but money is no issue here,.. sooooo,.. yes,.. i'll take the suite please...
In New Orleans itself,.. as Ohio mentioned,.. Hotel de la Monnaie on Esplanade is a great choice as is the Club La Pension (which we lucky enough to stay at for Fest 03) at 115 Decatur St.... both are incredibly beautiful but they are timeshares,.. Gold Crown rated.... they offer both 1br and 2br units with fully equipped kitchens,.. living rooms,..the whole deal,...... I can get people access to both these places at my cost (which is usually quite low),.. the key there is it usually has to be kinda booked within a few weeks of travel and sadly they are very difficult to book around the times of big events... as you can imagine,.. they are quite in demand at those times......
McGregor
08-18-2007, 10:15 AM
Haven't been to the Hotel de la Monnaie where Esplanade meets the river across from the Mint, but it sounds incredible and Frenchmen St. begins right there!- 4 star luxury suites with full kitchens.
That looks right up our alley, very nice but doesn't lose the new orleans feel, some of the nicer places don't look/feel much like new orleans! I wish the Monnaie website showed you more pictures. It doesn't really let you know what you are getting.
I'd love to hear more suggestions.
How do the Hotel de La Monnaie and the Royal Sonesta stack up against each other? Anyone been to each?
All things considered, I'd like to stay in the suite again at the Frenchmen Hotel but she wants to step it up a bit on the service I think. I like being perched above Frenchmen on the balcony looking down the street at all the clubs, my kind of place.
Thanks to all of you, this has been very helpful!
The Monnaie is just steps away from the Frenchmen, and though I've never stayed there, I'm sure it's much nicer. It's likely the nicest hotel close to Frenchmen.
If you're looking to stay in that area, there are also a lot of house rentals, some nice, some rundown, and it's hard to know which without knowing someone who has stayed there.
Of the two W's, the one on Poydras is more of a typical high-end high-rise hotel and a happening bar scene on weekends; the one on Chartres is much more New-Orleansy, just a few stories tall with a cool courtyard. Both have the uber-comfortable signature W Wonderful beds.
With the Fairmont still closed, the top rated hotels in the city are probably the Ritz Carlton, Windsor Court, Royal Sonesta.
But the other thing to remember, even within a hotel, rooms vary a lot. If you opt for a traditional hotel, I'd look into a suite for sure. That extra space can make any stay much better.
funkkjunkie
08-18-2007, 12:28 PM
If you want a place on frenchmen, you could try Frenchmen Orleans. It has 21 condo units, a pool, a hot tub, and a shared balcony overlooking frenchmen street. BUT it will not have the service a hotel will have. The Hotel Monnaie faces Esplanade and is right across from where the brass stage was at the mint. Looks really nice. What a great friend yall have! But maybe you should try to get this friend to send you to the jazzfest instead of voodoo. ;)
McGregor
08-18-2007, 01:03 PM
If you want a place on frenchmen, you could try Frenchmen Orleans.
We stayed there in the suite for Satchmo Fest, loved it. She wanted to try something different this time so we are but we'll back there for certain. I loved the balcony overlooking the street and it was so spacious. You can sleep 5 in there with the hotel's blessing.
We want to be pampered a bit more this time, honeymoon and all.
Amy Winette
08-18-2007, 02:01 PM
The Monnaie is just steps away from the Frenchmen, and though I've never stayed there, I'm sure it's much nicer. It's likely the nicest hotel close to Frenchmen.
If you're looking to stay in that area, there are also a lot of house rentals, some nice, some rundown, and it's hard to know which without knowing someone who has stayed there.
Of the two W's, the one on Poydras is more of a typical high-end high-rise hotel and a happening bar scene on weekends; the one on Chartres is much more New-Orleansy, just a few stories tall with a cool courtyard. Both have the uber-comfortable signature W Wonderful beds.
