Hotel Advice in New Orleans please...

[Oklahomasue]

We will be spending the night in NO before leaving on our cruise. I was thinking of the Riverside Hilton since it is right next to the port. I also understand it has the trolley route right in front of it. I have read good reviews and bad on the hotel. Has anyone ever stayed there? If so, any suggestions? If anyone has a hotel they have stayed in and liked I would appreciate the info. We will be traveling by car so an inside parking would be needed. Thanks!!:)

[TML1101]

The Hilton Riverside is in a great location. Right next to the Riverwalk, and a very short walking distance to the Aquarium, Riverboats (Natchez is my fav), and Harrah's casino. The streetcar line runs right next to it as well. Two good restaurants very close to this hotel are Mother's and Mulates. If you go to Mother's, you must try the Jambalaya - it is the best.

 

I have never stayed in the hotel, but have been in it before. Their sports bar makes a mean bloody mary but they are slightly pricey.

 

My fiance and I will be staying at this hotel Saturday night and I can let you know how the rooms were and service etc...

 

If you have any other questions, let me know!

[Oklahomasue]

Thanks so much! Please do report back. Also since this is our first time in NO and we will have small children, I understand that there are certain areas we do not want to walk in....such as Bourbon Street. I understand there are lots of sexual type images. Let me know if you find this to be true. Thanks again!!

[TML1101]

I noticed that you are new to the boards - welcome! For additional help, you could try looking for info about New Orleans in the Ports of Call section and you can check out the Roll Call area to see if anyone is going on the same cruise as you.

 

The Ports of Call section will also be helpful in finding info on the places that you will be visiting!

[Mysticks1]

The Riverside is good location to the IMAX/Aquarium and the Riverwalk. If you want closer to Bourbon St for bars, etc. You might try the Astor Crowne Plaza. I stayed there a couple of months ago. The side door opens out onto Bourbon St. It is at the corner with Canal St. A couple of blocks north of the Riverside. I used BookIt.com and it was the 3 star Mystery Hotel that I received but I don't know if that is currently the case. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor.com before booking any hotel in New Orleans. Some that you think would be really good have bad reviews.

[TML1101]

Definetly don't bring you kiddies to Bourbon Street:eek: !

 

If you will have your kids with you, the Aquarium is a great choice. Also, the Hilton Riverside is close to the NO children's museum which is on Julia Street (very close to the HR). I have a 5 year old and we go all the time bc we have a membership.

 

If you would like to see Bourbon Street, you could take a carriage ride through it. We recently did this with my daughter and it wasn't too bad. We passed one bar that has some pornographic pics in the windows but we went by too quick for her to notice. It was a nice tour that I would do again.

[Mysticks1]

Thanks so much! Please do report back. Also since this is our first time in NO and we will have small children, I understand that there are certain areas we do not want to walk in....such as Bourbon Street. I understand there are lots of sexual type images. Let me know if you find this to be true. Thanks again!!

 

If you have kids Bourbon Street is a place to avoid. IMHO it is not a place for kids in the daytime much less at night. There are pictures in the windows of some of the Adult Clubs that you definitely don't want your kids to see. The street that runs parallel with the river(name escapes me) is okay for children. The French Market is along it as well as the Cathedral and Jackson Square and several restaurants. The French Market Café is one of my favorites because you can eat outside and people watch. Don't miss Café' Dumonde which is along that street also for beignet's and cafe au lait.

[scottyo72]

This is a fairly extensive and recent threat about NOLA and families.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=566947

To summarize, there are plenty of things for families to do and just a few to avoid. I'm always disturbed to see younger kids on Buorbon St. Royal St. is one block closer to the river and has some of the most amazing and classy shopping in town.

 

I have stayed at the Hilton, and it was fine.

 

Thanks so much! Please do report back. Also since this is our first time in NO and we will have small children, I understand that there are certain areas we do not want to walk in....such as Bourbon Street. I understand there are lots of sexual type images. Let me know if you find this to be true. Thanks again!!

