New Orleans Hotels Help Please!

[C&THollings]

First, I check the boards for New Orleans and did not find my answer.

 

I am looking for a hotel that is close to the train station and the port. Walking distance from the Amtrak to the hotel would be fine too. But I am looking for a shuttle if possible from the hotel to the port. Most of the hotel sites do not mention if they have a shuttle. On the hotel websites I have check, I have found very mixed reviews as far as the quality of the hotels too.

 

Any one stayed recently in New Orleans with advice?

[Igerster]

We cruised out of New Orleans last year. We stayed at the Westin. We loved it. One of the niceest hotels we have stayed in. It was walking distance from The French Quarter. It was fairly close to the port, maybe a 5-10 min drive. Here is a link to the hotel. I hope this helps.

 

 

http://deals.westin.com/Westin-New-Orleans-Canal-Place-Hotel-1763/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_South_Google_westin_new_orleans_Exact_100510_NAD_FM

[Kethry88]

I haven't stayed in New Orleans, but have you looked at the Hampton Inn & Suites - Convention Center? It's closer to the cruise port than the Amtrak station (I think it may be THE closest hotel to the cruise port), but most Hampton Inns have shuttles. I'd give them a call to see if they'd have a shuttle to pick you up from the train station and if they have a shuttle service to the port as well. Anothe plus, all Hampton Inns have a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning. Here's the hotel's websites: http://www.neworleanshamptoninns.com/

 

and

 

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?xch=1071220769,vwkxTjnV86MGrrjH3VKP1Xpn1NLyhJMGM6lF3LV16cGlX58Qr1nG!707140548!1319366165813&ctyhocn=MSYLAHX

 

EDIT: Looks like they have a cruise package with shuttle to the port AND pick-up from the port to the hotel after. Book under code TAC: http://www.neworleanshamptoninns.com/new-orleans-cruising.php

[JerseyshoreBruce]

First, I check the boards for New Orleans and did not find my answer.

 

I am looking for a hotel that is close to the train station and the port. Walking distance from the Amtrak to the hotel would be fine too. But I am looking for a shuttle if possible from the hotel to the port. Most of the hotel sites do not mention if they have a shuttle. On the hotel websites I have check, I have found very mixed reviews as far as the quality of the hotels too.

 

Any one stayed recently in New Orleans with advice?

We stayed at the Drury Inn and loved it....very nice...free breakfast....clean....pool....within walking distance of everything. At the corner was the Trolley.....not sure if it went to Amtrak Station but you could check eaisly online. We took a taxi to the port...only a few blocks but cheap ride...could of walked but had my motherinlaw with me.

[firefly333]

First, I check the boards for New Orleans and did not find my answer.

 

I am looking for a hotel that is close to the train station and the port. Walking distance from the Amtrak to the hotel would be fine too. But I am looking for a shuttle if possible from the hotel to the port. Most of the hotel sites do not mention if they have a shuttle. On the hotel websites I have check, I have found very mixed reviews as far as the quality of the hotels too.

 

Any one stayed recently in New Orleans with advice?

 

Where is the train station?? Maybe if you post that you would get some replies close to it... though I think its outside the french qtr area where the port is.

 

Would you rather be close to the train station or the port?

 

I just answered one of these posts yesterday and the hotels are no longer allowed to shuttle you to the port I heard. Last time Holiday Inn Superdome was allowed to drop us off but not allowed to pick up. They said if caught picking up from the port the taxi's reported them to the hotel and it caused problems, so they just stopped it rather than fight with the taxi drivers, even though the taxi's cant do anything but cause trouble, they are allowed.

 

I can tell you the last 3 times Iv stayed in New Orleans the shuttle drivers told me the taxis were fighting with the shuttle drivers from the hotels and doing everything they could to make it hard to drop folks off. Picking up is where they were really fighting.. so you might get dropped off but not picked up. I would double check with the hotel they were picking up from the port.

[addicted2cruizin]

In the past four years we have stayed at three different hotels on Canal.

 

Crown Plaza (Canal @ Bourbon). This one is close the action on Bourbon but relatively quiet.

 

JW Marriott: My favorite of the three. Very quiet and in a great location.

 

Doubletree: this one was ok for one night. The walls were thin. We could hear folks in the hall and in the rooms next to ours all night. Could have walked to port from here. It would be a long walk though.

 

None of these hotels offer "free" breakfast. You can buy breakfast at the hotel or walk a few blocks to the French Quarter.

 

A taxi to the port from any of these hotels should be relatively inexpensive.

[Megalon]

C&T,

 

I won't be able to give input on the shuttle situation, but I've vacationed in New Orleans 5 times in the last 18 months and know the area between the train station and the port fairly well. I'm going back November 10. I won't be able to get to answer thoroughly until tonight. The station is only a crow-fly mile from the terminal and there will be numerous good choices within a square mile. If you mention what you hope to do while in New Orleans, I will share what I can that may help you. That info would help focus the location of your choice. Be back later.

