Which hotel should I stay at in New Orleans around Mardi Gras time?
I am wondering which hotel I should stay at during Mardi Gras? Did you stay there? Is it nice? How far from Bourbon St? Was it an expensive hotel? Also if you know a hotel I should avoid, please let me know and explain your experience at that hotel. Thanks
The best areas to stay in for Mardi Gras are the French Quarter, Central Business District and Warehouse District (best is the FQ). That way you can use your hotel as a base and enjoy the almost 24/7 street party that is Mardi Gras for the last 5 days of the celebrations. Note that Mardi Gras Day is February 16th in 2010, and MGD is the LAST day of Carnival - not the first or only day.
"Cheap" is probably not realistic. Check the travel sites (expedia, travelocity, etc.) and also check the hotel websites. Go to www.frenchquarterhotels.com for some non-chain hotels in the FQ. Many hotels have a multi-night minimum stay during the last 5 days of Carnival, so call the hotel and talk to a human if you have problems booking online. DON’T try to stay way outside the city to save money, assuming you can drive downtown every day. Traffic & parking are the worst problems during Carnival and it’s a recipe for having your car towed away for a violation.
The only hotel I know of in the city center that you should avoid is the Canal Street Hotel at 1630 Canal Street. It used to be a Day’s Inn and has fallen on hard times since it stopped being part of the national chain.
Go to www.mardigras.com and www.mardigrasguide.com for more info, and the FAQ section may be particularly useful.
Regarding safety, it is a myth that violent crime increases during Carnival in New Orleans. The crowds become very, very thick and there is a chance of being the victim of a pick-pocket (no one I actually know has ever had a problem), so keep ID, cash, & credit cards in a front pocket rather than in a wallet (or purse).
The main danger in New Orleans during Carnival (apart from hangovers) is being towed by Parking Control. You do not need a car to get around downtown New Orleans anytime, and especially not during Carnival. If you drive to NOLA, park your car in a lot or garage and leave it there until it’s time to go.
It is traditional and fun to wear a costume on Mardi Gras Day, so consider bringing one. Anything is OK and it’s fine to recycle an old Halloween or NYE costume.
I hope you have a great time!
December 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Royal Sonesta sits on Bourbon Street and it’s not too bad of a hotel. The Loews (I think that its name) sits a little ways away from the FQ, but it isn’t that far of a walk. I can’t speak to the accommodations at Loews, but it’s a high-rise and looks decent enough.
The Royal Sonesta is older and therefore the rooms are smaller, but still very nice and comfy. It was fun to watch as Bourbon Street was shut down to vehicular traffic and came to life with the pedestrians (There’s a bar that faces out into the street, so you can watch the parade of humanity go by). The only gripe I had was the smell of garbage that permeated the air constantly. My latest visit was post-Katrina, but I remember the stench from the time before that, which was in the mid-70’s.
Anyway, go and have a good time! You should be able to find some rooms at decent prices within a reasonable distance from the Quarter.
References :
Been there, done that, I ain’t looking back…
December 12th, 2009 at 10:22 am
The best areas to stay in for Mardi Gras are the French Quarter, Central Business District and Warehouse District (best is the FQ). That way you can use your hotel as a base and enjoy the almost 24/7 street party that is Mardi Gras for the last 5 days of the celebrations. Note that Mardi Gras Day is February 16th in 2010, and MGD is the LAST day of Carnival - not the first or only day.
"Cheap" is probably not realistic. Check the travel sites (expedia, travelocity, etc.) and also check the hotel websites. Go to http://www.frenchquarterhotels.com for some non-chain hotels in the FQ. Many hotels have a multi-night minimum stay during the last 5 days of Carnival, so call the hotel and talk to a human if you have problems booking online. DON’T try to stay way outside the city to save money, assuming you can drive downtown every day. Traffic & parking are the worst problems during Carnival and it’s a recipe for having your car towed away for a violation.
The only hotel I know of in the city center that you should avoid is the Canal Street Hotel at 1630 Canal Street. It used to be a Day’s Inn and has fallen on hard times since it stopped being part of the national chain.
Go to http://www.mardigras.com and http://www.mardigrasguide.com for more info, and the FAQ section may be particularly useful.
Regarding safety, it is a myth that violent crime increases during Carnival in New Orleans. The crowds become very, very thick and there is a chance of being the victim of a pick-pocket (no one I actually know has ever had a problem), so keep ID, cash, & credit cards in a front pocket rather than in a wallet (or purse).
The main danger in New Orleans during Carnival (apart from hangovers) is being towed by Parking Control. You do not need a car to get around downtown New Orleans anytime, and especially not during Carnival. If you drive to NOLA, park your car in a lot or garage and leave it there until it’s time to go.
It is traditional and fun to wear a costume on Mardi Gras Day, so consider bringing one. Anything is OK and it’s fine to recycle an old Halloween or NYE costume.
I hope you have a great time!
References :