Aloha, can anyone make some reccommendation for my trip to New Orleans? Jan. 31 ‘08 – Feb. 6 ‘08?
for part of our trip we’ll be staying with a friends. but I’d love to get a room closer to the festivities for two or three nights. Where can i book that won’t break the bank? Will I miss something if I book a room during the week instead of the weekend? Thannk you so much for your help..Aloha.
February 16th, 2009 at 5:08 am
If you don’t already have a room in the French Quarter, good luck. They are usually reserved 3 to 5 years in advance. If you have transportation or are renting a car, stay in LaPlace. It’s only about 15 miles from Metarie but less crowded and ALOT safer. New Orleans is still a very dangerous city so be careful about where you go. Stay on the Jackson Square side of Bourbon Street and you should be fine. And don’t wander off alone.
I would suggent the Endymion. Go to the corner of St. Charles and Common Streets. It is the best place. There is a bar called the Blue Marlin right off the corner on Common Street that servers drinks, good food, and most importantly, has restrooms.
Bring a light jacket or sweater. Even though it’s winter, it can still get to 80 degrees during the day and drop to the 40’s at night.
I would DEFINATELY suggest going to “Pat O’Briens” off of Bourbon Street. The best and original Hurricanes. Stay away from the Graveyard tours. In my opinion they suck.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Mardi Gras is Feb 5 ‘08. That’s an important bit of information.
The festivities start two Friday’s before Mardi Gras (Jan 25), and build to a climax on Mardi Gras day (Tuesday Feb 5).
You can try the regular web sites: Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz.
I just looked up Expedia for Saturday night thru Wednesday night (5 nights)
Here’s one: The Ritz-Carlton. On Canal St one block from Bourbon Street. On Expedia, 5 nights (Sat-Wed), average $325/night
February 18th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I agree with a lot of stuff lance said except that you don’t have to book a room years in advance (several months though is usually good.) And while there’s nothing wrong with LaPlace and Metairie and other suburbs, your whole point is that you want to be “in the thick of things”.
To answer your other question, there’s just as much going on during the week as during the weekend around Mardi Gras time.
Have fun!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
You will be right smack dab in the middle of Mardi Gras’ highest point. So your room rates will be higher.
I quickly checked the Inn on Bourbon and they have rates on the 31st for as low as $129, but they spike up on the Friday night to $269. Also, during this time, almost all hotels will require a 3 night stay.
The Astor Crown Plaza Hotel … right in the middle of all the fun, still has rooms for that time for $179. I did a quick check for 1/31/08 checking out 2/3/08. Here is their web site:
I have stayed here and it is very nice.
Also, Le Cirque is extremely nice, and about 5 blocks from the Quarter. They also still have rooms available in the $179 range.
Be careful where you book your rooms. If you have friends that live here, have them give you suggestions as to which areas are safe and which are not.
I wouldn’t wait too much longer to book your rooms, very soon they will not be any more availabilities, except for the less than desirable places.
As with any vacation you take, be smart about where you wander off too, stay in the public eye all the time. Mardi Gras is fabulous and you will have a wonderful time you will recall for your lifetime.