With the Fairmont still closed, the top rated hotels in the city are probably the Ritz Carlton, Windsor Court, Royal Sonesta.
But the other thing to remember, even within a hotel, rooms vary a lot. If you opt for a traditional hotel, I'd look into a suite for sure. That extra space can make any stay much better.
I would love to stay in that French Quarter W. It looks so neat, great location, we've never been able to find a decent price on it though!
Goose
08-18-2007, 02:09 PM
Le Pavillon would be my choice...such a lovely hotel...
http://www.lepavillon.com/
.. as Ohio mentioned,.. Hotel de la Monnaie on Esplanade is a great choice as is the Club La Pension (which we lucky enough to stay at for Fest 03) at 115 Decatur St.... both are incredibly beautiful but they are timeshares,.. Gold Crown rated.... they offer both 1br and 2br units with fully equipped kitchens,.. living rooms,..the whole deal,...... I can get people access to both these places at my cost (which is usually quite low),.. the key there is it usually has to be kinda booked within a few weeks of travel and sadly they are very difficult to book around the times of big events... as you can imagine,.. they are quite in demand at those times......I called the Monnaie the other day- they will book a unit for you now. Fest rates are $225/night for a 1BR unit. As low as $140 non-peak times.
NYMAMA
08-18-2007, 03:52 PM
Place D' Arms is a beautifull B&B on St Ann 2 blocks off Jackson Square. They have 2 lovely courtyards an a great pool. www.placedarmes.com We have stayed ther 2 xs and always had a great time.
Zydekitten
08-18-2007, 04:13 PM
Le Pavillon would be my choice...such a lovely hotel...
http://www.lepavillon.com/
Agreed, I almost got to stay there a few years ago for a bidness trip to NOLA that subsequently was canceled . . . they are famous for the peanut butter sandwiches and milk at turndown time! :D
I did get to have lunch there a week ago during my ill-fated job interview and it looks like a truly gorgeous historic hotel in which to stay!
funkkjunkie
08-18-2007, 04:18 PM
Aw, kitty, sorry on the job front. Karma for the job hunt, hunni.
McG, not the Frenchmen. The Frenchmen Orleans, across from Blue Nile.
festivalgirl
08-18-2007, 04:18 PM
I'd go old school at the Monteleone.
Belle
08-18-2007, 06:56 PM
http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/web/onor/onor_c2b4_penthouse.jsp
We have stayed just outside the quarter a few times at the Windsor Court. I like the place alot.
Outside the front door in the street car, the French Quarter, the Casino, cabs waiting. the staff is wonderful expecially the bellman. Parking on site and your car is just a wish away.
We stayed in the Penthouse with my mother footing the bill a few months before she died. It was wonderful as she plays piano and we had lots of room.
sophisticated sissy
08-18-2007, 07:11 PM
I know of these condos on Kauai where in the winter you can swim with giant sea turtles at the shore right outside your door in the morning, snorkel with schools of angelfish and humuhumunukunukuapuaa and morays in the afternoon, watch the whales & dolphins go by all day out your window, eat gourmet pacific rim food next door, and smoke a big stinky while watching the always awesome sunset...ahhhh the sunset!
Did somone say trigger fish?:)
sophisticated sissy
08-18-2007, 07:16 PM
One thing about the Riverside Hilton is that it seems like it takes 45 minutes to get out of there sometimes. Also, while it is comfy, etc., it is a somewhat vanilla kind of place. Unless your room has a river view, you couldn't swear you were anywhere for certain once you're inside.
If you stay at the W, get a suite w/ the martini bar. After all, it is your honeymoon.
tangledupinblue
08-19-2007, 02:09 PM
http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/web/onor/onor_c2b4_penthouse.jsp
We have stayed just outside the quarter a few times at the Windsor Court. I like the place alot.
Outside the front door in the street car, the French Quarter, the Casino, cabs waiting. the staff is wonderful expecially the bellman. Parking on site and your car is just a wish away.
