Hotel Recommendations

Question

Any recommendations for or against the hotels below would be greatly appreciated!

Grenoble House

Hotel Monteleone

Chateau Orleans

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel

Hotel Mazarin

Hotel St. Marie

New Orleans Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott NO FQ/Iberville

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

Drury Plaza

Virgin Hotels

Renaissance NO Arts Warehouse District

Aloft NO DT

For some background, we are a couple in our 30s visiting for our second time, this time for French Quarter Fest. We enjoy history, food, music, and nightlife. We plan on walking for most or all of the trip.

I’ve cross-referenced Google Maps, Reddit, TripAdvisor, and booking.com and made a ridiculous spreadsheet, but still having trouble narrowing down hotel. I know the trip and some of these I already booked with free cancellation.

Answer

It sounds like you're going to have an amazing trip to New Orleans! French Quarter Fest is such a great time to experience the music, food, and vibrant atmosphere of the city. I can certainly help you with some thoughts on these hotels based on your preferences—history, food, music, nightlife, and walking around the city. I'll give you some pros and cons for each of the hotels you’ve mentioned to help you narrow it down!

1. Grenoble House

Grenoble House is a small, boutique hotel located in the French Quarter. It offers a more relaxed and intimate experience, with a beautiful courtyard and small pool. It’s within walking distance of Bourbon Street and other French Quarter attractions.

Pros: Quiet, boutique vibe, charming French Quarter location, outdoor courtyard pool.
Cons: Limited amenities compared to larger hotels, can be a little more expensive for the value if you're looking for larger hotel options.

2. Hotel Monteleone

Hotel Monteleone is a historic, upscale hotel located in the French Quarter. Famous for its Carousel Bar, which is a must-see for visitors, it also offers elegant rooms and a rooftop pool with great views of the city.

Pros: Historic charm, central location, rooftop pool, Carousel Bar, excellent dining options.
Cons: Can be pricey, may get crowded due to its popularity during events like French Quarter Fest.

3. Chateau Orleans

Chateau Orleans is a smaller, more affordable hotel in the French Quarter. It’s located just off Bourbon Street, so it’s close to the action but offers a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than some of the larger properties.

Pros: Great location, budget-friendly, close to Bourbon Street.
Cons: Limited amenities, older building.

4. Omni Royal Orleans Hotel

This upscale hotel is located near Jackson Square, so it’s in the heart of the French Quarter. It offers luxury accommodations, a rooftop pool, and a popular restaurant and bar.

Pros: Excellent location, rooftop pool with great views, classic New Orleans ambiance, top-notch service.
Cons: Expensive, might feel a bit formal compared to other more casual options.

5. Hotel Mazarin

Hotel Mazarin is an elegant, boutique-style hotel located just off Bourbon Street. It has a European vibe, with luxurious decor and a quiet, peaceful courtyard. The location is prime for exploring the French Quarter.

Pros: Central location, charming ambiance, quiet and peaceful despite being close to Bourbon Street, great breakfast options.
Cons: Can be pricey during peak seasons, smaller rooms compared to larger hotels.

6. Hotel St. Marie

Hotel St. Marie is another French Quarter gem, with a great balance of affordability and convenience. It offers a classic New Orleans experience with a pool and lovely courtyard, just a short walk from Bourbon Street.

Pros: Affordable for its location, great pool, close to nightlife, excellent value for the price.
Cons: Can be noisy at night, depending on the room.

7. New Orleans Marriott

The New Orleans Marriott is a large, modern hotel located on Canal Street, just outside the French Quarter. It offers spacious rooms, a large pool, and excellent amenities. It's a good option if you prefer a more standard hotel experience with lots of convenience.

Pros: Spacious rooms, large pool, modern amenities, great views, short walk to the French Quarter.
Cons: Can be more expensive, not as intimate or full of character as smaller hotels in the French Quarter.

8. Courtyard by Marriott NO FQ/Iberville

This Courtyard is located near the French Quarter and offers a more affordable option with comfortable rooms. It’s a larger chain hotel, so you get the reliability of Marriott but with less historic charm.

Pros: Modern and comfortable, great location near the French Quarter, relatively affordable for its proximity to the Quarter.
Cons: Less personality compared to boutique hotels, more generic feel.

9. Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is a newer, stylish hotel in the French Quarter with a great design and excellent service. The hotel is part of the Kimpton brand, which is known for its pet-friendly atmosphere, fun vibe, and chic decor.

Pros: Modern amenities, stylish design, central location, great dining options, hip vibe.
Cons: Can be a bit pricey, might not have the classic New Orleans charm if you’re after something more historic.

10. Drury Plaza

Drury Plaza is a modern, family-friendly hotel located near the French Quarter and provides great value for its location. It offers free breakfast, free drinks in the evening, and spacious rooms.

Pros: Free breakfast and drinks, good value, family-friendly.
Cons: More of a chain-hotel experience, lacks the local charm of boutique hotels.

11. Virgin Hotels

The Virgin Hotels New Orleans is a newer, upscale option that offers sleek, modern rooms with an innovative design. It’s located near the Warehouse District and a bit further from the French Quarter but still walkable to most attractions.

Pros: Modern, trendy design, excellent amenities, rooftop bar.
Cons: Slightly further from the French Quarter, may feel more corporate than boutique-style.

12. Renaissance NO Arts Warehouse District

The Renaissance is located in the Arts Warehouse District, which is a bit quieter than the French Quarter but still close to a lot of great attractions. It’s a stylish, upscale hotel with contemporary flair.

Pros: Artsy neighborhood, chic design, close to museums, less touristy but still near major attractions.
Cons: A little further from the French Quarter nightlife, more business-oriented.

13. Aloft NO DT

Aloft New Orleans Downtown is another chain hotel that’s stylish, modern, and well-located in the Central Business District, just a short walk from the French Quarter. It’s great for a younger crowd or anyone looking for a trendy, budget-friendly option.

Pros: Trendy, good value, close to the French Quarter, comfortable rooms.
Cons: Less New Orleans character, more of a modern chain vibe.

Final Thoughts:

If you're after a classic New Orleans experience with some history and charm, hotels like Hotel Monteleone, Hotel Mazarin, and Omni Royal Orleans are excellent choices. For a more modern, trendy experience, consider Kimpton Hotel Fontenot or Virgin Hotels. If you prefer something more affordable but still central, Hotel St. Marie and Drury Plaza are great options. It all depends on the vibe you're going for—whether it's historic, boutique, or modern!

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