Suite-type hotels in New Orleans?

[CruiseMark]

Last August when we went on the Sensation out of Tampa we stayed at the Westin, which wwas all suites. It was great since there were two adults and two teenagers. They stayed in the living room portion for the enight and we had the bedroom.

 

Is there something similar in New Orleans that's convenient to the pier, plus a grocery or convenience store where we can pick up a case of Diet Pepsi?

 

Also, how far from the pier from the French Quarter?

 

As you can see, this will be our first time in New Orleans, so any tips are appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[mexicobob]

There is an Embassy Suites very close to the pier which is an all suites place. Many other hotels close by also but they are more your standard hotel type. Depending on what is going on in New orleans prices can vary widely for the same room. At times (Mardi Gras for example) rooms are just about impossible to get at any price.

 

The French Quarter is 10-12 blocks away or thereabouts. You can walk or there are inexpensive trolleys.

 

Do not think there are any grocery stores close by. Seems like there are some small stores in the French Quarter but things would not be cheap.

 

MexicoBob

[CruiseMark]

Thanks Bob!

[BrendaB1]

You might find additional info about New Orleans & hotels at www.nola.com or www.neworleansonline.com Happy cruising.

[tarbashchaputi]

There is a small grocery type place right by the pier called the Cajan Grocer that is a bit expensive but has everything you might need including pop and beer. I picked up pop at the Walgreens on Decatur street the night before we departed. It is on Julia Street I believe.

[cruisingdoc]

Just got back from a 5 day trip on the Sensation. Stayed at the Embassy pre-cruise. Good hotel - within walking distance of everything. Suite hotel with two queen size beds and a pull out couch. Two blocks from the Riverwalk and port. We were able to walk to the cruise ship. Hotel has happy hour nightly from 5:30 - 7:30 PM - free drinks and chex mix type snack. In the morning there is the full cooked to order breakfast. Convenience store right on the corner one block away. You can trolley to the French Quarter, Jackson Square, French Market, etc. All are also within walking distance including Bourbon Street. Let me know if you have any questions!

[vivalas]

Sorry

[vivalas]

Just got back from a 5 day trip on the Sensation. Stayed at the Embassy pre-cruise. Good hotel - within walking distance of everything. Suite hotel with two queen size beds and a pull out couch. Two blocks from the Riverwalk and port. We were able to walk to the cruise ship. Hotel has happy hour nightly from 5:30 - 7:30 PM - free drinks and chex mix type snack. In the morning there is the full cooked to order breakfast. Convenience store right on the corner one block away. You can trolley to the French Quarter, Jackson Square, French Market, etc. All are also within walking distance including Bourbon Street. Let me know if you have any questions!

You said you were able to walk to the cruise ship, about how far and how much luggage did you have? We were thinking of doing the walking thing too because of all the posts on the congestion in the pier area and how long they sat in traffic lines waiting to get dropped off. Did you go through the Riverwalk with your luggage in tow, or on the street? Where is the trolley pick up? We just stayed at an Embassy Suites in Chicago Illinois before the holidays and if the one in New Orleans is anything like that one, we will be very satisfied. Just the breakfast and cocktail reception alone, then the suites on top of that. Did you taxi from the airport? If so, how much does that run and how far away is it?

[GoinCruisin]

The airport trip takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic, I believe it was $14 per person... something like that.

[vivalas]

The airport trip takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic, I believe it was $14 per person... something like that.

So for a couple that 30 minute ride could be $28? Has anyone done any of the shuttle services and if so, which ones, or the comparison of costs and is it more of a hassle to save a couple dollars? I know some of those shuttles you could end up being the last dropped off and spend double time for the ride. Any imput would be a help. Thanks

[GoinCruisin]

Taxi service in NOLA is not cheap. But for a 30 minute trip, $28 is not bad and is comparable to most major cities. I don't use shuttle services. The savings is not worth it to turn a 30 minute trip into a 2 hour trip for me, but that is just my opinion... We had 7 people in our group and taxi service to and from the airport, to and from the port, etc, was the easiest way for us...

[cruisingdoc]

Taxi from airport to Embassy was $12 per person. There were five of us for $60.00 plus tip. Airport is about a 20 minute ride to/from port. We did self assist getting off the ship so we were allowed to leave the ship first. So easy - would definitely travel this way again. Plenty of taxis when you get off the ship.

 

Walk to port from Embassy was easy and I am a weakling when it comes to carrying luggage. From the Embassy you walk the two blocks toward the Riverwalk but stay to the right instead of going into the mall. We had luggage on wheels and a travel bag each - no problems. On Julia St. you pass the Cajun Grocer if you need to pick up anything. Did see a bellhop from the Hilton escorting a family with their luggage on a cart. Probably with a tip you could get the extra help. Walk from the Hilton appeared to be about the same distance although you do not pass the Convenience Store.

 

The Riverfront Trolley cost $1.25 and you must have exact change. We took the trolley from one end to the other due to lack of time. Had walked the length of it the day before! Definitely go to the flea market - great prices on New Orleans trinkets!

 

Enjoy your trip. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[vivalas]

Thanks cruisingdoc for the information. Is there anything else you saw or did while in NO that you recommend, or anything to skip? I would be interested in anything else you could tell me about your stay at the Embassy and the nearby area. :)

[sdcantrn]

Embassy Suites is nice and convenient. We are sailing in February - during Mardi Gras season, and I had difficulty finding availability without a 3 night minimum. I did locate Staybridge Suites which is at the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas, only a few blocks from Embassy Suites. Staybridge is within a block of Harrah's Casino and a short walk to the Riverwalk and Hilton.

 

Just another option if Embassy is not available....

[cruisingdoc]

Bourbon St was fun but we had a daughter with us who is just 20 and was not allowed in any of the clubs after 9 PM. We ate at the Seaport Cajun Restaurant on Bourbon - okay food, not great and a little overpriced. Took the trolley to the French Market and enjoyed strolling through the flea market - great NO trinkets at cheap prices! Do your shoppipng here and browse through the Riverwalk. Found a coffee shop in the middle of the square that had an outdoor jazz band playing. Great place to stop for a cafe au lait!

[Fire6]

We also stayed at the Embassy Suites last year after Conquest cruise. We easily walked from the pier with all our luggage (and with a 5 and 9 year old in tow).

 

The hotel was nice and in a great spot for walking to the pier and also to the French quarter. I'd recommend it.

[bluejeans]

When I booked the Embassy Suites last November, they informed me they had a shuttle from the airport to the hotel, can anyone tell me if this is so?

[jessed]

I see where different people have different taxi rates. When I was there in December the taxi rate from the airport to Embassy Suites was $25 for the first person and $10 for every extra person - flat rate. I don't recall seeing a shuttle or info about one.

[bluejeans]

thanks jessed, I will call them before I leave to make sure.

[vivalas]

I don't think hardly any hotels have complimentary shuttles if that is the kind you want. There are all kinds of shuttles you can get at the airport to take you to any hotel, for a few dollars less than a taxi. For two of us it was $28. If you had 3 or 4, you saved a few dollars for each additional person, but still not cheap, on the way to the airport from the pier we did the shuttle bus, for $10 each, compared to $14 for a taxi. But when we arrived, we came two days early, so no pier shuttle.