Jump to content

Hotels?


parttimr
 Share

Recommended Posts

One more thing I should post while I'm thinking about it. Since I push hotwire on here I think I should post when I have problems with them. It's been a few years since I have had a problem but I had one a few weeks ago.

 

This was when I was checking in to Aloft downtown prior to the Saints-Texans Monday Night Football game. The city is slammed. I had to double park in the street for valet to grab my car. I booked this room back in July as a room for 2 adults and 2 children even though only two adults would be in it. The reason for this is it is supposed to guarantee two beds. It always has for me.

 

We get checked in and are given a room with one king bed. The front desk says they are full and that is how hotwire booked it. I call hotwire. They say the hotel is responsible for giving me a room that can accommodate four people. I waste an hour on the phone.

 

We head out to the stadium. Hotwire calls me back and offers two options. They can refund my money or they can move me to a different hotel. Both options require me to check out of the room immediately. We're an hour from kickoff. I'm trying to get to the stadium. My bags are in the hotel room. My car is in their valet. The streets are loaded. Neither of those are options. I expand the vocabulary of the hotwire person, hang up, and continue to the game.

 

I planned to call back after the game but thought it wasn't worth it because I already paid for valet parking at the first hotel and I'd have to pay it again at the hotel we moved to. So we just made due for the night and I would call on a later date to try to get compensation.

 

I paid $120 for the hotel after taxes. That's what I wanted. 120 hotwire dollars. I call and the girl offers me $40. I ask for a supervisor. She ups it to $60 and says that's the most they can do. She told me I would be able to get a refund on my valet parking. She had me send a screen shot of that charge but they denied it. So I just took a $60 credit on my next booking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Greg,  I have never stayed at the HIlton Riverside, but have reservations in a couple of weeks.  Having viewed your video ( thank you SO much for walking FROM Cruise to Hilton) I feel we can walk from the ship to Hilton.  Never been to the Riverwalk mall either and was wondering if it will open for walkers around 8 or 9 AM ? Also, is there any way to take elevators and not go outside the mall.? Again, TY very much for the video and your information you provide about New Orleans and Carnival Glory! Looking forward to our first Glory cruise in a few weeks.  Any advice you can provide about rooms to request at Hilton Riverside is appreciated.  THANKS<

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saint Greg,

 

Thanks for your update on the Hilton Riverside.

 

My BF and I did end up staying there and had a nice stay for the night.  When we checked in the desk agent asked why we were staying and when I indicated we were on a joint 55th birthday trip, he gave us a $75 credit to use in the restaurant.  We had a lovely dinner and it only cost $6 plus tip.

 

Our only problem was that none of the employees we encountered could explain to us how to walk to the cruise ship.  We just ended up having the bellman grab a taxi for us who charged $8 flat rate to get to check in.

 

I would definitely stay again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, btregoning said:

Saint Greg,

 

Thanks for your update on the Hilton Riverside.

 

My BF and I did end up staying there and had a nice stay for the night.  When we checked in the desk agent asked why we were staying and when I indicated we were on a joint 55th birthday trip, he gave us a $75 credit to use in the restaurant.  We had a lovely dinner and it only cost $6 plus tip.

 

Our only problem was that none of the employees we encountered could explain to us how to walk to the cruise ship.  We just ended up having the bellman grab a taxi for us who charged $8 flat rate to get to check in.

 

I would definitely stay again.


You should’ve asked me about walking to the port.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-walking-to-the-port/

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/17/2019 at 10:44 AM, canes20 said:

We are going on Valor Sept 28 and have Room at Prytania Park for 27th at $116 total and parking at Fulton for the cruise. Have not read all of this post. Saint Greg, would you recommend a different hotel?

 

 Hey can you tell me how you all liked prytania??

