Hotels in New Orleans

[ricruise]

I am starting to plan for a cruise next winter out of New Orleans and was looking at the NCL pre-cruise hotel recommendations. Has anyone stayed at any of these hotels and whcih would they recommend.

 

We would be most interested in being close to Canal Street, eating great cajun food and perhaps being close to a casino. We don;t necessarily demand 5 star but would like a really noce place to stay.

 

The three options are the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, the Intercontinental New Orleans and the Sheraton New Orleans.

[Sauer-kraut]

Have you looked at TripAdvisor.com to see what people are saying about these hotels?

 

Also, have you gone over the the C.C. Ports of Call boards and asked your question over there on the New Orleans thread? You might get more information over there.

 

Happy cruising :)

[luddite]

The holiday Inn on Royal St will put you in the Quarter. Casinos aren't near, but the food is close. Acme, Felix, Johnny's PoBoy's,Cafe Beignet.

OK, that's the end of my list. We don't need more than those places. :D

[garycarla]

All those hotels should be fine.

 

But, more important is to book EARLY. Hotel rooms in New Orleans are often hard to find, especially if some event is going on.

[Lena B]

Come and join us on our Feb 13 Spirit sailing - we have a really fun cc bunch. Check out our roll call!

[flyawayca]

DH and I stayed at the Hampton Inn in New Orleans on Carondelet Street before our cruise in April and loved it.

 

Its right off of Canal street. Carondelet actually turns into Bourbon Street right as you cross over Canal. Great location and near all the great food. One block from the French Quarter. Its not too far from the casino but very simple to jump on a street car to take you to it.

 

The hotel is in a renovated historical building. They have very good prices. We told them we were there for our anniversary and they surprised us with a bottle of wine and a card signed by all the staff on duty.

 

They also have free breakfast in the morning.

 

I do recommend, like sauer-kraut, that you check out Trip Advisor. This is where I found out about the Hampton Inn. But they can tell you a lot about the three hotels you listed.

[my_crib_too]

Prior to our New Orleans cruise, we stayed at the Sheraton New Orleans on one of the upper floors. Great view of the cruise ship and it’s a perfect location in New Orleans to tour the French Quarter. I would certainly recommend this hotel.

[nccruiser47]

I, too, stayed at the Hampton Inn and was extremely pleased with the location. Lots to see and do within walking distance. They have a shuttle to the port and ship (which is right across the street and easy to walk to if you are so inclined)!!

The price was great, the service was excellent!! The building was quite fascinating as mentioned above was a restored historical site.

[ParrothdJH]

I am starting to plan for a cruise next winter out of New Orleans and was looking at the NCL pre-cruise hotel recommendations. Has anyone stayed at any of these hotels and whcih would they recommend.

 

We would be most interested in being close to Canal Street, eating great cajun food and perhaps being close to a casino. We don;t necessarily demand 5 star but would like a really noce place to stay.

 

The three options are the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, the Intercontinental New Orleans and the Sheraton New Orleans.

The Hilton is right at Riverwalk where the port is and across the street from Harrah's Hotel & casino, or you can stay at Harrah's, really nice hotel. both are only about 3 blocks from the Quarter

[newmexicoNita]

DH and I stayed at the Hampton Inn in New Orleans on Carondelet Street before our cruise in April and loved it.

 

Its right off of Canal street. Carondelet actually turns into Bourbon Street right as you cross over Canal. Great location and near all the great food. One block from the French Quarter. Its not too far from the casino but very simple to jump on a street car to take you to it.

 

The hotel is in a renovated historical building. They have very good prices. We told them we were there for our anniversary and they surprised us with a bottle of wine and a card signed by all the staff on duty.

 

They also have free breakfast in the morning.

 

I do recommend, like sauer-kraut, that you check out Trip Advisor. This is where I found out about the Hampton Inn. But they can tell you a lot about the three hotels you listed.

 

 

I too, am looking for a hotel for our Feb 20th sailing. We were looking at the Garden Inn, but might consider the Hampton Inn, sounds awesome. Our first trip to NOLA< we stayed at a botique type near the French Quarters, it had to be the worse place we have stayed in 52 years of marriage. I think we learned, it is better to go with chains, although not always as authentic and fun.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

I, too, stayed at the Hampton Inn and was extremely pleased with the location. Lots to see and do within walking distance. They have a shuttle to the port and ship (which is right across the street and easy to walk to if you are so inclined)!!

The price was great, the service was excellent!! The building was quite fascinating as mentioned above was a restored historical site.

 

Do you remember if they had a park and stay package? We will be driving.

 

Nita

[garycarla]

Seems like I have seen somebody post about a park n stay. Generally I think you will find these very difficult to find. Parking in New Orleans is tight, and expensive.

 

Good news, bad news is parking at the pier. You can drive right up to where they take your bags, then drive up another floor or two and park and take the elevator right back down to the checkin area. When you return, you can drag your bags from Customs to the elevator right to your car.

 

Bad news it is not cheap. $16 a day.

http://www.portno.com/pno_pages/cruises_passenger_info.htm#parking

[mdwest1975]

Prior to our NCL cruise last year out of NO, we (party of 10, 5 rooms) stayed at the Marriott Convention Center. Older, but nice. The beds had the best mattresses. It is 2 blocks from riverwalk, 5 blocks from french quarter and about 3 blocks from cruise terminal. We would take the trolley or rail anywhere we wanted to go. Cheap and easy.

