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Tag: New Orleans Hotel Scene View All Tags

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Inside the New Orleans Marriott

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 555 Canal Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130
January 22, 2009 at 4:45 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

A few months ago, Juliana spent some time in New Orleans checking out the city's still-booming business of live music, haunted tours and good cookin' all the while still maintaining its ability to overserve visitors on Bourbon Street (and pretty much everywhere else.) We've uncovered some old footage that we forgot to air. Blame it on the booze, you're probably right.

We had no idea that when we checked into the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans that it had over 1,000 rooms in two different towers. Nor did we know it had a Starbucks inside or free WiFi in the lobby. Fortunately for you, we figured all those things out during our three-day stay here.

We arrived in town during Voodoo Fest and our nerves were already a little frazzled thanks to a malfunctioning plane. Don't worry, the mechanics fixed it up and we were on our merry way, three hours later. But of course, Voodoo Fest is not really about Voodoo, just music. Still, we wondered what it meant that the hotel is located on 555 Canal Street and we were given room 555. Ah...welcome to the mysterious city of New Orleans.

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Austin Scarlett Dandifies W French Quarter with Bridal Fashion Show

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 316 Chartres Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130
November 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM | by JetSetCD | 0 Comments

Proving that former Project Runway contestants can score some good gigs post-show, fop extraordinaire Austin Scarlett showed nineteen wedding looks in the romantic courtyard of the W Hotel French Quarter. In addition to being great exposure for the young designer, the show raised money for Sweet Home New Orleans, a non-profit agency that offers social services and financial assistance to New Orleans musicians.

With the hotel's lush courtyard awash in W's signature purple lighting and many cabanas filled with eager brides-to-be, the W French Quarter evoked a bit of the fantasy for which New Orleans is known. Of course, W Hotels wants you to hold your wedding at one of their hotels and so the night served as a sample of how magical you could look wearing a designer dress and surrounded by paparazzi.

Considering that this is the same hotel which in the past has brought us events like Bikini Brunch and Scary Movie Night, we hope something dramatic and scandalous went down. It wouldn't be like Austin Scarlet to have a normal party.

W French Quarter room rates from $149 a night.

[Austin Scarlett image via EvilBeetGossip; Wedding dress via W Hotels]

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Ritz-Carlton New Orleans for $100 a Night

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 921 Canal Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70112
November 18, 2008 at 2:02 PM | by juliana | 2 Comments

The Ritz-Carlton NOLA's Anniversary Rate
$100 a night

This might be the lowest rate we have ever seen for a Ritz-Carlton ever. The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Maison Blanche building, which houses the Ritz, by offering guests a $100 room rate. Seriously!

The rate is only valid through Dec. 14-18 and does not include taxes. The deal is also based on availability.

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Renaissance Pere Marquette Surprises Us With a Boutique Look

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 817 Common Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70112
November 17, 2008 at 4:30 PM | by juliana | 1 Comment

Last month, Juliana recently spent a few days in New Orleans checking out the city's still-booming business of live music, haunted tours and good cookin' all the while still maintaining its ability to overserve visitors on Bourbon Street (and pretty much everywhere else.) This week, she'll be sending back some thoughts on the hotel scene.

A person once asked us what they thought of Marriott's Renaissance brand and we couldn't answer the question. Simply because we had no idea what Renaissance was about other than a fuzzy notion of an outdated hotel near an airport.

But walking into the Renaissance Pere Marquette in New Orleans was nothing like those airport hotels from the 80s. Why? Because the hotel was the beneficiary of a $5 million renovation last year and now the place looks like--dare we say it?--a W hotel.

Yes, Marriott Hotels is trying to revamp its lagging Renaissance brand and turn it into their boutique brand.

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Trump Still Coming to the Big Easy?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 555 Poydras Street [map], New Orleans, LA, United States
October 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM | by juliana | 2 Comments

We could hardly believe our eyes during a ride through New Orleans' Central Business District when at a stoplight, we noticed a sign for a Trump International Hotel & Tower. Trump in the Big Easy? Say it ain't so.

Apparently, the project was conceived before Hurricane Katrina hit but after the storm, Trump remained committed to building here. However, building is the operative word. While groundbreaking was supposed to happen over the summer, we saw nothing but a parking lot full of cars.

But for those of you who can stand the long wait, when the building is completed it will have 435 guestrooms and 290 residences.

We can't actually believe we're saying this but if Trump does build here, it will be one of the city's more modern and luxurious buildings which we probably wouldn't mind at all. So long as Donald and his spawn don't wear those silly Mardi Gras masks like they do during the hotel website's intro page. (Photos after the jump.)

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Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar and Rooftop Pool

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 214 Rue Royale [map], New Orleans, LA, United States, 70130
October 27, 2008 at 1:27 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Juliana recently spent a few days in New Orleans checking out the city's still-booming business of live music, haunted tours and good cookin' all the while still maintaining its ability to overserve visitors on Bourbon Street (and pretty much everywhere else.) This week, she'll be sending back some thoughts on the hotel scene.

When one thinks of New Orleans, two things probably come to mind--Hurricane Katrina and Bourbon Street. While the city is in the midst of rebuilding the areas damaged by Katrina as well as rebuilding its morale, liquor has been a constant.

And it's served everywhere without judgment. You can just as easily order a beer at 9am as you can at 4am without anyone wondering when you are going to pick up the Big Blue Book. In fact, they might join you.

For first-time visitors to Nawlins', the first stop for liquor tends to be the touristy Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. With so many people planning their trip around the drinking schedule, it's no wonder that so many of the city's hotels are clustered here, many with their own special watering holes.

A classic place to have a drink is the famed Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone on Rue Royale. Pretty much everyone who's been to New Orleans recommends a drink here. The bar is located on the hotel's first floor and as its name implies, is a carousel that rotates slowly, except instead of sitting on whimsical horses, guests sit on plush high-back stools.

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