Can anyone recommend a cool unique hotel in New Orleans for the summer? Preferably close to the music scene...
THANKS!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008-04-24 06:54 by whitem8.

Having been there twice in the last four years including Mardi Gras last year I can wholeheartedly recommend The Royal Omni in the French Quarter. It has a great rock'n'roll history and had a Led Zepp song named after it on Presence. It's a block away from Bourbon Street but not so near that you can't get a decent night's sleep. You are never far away from any of the action - just a few minutes walk from the 'Sippi and also near The House Of Blues, a great music venue. There's a great record shop opposite The House of Blues too. A must visit venue. Very jealous. It's taken over from San Fran as my favourite city in the world. London's pretty cool too but I grew up there so it doesn't count. BTW, be careful when you leave the French Quarter as the crime rate is high and you may get mugged if you flash your camera or wallet. I found the best bars away from Bourbon Street which was a bit too touristy although Fritzells is cool if you like old time jazz. The best part of town for me is Frenchman's and there's a cool bar there called The Spotted Cat - Frenchman Street. It's opposite one of the best bars in the world called dba which has about 300 beers from all over the world including sledgehammer Belgian brews.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2008-04-24 14:04 by Silver Dagger.

royal sonesta is a good one too. Right in the middle of everything.

Haven't been there for awhile but last time stayed at the "W" hotel (Starwood Group) and really liked it. Check [www.tripadvisor.com] for prices, exact locations, photo's, and client comments/ratings - it's a great website for hotels the world over......

[www.neworleansonline.com]

The music scene is all over town, but the French Quarter & downtown are pretty central to anything that's going on.
A good bar to meet real French Quarter locals is Harry's Corner on Dumaine & Chartres St.
The Chart Room on the corner of Bienville & Chartres is a great place to cool off after a show at the House of Blues, just a couple of blocks around the corner from HOB.
If you find yourself needing a ride somewhere, call United Cabs, 504-522-9771.

I second the Omni, perfect location.

There used to be music all over town (I lived there years ago and lived uptown in the Garden District). I'm not sure if it's still around but there used to be this great place for music called 'Bennie's'. It's on the corner of Camp & Valence. Keith has been there! In the 60 Minutes piece with Ed Bradley (1994?) they show Keith and his bodyguard going into the club.

And when you drink beer in New Orleans, be sure to drink Dixie!

We stayed at Chateau LeMoyne a couple years ago.
[www.hiclneworleanshotelsite.com]


IORR............but I like it!

I usually look for a bar with enough room to sleep on the floor. Why waste money on a hotel?

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mcparty
And when you drink beer in New Orleans, be sure to drink Dixie!

Hard to find in the bars anymore! Pick some up at Rouse's grocery (used to be A&P) on Royal & St. Peter St.

Take the streetcar past Tulane University to the Camellia Grill. Great food, fascinating people. You'll want to go back.

THANKS everyone for the great recommendations. I will be there for four days in July with my dad and brother, and want to be near the music. The Omni looks special!

Here is a couple of good links for the music around town:

[listings.bestofneworleans.com]

[www.offbeat.com]

And do not forget to save room for a Lucky Dog!

Wow! The Omni is asking $279 US a night! EEEK! That seems very expensive. Will have to look elsewhere...

Hey, whitem8!
I don't know much about the local hotels, never had to use them since I live here, but perhaps a bed & breakfast might be a good option.
Check out this place [www.rbgh.com]
It is in the residential area of the French Quarter, within walking distance of the entire Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny.
Once again, I cannot recommend a particular place over another, but this could be an option.

Thanks so much! Not sure if my Dad and Brother would be into a B and B, I love them!
I was also recommended the Cornstalk Hotel and the Maison St. Charled, both in the French Quarter.
Thanks again! I am looking forward to visiting your frare city! My first time! I am from Detroit, but living in Singapore and have the summers off and come back to the states...and am always looking for a good trip to take my brother and dad on ...thanks again!

This is what New Orleans is all about...except for the music.

[www.flickr.com]

Bienville House was is a fairly reasonable nice place in a good section (at least when I stayed there it was reasonable).

Hey whitem8, how are you getting to New Orleans?

Flying from Detroit...going on July 3rd, haven't booked the ticket yet...waiting to hear from my Dad and Bro... and I have to fly out from NO on the 7th to LA to fly back to Asia.

Be sure to read 'Confederacy of Dunces' before you go!!!

Any hotel downtown or near the quarter is good. I doubt you'll spend much time there anyway. All the cabs are only a few dollars and for the most part you can walk anywhere.

The idea of a good bar floor will be more and more pleasant the later the night gets!

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whitem8
Wow! The Omni is asking $279 US a night! EEEK! That seems very expensive. Will have to look elsewhere...

check this: [www.ichotelsgroup.com]


IORR............but I like it!

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whitem8
Flying from Detroit...going on July 3rd

So you're going to be here on the Fourth of July? Perhaps that's why you're finding high hotel prices.

Here's another link to help you plan your holiday:

[www.go4thontheriver.com]

It's not updated for this year yet, so keep checking it.

THANKS!
Yeah I am sure that is why, fourth of July...but I notice that even on non holiday periods the halfway decent places are still quite expensive...I had read there were great deals to be had because they are trying to promote post Katrina...
But you know you only live once! AND just do it and enjoy, and I will pay for it later:-)

Benny's, and it had a few other names, is now a house.

The interview with Keith was done at the Maple Leaf I've been told. Never saw the footage of him going into a bar.

Ronnie got up on stage with Stavin' Chain at Tips and played Grayson's Tele for two versions of Hideaway. Mick and Keith were in the crowd.

Under 20,000 at the Supe for that tour, Voodoo. Probably the reason they've never come back. Bought my ticket the day of the show. Sat pretty much where I felt like it. The show was OK.

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whitem8
...I had read there were great deals to be had because they are trying to promote post Katrina...

Tourism in N.O. is almost at the the level it was before Katrina, down only slightly now.
The local news reported about 90% fill rates at the local hotels during Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras.
The Fourth of July doesn't draw as many people from out of town, but I would still suggest booking soon to get the hotel you really want.

Just found this, whitem8.
Site with hundreds of high quality photos of New Orleans.

[www.asergeev.com]

WOW! Superb! Thanks Edith Grove! The atmosphere is incredible in so many of those shots... Reminds me of Interview with a Vampire...

Hey, whitem8, made your reservation yet?
I just thought of this place. Looks like they have fairly decent rates.

[www.melrosegroup.com]