 

 I have looked at a ton of different hotels and rates and parking rates trying to figure out what might be the best deal overall for us and  I’ve landed on Prytania i think....... we are staying 2 nights and want to visit French quarter etc.   Two nights is going to cost about $300,  which that includes parking and parking for the length of our cruise.  We will still have to pay whatever it cost an Uber or taxi to get to the port,  I have no idea how to figure out how much that will be as I have never,believe it or not , taken an Uber or a taxi in my life lol

   Looking at different hotels and scenarios even if staying farther away from the French quarter and getting a cheaper hotel it still ends up being almost $400 that way after paying parking at fulton for cruise and driving in parking to visit FQ one day

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, annodal24 said:

 

 Hey can you tell me how you all liked prytania??

 

 I have looked at a ton of different hotels and rates and parking rates trying to figure out what might be the best deal overall for us and  I’ve landed on Prytania i think....... we are staying 2 nights and want to visit French quarter etc.   Two nights is going to cost about $300,  which that includes parking and parking for the length of our cruise.  We will still have to pay whatever it cost an Uber or taxi to get to the port,  I have no idea how to figure out how much that will be as I have never,believe it or not , taken an Uber or a taxi in my life lol

   Looking at different hotels and scenarios even if staying farther away from the French quarter and getting a cheaper hotel it still ends up being almost $400 that way after paying parking at fulton for cruise and driving in parking to visit FQ one day

We were not that impressed. Rooms were so-so. Breakfast was not even worth advertising. We will probably stay at Comfort Inn and Suites next time at still park at Fulton. We did not use Uber or taxi either so have no idea how much that costs. Saint Greg has a blog that has a ton of info on New Orleans. https://saintgregtravel.com/

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Saint Greg,

 

Would you be willing to help me find the most economical/convenient way to spend a couple nights in NO before our 3/29 NCL cruise. We have never been to NO so don't know the area. I saw your post about hotwire and it looks like French/Miss 4* is $159/night for those dates, making it $410.40 for the two nights We will be driving so will need to park for hotel and cruise. Is Fulton garage walking distance to park there for one night hotel parking and the other cruise parking? 

 

Please help! So overwhelmed and we have a courtesy hold on cruise that ends tonight so we need to decide what we are doing before we book cruise. 

 

Thank you, Debbie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, jdbmga said:

Saint Greg,

 

Would you be willing to help me find the most economical/convenient way to spend a couple nights in NO before our 3/29 NCL cruise. We have never been to NO so don't know the area. I saw your post about hotwire and it looks like French/Miss 4* is $159/night for those dates, making it $410.40 for the two nights We will be driving so will need to park for hotel and cruise. Is Fulton garage walking distance to park there for one night hotel parking and the other cruise parking? 

 

Please help! So overwhelmed and we have a courtesy hold on cruise that ends tonight so we need to decide what we are doing before we book cruise. 

 

Thank you, Debbie

 

If you book today make sure you use the code LOVE10 for 10% off.

 

These are the two I would be looking at.

4* 4.2/5- $159 - Hilton Riverside
3.5* 4.1/5 - $159 - Hilton Garden Inn - Convention Center

 

Fortunately I've done pre-cruise stays at both of these hotels. I do have plans to do full reviews of both on my blog but it won't be until after your cruise. 

 

Here's the deal. Both are nice hotels. I prefer Hilton Riverside but Hilton Garden Inn is right next to Fulton Parking Garage. Of course you're NCL. I've never cruised NCL but I think some park in the whale lot which is the parking lot for the mall which is attached to Hilton Riverside. Then again you can book reasonable hotel parking for your two nights at Fulton and I'm not sure you if you can do that at the Whale lot or not. Parking at riverside is going to be double the hotel rate at Fulton. 