We stayed in the Penthouse with my mother footing the bill a few months before she died. It was wonderful as she plays piano and we had lots of room.
AH Belle! That sounds wonderful. My mom played the piano beautifully as well. God Bless them both!
pokerchick66
08-19-2007, 02:43 PM
Le Pavillon would be my choice...such a lovely hotel...
http://www.lepavillon.com/
I concur. I've stayed in the Castle Suite there and it is DIVINE. They even had Napolean's bathtub in there. Money was no object because I won the suite for the weekend!
I also agree with Crepes . . . the W hotel was freaking awesome and cool. Don't lie on the beds, though. You'll never get up. ;)
pokerchick66
08-19-2007, 02:47 PM
Agreed, I almost got to stay there a few years ago for a bidness trip to NOLA that subsequently was canceled . . . they are famous for the peanut butter sandwiches and milk at turndown time! :D
I did get to have lunch there a week ago during my ill-fated job interview and it looks like a truly gorgeous historic hotel in which to stay!
I used to eat lunch there all the time when I worked at the Energy Centre on Poydras. The Christmas Party there is the thing to try and get invites to every year. One of our tenants used to bring me and my girlfriend every year; that's how I won the Castle Suite. They had drawings on each floor for the different suites at the end of the hall. It is absolutely beautiful for Christmas. :p
Belle
08-19-2007, 02:54 PM
AH Belle! That sounds wonderful. My mom played the piano beautifully as well. God Bless them both!
Mom's are so amazing. Loved her and appreciated her so much while she was living but miss her so much now. As a Mom in the trenches with 3 of my own, sometimes I wonder where she got her patience. I will have done well if my kiddios think the same of me. Love ya mom.
Yours was special too!
sophisticated sissy
08-19-2007, 04:03 PM
I concur. I've stayed in the Castle Suite there and it is DIVINE. They even had Napolean's bathtub in there. Money was no object because I won the suite for the weekend!
You lucky girl!
Hey, wasn't that bathtub a little small though? I've always heard what a, uh, diminutive guy Napoleon was.:)
glinda
08-20-2007, 12:20 AM
For a big hotel right in the quarter, I enjoyed the Omni Royal Orleans, great rooftop pool and old fashioned New Orleans feel.
My group books the entire house (6 rooms) at Maison Du Bois for extended second weekend of fest - across Esplanade from Port of Call, on Dauphine. Lovely lovely place, your own pool & hot tub in the garden out back. Refined yet friendly. Close to everything, small & quiet. We love it! www.maisondubois.net (http://www.maisondubois.net)
My fantasy place, if I could spend anything, has always been Hotel Maison De Ville. www.hotelmaisondeville.com (http://www.hotelmaisondeville.com). Their suites and Audubon Cottages have always sounded soooo charming and old world. House on Bayou Road is on that list too, but better located for fest than for french quarter touring. www.houseonbayouroad.com (http://www.houseonbayouroad.com) Ah, someday!
McGregor
08-29-2007, 03:51 PM
Anyone stayed at the Soniat House on Chartres before? Any info would be appreciated.
We've tried two hotels the weekend of 10/25-29 and no dice, booked (W and Royal Sonesta). :confused: Of course, they weren't completely booked, the W was going to make us switch rooms during our stay and R. Sonesta didn't have what we wanted.
Corona
08-29-2007, 07:34 PM
Have you tried the Renaissance Pere Marquette or the Renaissance Arts? Depends on if you want to be in the quarter...sounds like you do though huh? Those are in the warehouse district but really, really nice.
This month's Travel & Leisure magazine picked top travel agents by destination, and the New Orleans pick (http://www.travelandleisure.com/alist/2007/details.cfm?agent=471&area=2&category=128&by=dest) was a PetDeKat Krewe member.
