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Mardi Gras Hotels / New Orleans Hotel Reviews / Hotel Deals / → All Tags

Mardi Gras Hotels: Try the Saint Louis Mardi Gras Deal

Where: 730 Rue Bienville [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130

With the official Mardi Gras website showing a fast disappearing countdown until the huge New Orleans fest kicks off, it's definitely time you firmed up your hotel booking. The parades run from January 25 through February 5 and a lot of hotels already have limited availability on that final weekend, but there are still rooms to be had.

At the Saint Louis Hotel in the French Quarter, they're running a special Mardi Gras package deal which starts at $199 per night. The deal includes complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres every evening before you hit the town, a gift of your very own Mardi Gras throws, plus breakfast included each day served either in your room or in the hotel courtyard.

The location of the Saint Louis is great, only half a block from Bourbon Street and walking distance from many key attractions of New Orleans. Plus the price is reasonable, especially during Mardi Gras--but recent guest reviews have been very mixed, with some promising never to stay there again and others planning to return every year as they always have. Presumably at Mardi Gras you won't be spending much time in your hotel room anyway, so it's probably worth the risk.

[Photo: mshplover]

Killer View / New Orleans Hotel Reviews / Sheraton Hotels / → All Tags

Room with a Killer View: Sheraton New Orleans

Where: 500 Canal Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130

We are suckers for a room with a killer view.  We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.

Sheratons may look fugly on the outside but the Sheraton New Orleans has a pretty good view of the city's Canal Street as this picture from Room 1031 shows. Granted, it was taken by a seemingly professional photographer using a tripod and a bulb setting but nonetheless it beats a brick wall. Word on the street is the other side of the hotel has views of the river. Also, it seems to be the go-to hotel for conferences so maybe use your SPG points somewhere else if you are headed here for pleasure.

Related Stories:
· Amber Bradley's photostream [Flickr]
· Sheraton New Orleans reviews [TripAdvisor]

HotelChatter Questions / Kimpton Hotels / New Orleans Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

HotelChatter Question Answered: Hotel Monaco New Orleans to Become a Hilton

Where: 335 St. Charles Avenue [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130

At the end of last week, we got a question about the Hotel Monaco in New Orleans. For the recap, our reader asked:

I noticed that the Monaco New Orleans, which used to be part of Kimpton, is no longer a Monaco/Kimpton Hotel. Any idea what became of it?

Back then, we didn't have the exact answer except that the hotel was under construction. Yet Hotel Maven Dzot managed to find the answer:

Apparently Hilton acquired it. It's to be called the Hilton/St. Charles Avenue. They are accepting reservations starting 5/1.

There's no other info on the Hilton site except that standard Hilton amenities apply. Which is a shame because people seemed to like the Kimpton goldfish.

Thanks, Dzot! Remember, if any of you have burning hotel questions to ask, send 'em our way.

Related Stories:
· HotelChatter Question: What Happened to Hotel Monaco New Orleans? [HotelChatter]

Mardi Gras Hotels / Hotel Deals / New Orleans Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Maison de Ville Hotel Still Has Rooms for Mardi Gras

Where: 727 Rue Toulouse [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130

Hotel Maison de Ville is celebrating New Orleans' legendary Mardi Gras celebration with somewhat lowered rates for the days before Feb. 20th.

And luckily for us, Mardi Gras hotel rooms do not cost as much as Super Bowl hotel rooms. Standard rooms start at $219, queens at $239 and the two-bedroom cottages are going for $699 a night. However, there is a three night minimum.

We found rooms open from Monday Feb. 19 through Wednesday, with the third night being much cheaper since its after Mardi Gras.

Just remember, as we reported last fall the place may be haunted by a country-music-loving ghost.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Maison de Ville reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Haunted Hotels :: Hotel Maison De Ville [HotelChatter]

Hotel Hell / New Orleans Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Hotel Le Cirque Means Roach Hotel in Cajun

Where: 936 St. Charles Avenue, At Lee Circle [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130

[Ed. Note: A FOH--friend of HotelChatter--recently spent two nights in New Orleans at the Hotel Le Cirque and apparently he didn't read the TripAdvisor reviews on the place, which would have helped him avoid the hotel's insect problem. Read on if you dare.]

I paid $120 the first night here and $100 the second night. The staff was so unfriendly. I  got in at 1am and it's cold outside. The front door is locked and I am holding my suitcase and the guy at the front desk chimed in and asked what I am doing. After a minute or so he finally unlocks the door. Weirdo.

Then there were [redacted] bugs in my bathroom. Most likely all over the room. The mini-fridges were missing, the halls were dirty and I saw roaches darting into rooms as I walked down the hall. I called their GM like three times and she hasn't called me back. It was really gross and for them to claim its upscale? Pleeaaase.