 

If you stay at Hilton Riverside. 

positives
It's closer to the french quarter but a little further from the port.
There's a streetcar stop right out front
It has a good seafood restuarant right in the hotel
It's connected to the riverwalk mall
You can walk to the port through the riverwalk mall

 

negative
Hotel parking is more expensive $44/night and it's a little inconvenient to park at Fulton

 

If you stay at Hilton Garden Inn


Right next to Fulton Garage where  you can park for the duration
Just a few blocks from the National WWII museum
Just a few blocks from the St. Charles Streetcar line

 

I recommend this blog entry. This was the day I parked at Fulton, stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, and went to the WWII museum

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-wwii-museum/

 

Actually you may want to look at all of my New Orleans stuff. I have an article on parking, an article on walking to the port, some sight seeing stuff.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/category/port-of-departure/new-orleans/

 

If it were me I'd probably try to have my cake and eat it too. I would probably book Hilton Riverside. Then I would book two nights hotel parking at Fulton. Then I would book cruise parking at Fulton. When I got into town I would pull up to the hotel..I'm assuming you are a married couple here...drop the wife off along with bags. Park at Fulton Garage and walk back to Hilton. Even if you wanted to take an Uber back you'd come out cheaper than parking at the Hilton Riverside.

 

You could either drop off all luggage and take it through the mall to the port on embarkation day..or just take what you need for two days and bring the rest on the fulton shuttle on embarkation day. When I did something similar in August I just took a backpack with me for my two days in New Orleans. Then on Embarkation day I returned to the car to retrieve the beast (my big suitcase) and drop off the previous two days dirty clothes on on embarkation morning...then ride the shuttle to the port.

Here is my blog on parking:


https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-parking/


 

Here is where you can book Fulton parking


www.neworleansparking.com 

 

 

Here is my article on walking to the port. There are two videos in there. One is from the Hilton hotel. Note on that you wouldn't have to do the outside portion. When you get through the food court you go down the elevator to the NCL port. On the one walking from Marriott, as a point of reference the marriott is next to Fulton Garage and though the walk takes you all the way to the carnival port. You will see me point the camera at the NCL port at one point.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-walking-to-the-port/

 

If you do stay at Riverside make sure you try the charbroiled oysters down stairs at Drago's. If you have any questions let me know. I'm happy to help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also posted this on the Gulf Coast Dep. board, hoping Saint Greg will see it...  😁

 

I have done my normal research (of hotel brands & the special rates I can get) for a 2 night hotel stay in NOLA in July before a cruise, and am now hoping that Saint Greg may see this and help me.  ☺️  I have only sailed out of NOLA once, and need all the help I can get!  

Hotel dates:  July 17-19, 2020

Rooms:  Preferably 1 with 2 queens & pullout sofa (we will have 6 in our party...2 adults & 4 college kids).  (Is there a way to even tell if the Priceline/bid type rooms have pullouts?)

** Will have TWO cars with us!

 

Thanks for any help!

Tiffany

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, disneyfan551 said:

Also posted this on the Gulf Coast Dep. board, hoping Saint Greg will see it...  😁

 

I have done my normal research (of hotel brands & the special rates I can get) for a 2 night hotel stay in NOLA in July before a cruise, and am now hoping that Saint Greg may see this and help me.  ☺️  I have only sailed out of NOLA once, and need all the help I can get!  

Hotel dates:  July 17-19, 2020

Rooms:  Preferably 1 with 2 queens & pullout sofa (we will have 6 in our party...2 adults & 4 college kids).  (Is there a way to even tell if the Priceline/bid type rooms have pullouts?)

** Will have TWO cars with us!

 

Thanks for any help!

Tiffany

 

Are you trying to do six people in one room? First off don't mess with priceline. They won't guarantee anything outside of 2 people, 1 bed room. I won't use them unless I'm staying by myself. Hotwire you can select 2 adults, 2 children in your search which will guarantee you a two-bed room. If we can find a room that's an "all-suites" hotel you have a good chance of getting a pull out couch. Some places you can request a rollaway bed. I'll take a look for you dates and see what I can find.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, disneyfan551 said:

Also posted this on the Gulf Coast Dep. board, hoping Saint Greg will see it...  😁

 

I have done my normal research (of hotel brands & the special rates I can get) for a 2 night hotel stay in NOLA in July before a cruise, and am now hoping that Saint Greg may see this and help me.  ☺️  I have only sailed out of NOLA once, and need all the help I can get!  