[shunga]

By the way, Drago's (one the VERY best seafood restaurants in NOLA) has opened a branch in the Hilton. We plan our trips to the southshore around lunch or dinner at the Fat City location. If you like fresh seafood, these are the people to see.

[TML1101]

I am back from our weekend in New Orleans and the room and hotel were both great. Check-in is at 3, but we went in early at noon and were able to get a room with no problems. We were on the 10th floor facing the river, which was nice. The room was clean and very spacious. I would definetly recommend that you stay here.

 

When you walk out the main door, the streetcar stop is right there. This will be helpful if you want to check-out Jackson Square or Cafe DuMonde because it is a bit of a walk. There is a concierge desk by the main door that can help you with any info needed.

 

 

 

 

[Oklahomasue]

:) Thanks for remembering to respond back. Thanks for the pictures. I have read that there are a few things to ask for when renting a room at the Hilton. 1. Ask for an upper room 2. Ask for one away from the elevators, and the ice machines. 3. Be sure not to get a price-line room. They said those were rooms in the old riverfront building. Of course I haven't a clue what that means.:confused: I read that any of the rooms from the 14th floor up are really nice ones. Your room on the 10th floor looks nice. How much did they charge? I like the idea of having one that faces the river. Thanks everyone for responding.

[TML1101]

We didn't pay anything for the room. Harrah's sent us a coupon!

 

If you go to the website at Harrahs.com and click on hot deals, they have a 99.00 rate on some nights. It only goes to August right now, though.

 

Another option that Harrahs.com will give you is The Wyndham Riverfront which is also very close to the port and across the street from the Riverwalk. We stayed there about 2 months ago and the rooms were very nice, but not as big as the Hilton. If I had to choose, I would pick the Hilton again over the Wyndham because of its convenient location next to the streetcar.

[ebedore]

We stayed at the Embassey Suites and it was SO CONVENIENT to the Julia Street Port. We walked three blocks toward the river and we were in the terminal. Some people said that you would have to lug the bags upstairs but no you do not. The terminal is on the sidewalk level and you simply cross the trolley tracks and hand your luggage to the porters, that's it. Could not have been easier.

 

At Embassey you are two blocks form the main street and then the mall is between that street and the river. I chose them becuase you get a suite at a reasonable price and I was pleased.

[Crichard]

I live in New Orleans and have been to the Embassy and the Hilton. Both of those are great. They are in good neighborhoods. If you need to ask me any questions about the area, feel free to send me an email crichard@cox.net.

Enjoy your visit to our city.

Cathy

[jclowensen]

Windsor Court is one of my favorite hotels in the world. A nice oasis from Bourbon Street.:rolleyes:

[BrendaB1]

The Riverside is good location to the IMAX/Aquarium and the Riverwalk. If you want closer to Bourbon St for bars, etc. You might try the Astor Crowne Plaza. I stayed there a couple of months ago. The side door opens out onto Bourbon St. It is at the corner with Canal St. A couple of blocks north of the Riverside. I used BookIt.com and it was the 3 star Mystery Hotel that I received but I don't know if that is currently the case. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor.com before booking any hotel in New Orleans. Some that you think would be really good have bad reviews.

 

I just used bookit.com & got St Louis Hotel as the 3 star Mystery hotel for a June stay. Hilton-Riverside is nice. I have stayed there many times in the past.

[amlandry]

By all means, avoid Bourbon Street with your children. If you haven't already booked, you might want to stay at the Homewood Suites on Poydras. The only thing is that they have an adjacent lot, not a covered lot. It is in a nice section of town though. The aquarium and children's museum are good choices. There is also the national holocost/WWII museum. You might also enjoy a streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue if you enjoy beautiful architecture. If the Hilton has covered parking, I think you'd be most pleased with the location.

[mariemorgan]

Does the Hilton or Embassy offer free parking for the duration of the cruise?

[kellyannecv]

for pre and post cruise deals on hotels in new orleans go to www.neworleanscvb.com/travelagent we always stay at the holiday inn on royal. around the corner from everything on bourbon and you can leave your car in their parking garage for duration of the cruise free.