Here's what Linda said was her dream trip:
Staying in one of the Audubon Cottages at New Orleans' Maison de Ville Hotel and relaxing by the private pool; dinner at Susan Spicer's Bayona, for Mediterranean-Asian fusion, followed by a stroll up Royal Street; a night of music at Café Brasil.
ChiTownHuck
08-29-2007, 11:17 PM
Omni Royal Orleans. Honeymooned there in a balcony room. and stayed there the first couple Jazz Fests. Great roof top pool, old school elegance, and the same friendly doorman each year. Centrally located also.
McGregor
08-29-2007, 11:19 PM
Depends on if you want to be in the quarter...sounds like you do though huh?
Seems like it would be a shame not to.
Those 2 hotels are pretty cool though, very interesting.
Staying in one of the Audubon Cottages at New Orleans' Maison de Ville Hotel and relaxing by the private pool; dinner at Susan Spicer's Bayona, for Mediterranean-Asian fusion, followed by a stroll up Royal Street; a night of music at Café Brasil.
Those look great, unfortunately the 1 bedroom cottages were booked. They had one 2 bedroom available.
For a big hotel right in the quarter, I enjoyed the Omni Royal Orleans, great rooftop pool and old fashioned New Orleans feel.
I think we are going to try Omni Royal next. Looks nice! Thanks everyone!
festivalgirl
08-29-2007, 11:58 PM
Anyone stayed at the Soniat House on Chartres before? Any info would be appreciated.
We've tried two hotels the weekend of 10/25-29 and no dice, booked (W and Royal Sonesta). :confused: Of course, they weren't completely booked, the W was going to make us switch rooms during our stay and R. Sonesta didn't have what we wanted.
I just can't stay at any hotel named "W"! :eek:
Corona
08-30-2007, 08:35 AM
hold tight Mac, I may have something for ya...not a hotel but a beautiful condo on Frenchmen. Not our place (although I could forward you that) but somewhere across the street. Have asked Jada for the info and will get back to you...
Michelino
08-30-2007, 08:56 AM
Oh, I'm sorry, MacG.! :o Excuse me, please.
There are so many wonderful places in New Orleans... like the poet says.."let me count the ways"! I am so enamored by the "W" Hotel(s), though, in New Orleans right now that it's hard to pry me away from them. But I think this thread is a good topic because it may shed new light on different places.
As many years as I've been frequenting New Orleans, I've never stayed at The Corn Stalk Inn. I always pass by there, and say hello when I'm in town, and promise myself that the next time I will stay there. But I never have done so. I am enchanted by their fence.
We've stayed in the Cornstalk. The rooms are quaint and nicely decorated...it's a B&B basically, in the morning they bring you coffee and muffins made in the shape of an ear of corn. The nicest rooms that I saw were the two front rooms on the first floor, however if you do pick one of these, you will feel like you're are being stalked by paparazzi what with all the flash bulbs going off after dark as people continually stop by to take pictures of that darn fence.
McGregor
08-30-2007, 04:44 PM
For a big hotel right in the quarter, I enjoyed the Omni Royal Orleans, great rooftop pool and old fashioned New Orleans feel.
We finally got an Omni suite booked complete with balcony, very happy to be done with all that.
It's going to be a huge weekend in NO if hotel availability in the Quarter is any indication. I had to get my 10/27 Tips Galactic tix today as well, had to keep the momentum going! :D Whoot whoot!
funkkjunkie
08-30-2007, 06:30 PM
Party on, mcg!
ozzie
08-30-2007, 07:03 PM
Well done McGee... now what time should we all get there?
:D
McGregor
08-30-2007, 07:19 PM
Well done McGee... now what time should we all get there?
:D
Bring it on over Ozzie, you can find our suite by locating the drunk guy on the balcony! (Actually that's not good advice in NO! HA)
Corona
08-30-2007, 08:53 PM
Yayyy Mac :) I got the info but it looks like ya did good all on your own. Can't wait :)