Hotel dates:  July 17-19, 2020

Rooms:  Preferably 1 with 2 queens & pullout sofa (we will have 6 in our party...2 adults & 4 college kids).  (Is there a way to even tell if the Priceline/bid type rooms have pullouts?)

** Will have TWO cars with us!

 

Thanks for any help!

Tiffany

 

Oh gosh. I typed a whole bunch of stuff and then lost it hitting the wrong key. I knew I shouldn't have done that in the browser. Starting over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, disneyfan551 said:

Also posted this on the Gulf Coast Dep. board, hoping Saint Greg will see it...  😁

 

I have done my normal research (of hotel brands & the special rates I can get) for a 2 night hotel stay in NOLA in July before a cruise, and am now hoping that Saint Greg may see this and help me.  ☺️  I have only sailed out of NOLA once, and need all the help I can get!  

Hotel dates:  July 17-19, 2020

Rooms:  Preferably 1 with 2 queens & pullout sofa (we will have 6 in our party...2 adults & 4 college kids).  (Is there a way to even tell if the Priceline/bid type rooms have pullouts?)

** Will have TWO cars with us!

 

Thanks for any help!

Tiffany

 

The cheapest option on Hotwire is a 2.5* in the Garden District. Now the Garden District isn't walking distance to the French Quarter if that's where you're wanting to go..but this hotel is on the St. Charles streetcar line which will take you there. This one intrigues me because you have a lot of people and you have two cars. The hotel is Prytania Park which has free parking. Free and parking are two words that rarely go together in New Orleans. Now I don't know if you can park two cars there if you only book one room. An option would be to drop people off there, park one car at fulton and take the other car back to the hotel, park it at the hotel for the stay... Then on embarkation day use the car you have at the hotel to drop people/luggage off either at fulton or the port, then park the second car at fulton and ride the shuttle back to the port.

 

Another thing about this hotel. If you read my New Orleans parking blog you already know this..but it has a park and cruise package. Now to get that you would have to book through the hotel. Their rooms range from $139-229 for your nights with the more expensive option being a six person room. You have to book two nights but for that you get seven nights of cruise parking. Here is the link if interested: https://reserve.prytaniaparkhotel.com/packages/PNC?checkin=2020-07-17&checkout=2020-07-19

 

Moving along. The next cheapest option also in the garden district is the Avenue Plaza hotel which is the 3* for $99. Their standard rate would've been $305 for your nights. This one intrigues me because it lists "condo" as an amenity. Visiting their website reveals their room types are a studio with one or two queen beds and a kitchenette or a room with a separate master bedroom containing a queen bed. Then a pullout couch in the other room. As long as you book with 2 adults, 2 children they would have to give you either the two bed room or the one bed, pullout couch room.

 

Moving closer to the port...Warehouse district 

 

4*  $111. This is the Cambria. It looks like you would have a two queen bed room here. You'd probably want to call ahead to see if you can request a rollaway bed upon check-in before booking. 

 

$3.5* for $129 is the Hilton Garden Inn which I mentioned a couple posts up. Benefit here is it's right next to Fulton Garage. It'll be a 2 queen room. 

 

3* for $154 is Staybridge Suites. It would either have two queens or a bedroom with one king then a pullout couch in the living room. Oh apparently it has undergone a name change. It's Hotel Poydras now.  

 

If you stay downtown/french quarter you're going to be away from cruise parking. You could book a cheaper garage in the area of your hotel. Like if you read my the pre-cruise part of my Christmas Dream cruise from 2018. The garage I parked in cheap during the Krewe of Jingle parade. You can get in a garage like that for like cheaper than a hotel or even Fulton. It's too early to book it on those sites now but for a weekend mid march I see that garage for a fri-sun for $24 total. Any hotel is going to charge you $30-50 per car per night.

