300 Bourbon St., New Orleans, 800-766-3782, .
Rates: Start at $129 for a deluxe (one king bed) room with no view; pool/patio rooms start at $149, while rooms with a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street start at $189; suites are available starting at $329. Look for online deals and packages. Overnight parking: $30.
Stay here if you’re: Looking to be in the thick of things on Bourbon Street or a business traveler with time to spare for a pool dip.
It’s close to: The action. Right on Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter, an easy walk to Jackson Square and the French Market, a quick cab ride or brisk walk to Frenchman Street.
The rooms are: Nicely furnished with pretty, French-style furniture and fabrics, with very comfortable beds and a roomy bathroom.
They put all of the money into: Training the staff to be gracious and helpful, and clearly keeping them happy enough to want to hang around — my excellent server at breakfast had been there 29 years, and one couldn’t walk through the lobby without having one of the gentlemanly bellmen inquire if directions or information were required, or just if the day was going well. Also, the patio and pool area are outstanding, well-sized considering the location, with a large bar at one end, comfy lounge chairs, plenty of thick, blue towels and attractive landscaping. A great place to unwind after a day of meetings. Good fitness center too.
The bottom line: A welcome combination of value and service. Minor quibbles: They advertise flat-screen TVs, but mine was not; lame bath products; my phone service took a few attempts to get hooked up.
Kyle Wagner
