Trip Report - Holiday Inn French Quarter

[KVR]

We did a long weekend land vacation, but thought our report might be helpful for planning pre/post cruise vacations.

 

New Orleans Nov. 12 - 15, 2004

 

 

Holiday Inn French Quarter - Great location on Royal Street. Close to restaurants, shops and 1 block over from Bourbon Street. Within walking distance to all the area bar and attractions. We arrived at 10:00 am. Expected to just leave our bags with the front desk and start our day. Was surprised that our room was ready and we were given the key. We were on the 10th floor. No direct view from the room except tops of the surrounding buildings. However, it was on the same floor as the indoor pool, so very convenient. The room had 2 double beds. (we would have preferred 1 king, but no big deal) Typical Motel 6 type acommendations. The room was clean and the maid service kept it that way. The toilet did overflow on the 2nd day, but we called and they came and fixed it/cleaned the bathroom quickly. The hotel could stand for some updating, but in all it was fine and due to the location, wouldn't hesitate staying there again. The indoor pool was nice. On the small side though. Rectangle shape. Heated, but could have been heated a little more. We never saw anybody use it or the connecting fitness room. We swam one evening for about an hour. Would have been better if it had a whirlpool.

 

Restaurants

 

Acme Oyster House - We loved this restaurant and ate their twice. Their catfish and fried shrimp plate was wonderful. Ordered a side of red beans and rice and of course oysters on the half shell. Very good. Their cocktail sauce was flavored perfectly. Also had the soft shell crab. Didn't quite care for that. I'm sure it's an acquired taste. The oyster Po-Boy very good. The pecan pie for dessert was the best. Tasted buttery with a hint of sugared liquor. The place is consistently packed with a line outside on the sidewalk to get in. We went both times at 11:00 am when the doors opened, so no problem getting a table. Service was on the slow side. I asked several times for limes and they never came. Finally went to the bar and got them myself.

 

Commander's Palace Jazz Brunch - This is the only restaurant we had to take a cab to get to. $10 each way. The restaurant is very nicely appointed. The open air patio and garden are beautiful. We were disappointed that we were not able to eat on the patio as brunch was served in the main dining room. The tables all held balloon centerpieces and a trio jazz band played throughout the meal. We liked that they weren't too loud or obtrusive. We ordered the traditional jazz brunch which included Bloody Mary's, poached egg on artichoke hearts with spinach hollandaise sauce, baked quail with blue crab oyster stuffing and bread pudding soufflé. We were told upfront that the Bloody Mary listed with the traditional brunch was not included in the $33.00 price. We also ordered Mimosas, which were wonderful. A nice experience. After brunch we walked across the street to the Lafayette Cemetery. The cemetery is closed on Sundays, but we were able to see a variety of memorials through the gates.

 

The Bombay Club - We enjoyed the atmosphere of this restaurant/bar. The martinis are quite good. We had white chocolate raspberry martinis with chocolate shavings around the rim. More like a liquored dessert than an martini, but it was yummy. Also had Oysters Rockefeller, Southwestern Chili and crème brulee. Next time, we would probably just stop by for after dinner drinks.

 

Muriel's - Had lunch and it was wonderful. We ordered eggplant crepes stuffed with cheese in a tomatoe puree and a grilled chicken salad, which had the most tasty spicy balsamic vinegar dressing. The service was quite slow though.

 

Pat O'Briens - We decided to have dinner there on our first night and then stay for the piano bar. We ordered steak tournedos and grilled salmon. Both were excellent. The steak was served with the most creamiest flavored mashed potatoes and was wonderful. We also ordered the infamous Hurricanes. I thought they tasted terrible, but DH liked them and drank them both. The service was terribly slow. I asked 3 times for a glass of water and it never came. We thought the piano bar area was too small and of course crowded, so we went to Howl at the Moon piano bar instead and had a blast.

 

Creole Queen Dinner Cruise - While researching this trip, I got a lot of feed back to not do the dinner cruise. However, we thought the cruise was wonderful. They had a open buffet with several selections including Caesar salad, two pasta dishes, garlic chicken type gumbo served with rice, steamed vegetables, pan fried potatoes, rolls, roast beef with horseradish sauce, and bread pudding. We enjoyed the food very much. They had a trio jazz band that played during and after dinner for dancing. The air was chilly outside on deck, so didn't spend to much time out there plus it was quite dark, so couldn't really see anything anyway.

 

Cafe Dumond - Was disappointed to find out that the beignets are just like the funnel cakes we get here at home. Though they are quite good, we were expecting something different from the rave reviews.

 

Entertainment -

 

We went to the Audubon Aquarium and enjoyed it very much. It has a very nice inside rainforest, the Riverwalk Mall, Harrahs - lost $100 playing video poker though. Disappointed that they only had slot and VP machines and tables. No keno lounge like in Las Vegas. Strolled through Jackson Square, the French Market, Bourbon Street and the surrounding streets. We stopped by the Carousal Bar for a before dinner drink. Don't drink too much and try to get on/off the bar stool, since the bar rotates. They offered complimentary hot hors d'oevres, which were quite good, but you have to go early to get any. We went on a swamp tour, which was very interesting. It was too cool to see any alligators, but we saw plenty of birds and raccoons. They did let us hold a baby alligator before the trip started. Ate breakfast at the Hotel Montleone before the tour at Le Cafe, which was very good. It's cheaper to order off the menu than eat the buffet. Also went on a walking Haunted History tour through the French Quarter/Market area. It was quite interesting and our tour guide, Catherine, was very knowledgeable and entertaining with her stories. Next time will do the cemetery tour, which is in the evening.

 

This was our first trip to New Orleans and we enjoyed it very much. The weather was quite cool and sometimes windy, but didn't effect us walking throughout the French Quarter. Didn't experience any problems with crowds on Bourbon Street or feelings of insecurity. Everyone we met was quite nice and the food everywhere was just wonderful. We will definitely return. We have pictures on our web-site at:

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

[jillybean2]

Cliff and Kelly,

 

Great review. We will be in New Orleans for a few days at the end of November before our cruise. It was great to hear your opinion on the different activities and restaurants! Thanks !