 

Lets look at downtown they have a few lower priced options. 

 

4* for $112. This is the Renaissance Pere Marquette. Looks like you'd have two double beds there. They do have rollaway beds available on request. 

 

4* boutique for $119. This is Le Pavillion. Historic hotel that's been used in TV and movies. I've seen them filming there before. Interesting thing is they have a tradition of hot chocolate and peanut butter and jelly late at night. So they actually put out a hot chocolate and pb&j buffet at night. That would be a 2 double bed room. 

 

3* $123 Wyndham Garden. This would be a 2 double bed room and it specifies no rollaways avaialble. It does show a picture with a separate area that has a couch. 3.5* for $153 Sonesta ES Suites. This one would have a bedroom with a king bed then a living room with a pull out couch. They do have 2 bedroom rooms that sleep six people but that's probably not what you'd get through a hot rate since you can only pick up to 4 people. 

 

Central downtown

 

3.5* $119 Magnolia. Looks like a 2 queen bed room.

 

4* $129 Intercontinental. Stayed here a few times really nice hotel. It would be a 2 queen room.

 

3.5* boutique $130 Lafayette. It would be a 2 queen room

 

3* $134 La Quinta. It would be a two queen room. Free breakfast here.

 

French Quarter

 

3* boutique $130 Prince Conti. would be a 2 queen room.

 

4* boutique $143 Hyatt Centric. pretty new hotel. I know they were working on it in 2010. one block off bourbon. across from popular restaurant. 2 queens with rollaways available.

 

3.5* $159 St. Marie. 2 queen with rollaways avaiable.

 

 

French quarter-Mississippi River

 

3* $139 Hotel Provincial - I probably wouldn't mess with this one because it's two bed rooms are only 200 square feet. But I have a story about this hotel. One time on a saints gameday the hotel I booked was overbooked. They said they'd find me another room and pay for it. They got me a room at this hotel. The room had a kitchenette, living room, a bedroom with private bath, and a loft with another bed and private bath. It was awesome. I don't know how you would book it. If I go to their website the biggest room they'll offer me for your nights is 2 beds and a sleeper sofa for $255.

 

4* $160 Marriott - 2 double beds


 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
19 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

how long of a walk is it through the mall from the Hilton Riverside NCL terminal?


check this out. I have videos of the walk to the carnival port. But I stop along the way and show you the elevator down to the NCL port. Took me 7mins and 47 seconds in the first video. I have a big Hilton riverside guide coming next month as well.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-walking-to-the-port/

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

52 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:


check this out. I have videos of the walk to the carnival port. But I stop along the way and show you the elevator down to the NCL port. Took me 7mins and 47 seconds in the first video. I have a big Hilton riverside guide coming next month as well.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/new-orleans-walking-to-the-port/

 

 

Thgank You and please let me know when the guide is ready.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Do you know what is going on the weekend of January 9,10, and 11th 2021? I have called a few times and the Hilton Riverside told me they are all booked up. Could the Wizard World Comic Con be that big? If so do you know if the Hilton has a waiting list. We are hopefully going on a cruise leaving Jan. 10 2021 and would like to stay there.

Thank You
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

Do you know what is going on the weekend of January 9,10, and 11th 2021? I have called a few times and the Hilton Riverside told me they are all booked up. Could the Wizard World Comic Con be that big? If so do you know if the Hilton has a waiting list. We are hopefully going on a cruise leaving Jan. 10 2021 and would like to stay there.

Thank You

 

I've been there before during that comicon. The lobby was loaded with characters...literally. I was there for a Saints playoff game and I booked it that week. That was a few years ago. That seems like a lot of rooms to be booked up for that. I wonder if they're trying to control capacity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...