[C&THollings]

From what I can tell, the train station which is on 1000 Loyala Street is only a couple miles from the port.

Our train gets in around 3:00, so a little bit of site seeing and a good meal is about all we will have time to do. We will only be staying the night before the cruise. Leaving for home the same day the cruise gets back.

[TVChick16]

There's not a lot around the train station... I wouldn't stay near there. I would recommend staying in the French Quarter which is a quick taxi ride or a 20-minute walk from the train station. (The walk is fine... we did it in July because we stayed in the French Quarter but parked our rental car at the Amtrak station because it was only $5 to park.)

 

We recently stayed at the Iberville Suites in the French Quarter. It was 4th of July week and we got a great deal on hotels dot com of only $69 per night! They have a good free breakfast in their beautiful lobby... and because it's connected to the Ritz Carlton you can use their gym and pool facilities! They don't offer free transportation to the port, but once again it's only a short taxi ride or a 10-15 minute walk to the port.

 

I would definitely recommend staying in the French Quarter for your short time in N.O. That way you can walk around and get your fill in the one night you are there.

 

The Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Harrah's Hotel and Casino are three of the closest hotels to the port. The port is adjacent to the Riverwalk Marketplace so you can walk through it to get to the port. The port is also within walking distance of the French Quarter.

 

Enjoy!

[cruiserami]

Ditto the Crowne Plaza @ Bourbon and Canal. Best bang for the buck and location!

[Megalon]

C&T,

 

When I vacation in N.O., I don't stay in the French Quarter. I stay near it in what is known as the Central Business District/CBD or a hotel on Canal south of Bourbon St. It is less risky as for getting a good night's sleep and has easy walking access to the Quarter, restaurants, and casino. I suggest going on Tripadvisor and look at the reviews for the four star or better customer reviewed hotels in the CBD and see which meet your needs. You will see the Drury and several others. Then go to a site like Travelocity and Hotels.com and see prices. I often use Hotwire and look at their CBD hotels. If you click on selecting a hotel, you get a second page that usually shows how many stars Tripadvisor raters gave the unnamed hotel. This is a great safety net for determining the quality of the hotel. If you know how to use BetterBidding.com's Louisiana Hotwire button, you can usually figure out which exact hotel it is. I've gotten the Intercontinental, Staybridge, Country Inn and Suites, and the Marriott on Canal through the site for very reasonable prices. If you book the Drury (people seem to like it), use their website and go through "special offers" for a highly reduced rate. The Drury does not normally appear on travel consolidator sites. Iberville Suites is on the edge of the Quarter just across the line from the CBD. It is popular also. The JW Marriott is on Canal also, but it can be pricey. You will find many acceptable choices on your search.

 

I completely agree with the poster who recommended getting a bit away from the train station. It is at the top of the CBD is away from most everything interesting to walk to. Also, any hotel you choose in that area will be a short cab ride to the pier.

[Megalon]

A P.S.,

 

I was just on Hotwire. They now refer to Central Business District hotels as Downtown Hotels.

[hlb76]

Christina,

 

Im so jealous... your going again!

 

We loved the Drury Inn. It is Podyras (spelling) and was close to everything we needed. Shuttle to the port from the hotel was $7 a person the hotel set it up for us. I wish I had pics for you but I was bad at taking them. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. Prices where great too especially when you factor in the breakfast/ free drinks and snacks each night!

 

What ever you choose enjoy!!

[C&THollings]

Heather... I took your advice and booked the Drury Inn. It did sound nice and all the extra's look good too. I splurged and got the Jacuzzi Suite. Still not a bad price of $134 a night.

 

Now to figure out what to do in Progresso and Cozumel.....

[hlb76]

Not a bad price at all!!! I looked at that room but w/ 5 in a room it did not make sense!

 

We enjoyed our day at Mr. Sanchos in cozumel. We where unable to port Progresso... guess I need to try to rebook that cruise!! :cool:

[mitsugirly]

Heather... I took your advice and booked the Drury Inn. It did sound nice and all the extra's look good too. I splurged and got the Jacuzzi Suite. Still not a bad price of $134 a night.

 

Now to figure out what to do in Progresso and Cozumel.....

 

Here's my review from last month on the Drury...we loved it (had a problem, but the people there were terrific!). We would definitely stay there again.

 

Review first half: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=30652757&postcount=2

 

Review second half: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=30652839&postcount=3

[BrownEyedGal]

Our first cruise we sailed out of New Orleans and stayed at Hotel Monteleone located on Royal St in French Quarter. The most amazing breakfast!

 

Highly reccomend Panchos Backyard in Cozumel & Jeep tour. We loved Progresso; did not book an excursion but had lunch at restaurant on the beach. Can't remember the name but do remember the best Margaritas and Shrimp cocktails in an tall "ice cream soda" like glass. Awesome!

 

Enjoy your Cruise!