first time to new orleans

Hi everyone

I am going to be staying in Gulf Shores Alabama in May, but have never been to NOLA. We will be able to stay a whole day ansd spend the night there, and some time the next day.

I have no idea where to stay.

We will be driving so I do realize a lot of places have a parking fee.

Here is what looks pretty good so far.

Hotel Provincial--- 92.00 per night free parking

Maison Dupuy ------89.00 half-off parking%26amp; 2 free drinks

Maison St.Charles Quality Inn-----free parking

Hotel St. Marie-------------$69.00 but parking fee

Dauphine---------------------79.00 but parking fee

Omni Royal-------------------$101.00 but parking fee.

Which of these sounds like the best deal.

I would like a place with a pool, a nice courtyard ,

safe area. Don%26#39;t really care if it is close to Bourbon or not.

Also, can anyone tell me if any of the ghost tours,

operate on week nights?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Kat

first time to new orleans

Kat, first of all be prepared to fall in love with NOLA. It%26#39;s unlike any other city in the US, especially the French Quarter. The St. Marie%26#39;s location is great. Just north of bourbon. A 1 minute walk and you will be strolling Bourbon street. For the price you listed, even with the parking fee is good. What kind of room is it? If you can get a balcony room somewhere-that would be prefered. Having breakfast on your balcony is an amazing experience when the quarter is quiet.

Yes, all the major ghost tours operate during the week nights. Mondays are kind of a quiet day in the quarter though.

first time to new orleans

Parking generally runs $20-25 a night in NOLA. The Provincial is well located and has a pool,Maison Dupuy, St. Marie, Dauphine and Omni Royal are all well located ,and are safe. The Quarter is @ 12 blocks square, so most of the hotels will be well located.

Drive to the hotel and then park the car and walk everywhere. There is no reason to drive around the Quarter and parking is at a premium. Unless you have a residential parking pass, the limit is two hours in the spaces anyway, and the tickets are expensive. You might look at neworleansonline.com for other hotels, restaurants and upcoming events, plus coupons!

i%26#39;ve stayed at the Maison Dupuy a few times and really enjoy it. Excellent, easy access to hotel and parking from the highway, great, large pool/courtyard, and wonderful location!

Bloody Mary%26#39;s tours operate most every night, i%26#39;d really suggest you use her as she is an excellent storyteller, practicing voodoo priestess and lifelong NoLA resident. Her stories never seem canned or scripted (as the grayline tour guide i used did-he literally stopped in the middle of his story, lost his place and started up again from the beginning-yikes!)

www.bloodymarystours.com

have a blast!

-k

Agree with all of the above; don%26#39;t be surprised if you decide to stay more than a night...great place to visit-too much fun for 30 hours.

Out of the list, I would choose the Omni Royal Orleans or the Maison Dupuy. The Omni is one of my favorite hotels in the French Quarter and has a great location!

I%26#39;d choose the Provincial or St. Marie if you want New Orleans charm, more elegance is the Omni Royal but to be closer to pick up the tours I%26#39;d go with the St. Marie or Omni.

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