[Budget Queen]

Actually, the Holiday Inn on Royal, IS close to the Harrahs Casino, just 3+ block walk. I have been to NO, numerous times, going twice per year, since mid 90's. I now stay at the La Quinta, on Camp, very convenient location, free breakfast, very nice rooms, nice staff, and usually some excellent rates. An alternative for transportation from the airport is the Cheap Jefferson airport bus to Elk, $1.60. Easy 1 block walk to Canal, if you want the streetcar. BUT, I have no problem hauling my own bags, seems to be a "concern" of many who are better off paying for the convenience of higher priced transfer options. :)

[ricruise]

I did check Travel Advisor for reviews of each of the hotels offered by NCL. They rated the Marriott the best of the three.

 

Anyone else stayed at any of them?

 

Also this may be a stupid question but when is Mardi Gras so we avoid dates around that time?

 

We are considering the Feb 13th trip as well as the Feb 20th.

[LovesAllTravel]

DH and I stayed at the Hampton Inn in New Orleans on Carondelet Street before our cruise in April and loved it.

 

Its right off of Canal street. Carondelet actually turns into Bourbon Street right as you cross over Canal. Great location and near all the great food. One block from the French Quarter. Its not too far from the casino but very simple to jump on a street car to take you to it.

 

The hotel is in a renovated historical building. They have very good prices. We told them we were there for our anniversary and they surprised us with a bottle of wine and a card signed by all the staff on duty.

 

They also have free breakfast in the morning.

 

I do recommend, like sauer-kraut, that you check out Trip Advisor. This is where I found out about the Hampton Inn. But they can tell you a lot about the three hotels you listed.

 

Are you referring to the Hampton Inn-Convention Center or Hampton Inn-Downtown New Orleans?? I'm booked at HI-Convention Center next month (cruise package), so I'm definitely interested in hearing more about this particular property -- things to do closeby, restaurants, French Quarter, proximity to casinos. TIA!

[Sargent_Schultz]

If you occasionally gamble at a Harrah's casino, they might comp you a room or perhaps at least a discount. In the past, they have comped a room for me at Hilton Riverside.

 

The Intercontinental is a nice hotel, on the streetcar line, but a few blocks from the French Quarter.

 

There are some pictures from Hilton Riverside here:

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/fantasy_07/nola/nola2.htm

 

and Intercontinental here:

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/fantasy_07/nola/nola3.htm

 

If I stayed at either of these properties, I would just park at the port.

[UV830]

I did check Travel Advisor for reviews of each of the hotels offered by NCL. They rated the Marriott the best of the three.

 

Anyone else stayed at any of them?

 

Also this may be a stupid question but when is Mardi Gras so we avoid dates around that time?

 

We are considering the Feb 13th trip as well as the Feb 20th.

 

 

Fat Tuesday is March 8. You'll be 2 weeks ahead of it. The parade schedule is just kicking off the week of your cruise.

[texast518]

Staying at W Hotel 2 nights before cruise (looks nice on web site), Harrahs 2 nights after, they were nice enough to comp all, Diamond member, parking is comped during cruise. If you are a player, you should check out.

[CRUIZ-N-HAZE]

We are staying at the Courtyard Marriott by the Convention Center. We stayed there last time. It offers 8 days of parking if you are going on a cruise. It was very nice. We were able to walk to the Quarter, but it wasn't a short walk. However, compared to the price of leaving your car at the pier, you are almost staying at the hotel for free!

[edillen1]

I've stayed at the Marriott on Canal Street numerous times and it is a very nice hotel. It has benn recently overhauled in the last couple of years. It, the Sheraton and Hilton will all be big busy hotels. All are nice. The Hotel Monteleone is only a couple bocks from Marriott in the French Quarter and is a very nice hotel too. All are only a few blocks from the Port also.

[ricruise]

Would you recommend going through NCL for the flight and hotel or would I be better off getting each of these myself?

 

I like the fact that once your at the hotel pre-cruise they will handle your luggage to the ship but if that's the only benefit I might try to book seperately.

[Lena B]

We only booked our flight through the cruise line on our first cruise. I find that we get a better deal if we book flight and hotel ourselves - I also like having a little more control over flights and times. (Although New Orleans is a driving port for us)

 

New Orleans is a very easy port to deal with and a great pre-cruise experience! The French Quarter is near the port, so it will be an inexpensive cab ride and dealing with your luggage yourself should be fairly easy. At the Holiday Inn, we just check our cruise luggage downstairs - we don't even have to lug it to our room.

 

I hope that you love the Spirit and New Orleans as much as I do! You're gonna have a great time!

[pink roses]

I've stayed at the Marriott on Canal Street numerous times and it is a very nice hotel. It has benn recently overhauled in the last couple of years. It, the Sheraton and Hilton will all be big busy hotels. All are nice. The Hotel Monteleone is only a couple bocks from Marriott in the French Quarter and is a very nice hotel too. All are only a few blocks from the Port also.

 

When staying at the Marriott, how did you get to the cruise port? Is it close enough to walk? or did you take a cab? Thanks.

[garycarla]

Though some hotels might be walkable, they are not with bags. Cabs are the best bet, always available. I think it is a flat rate - something like $14 for the 10 minute ride and they drop you off right where the porters grab your bags.

 

Works great!

 

On our last time there, we were part of a Harrahs group and they had a bus from the hotel to the port, and back. We just took a cab vs. waiting for Aunt Millie to show up!

 

p.s. - along with that last comment, I would never book the hotel through the cruiseline. You can find as good a deal, and YOU are in control. Sure, you have to get your bags to the cab and then out. But, with transfers, you still have to get them to the bus in the morning. And, at the port, you may not even touch them if taking a cab. They pull up, bags out, porter grabs them. And YOU know they got to the ship okay.