Going to Mardi Gras 2010. Need help with hotels.

We (2-4 ladies) are going to the Mardi Gras 2010. We want to stay for four nights (2/13-2/17). First choice is Astor Crowne Plaza and second is JW Marriott. At this time, there%26#39;s no availability. I went online and called the hotels specifically. Don%26#39;t know if it%26#39;s too early to book or that they%26#39;re really full already. If we can%26#39;t get one of these, what else do you recommend? Have been told about a few others (Place d%26#39;Armes, Prince Conti, Le Richelieu, and Bourbon Orleans), but have no idea which one is best. We want to be in the heart of things so we can walk, but we also want to be in a safe hotel as well. Thanks!

Going to Mardi Gras 2010. Need help with hotels.

For easy access to parades, you might try Quarter House on Chartres St. in the Quarter, about 1/2 block from the parade route on Canal St. It is a timeshare resort, but they rent rooms as well. Our week this year was the first weekend/week of Mardi Gras 2009, and boy was it nice to have easy access to a potty just steps away from the parade route!! It was also great to have two seperate bedrooms, plus a sleeper sofa for our party of five. This place is not for you if you want a ';cookie-cutter'; type hotel. Think exposed brick interior walls and a nice, but small courtyard. The courtyard has a small pool and hot-tub. The hot-tub was wonderful for our tired feet!!

My husband and I also enjoyed staying at the Hampton Inn on Carondelet St. for Mardi Gras in 2008. Again, easy access to the parade route on Canal and St. Charles. This hotel is about 1 1/2 blocks from Canal St. on the Uptown side, so it%26#39;s a short walk back to your room to grab a sweater or make a bathroom run! The rooms are great, and I think they have suites that might be a good bet for the four of you.

While we love Place D%26#39;Armes, it is a longer walk to the parade routes since it is right in the middle of the French Quarter, so we usually stay here when we visit in the summer because it%26#39;s closer to the Esplanade side of the Quarter; i.e Frenchmens St., French market, Coop%26#39;s, etc...

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