Question for our New Orleans friends

[rvsullivan]

We always book about 10-11 months out. Usually stay downtown or Convention Center area. In trying to book a hotel for 7th of December they are sold out. Can't find any activities for that date and it is the same as we used for the last 4 years. Saints schedule is not posted yet, but could that be it? Only good availability is out in the burgs. Any ideas????:confused:

[nlt46]

I had the same problem. I was trying to book for January 2014. I did get a room with Country Inn. It is rated #4 on Trip Advisor, but it is nearer the French Quarter (which would be very desirable to some.) The room was certainly reasonably priced. We are flying and don't need parking.

 

Nancy

[Daycare Provider]

Some hotels don't let you book-out more than 10 months in advance keep trying back....We stayed at the hotel sonesta on the corner of Canal and Bourbon Street....Great location....wonderful service.

 

Angela

[Chalker Guy]

Check out Prytania Park Hotel. I just checked their website, and they have available rooms for $79 and up for Dec. 7, 2013. Just stayed there pre- and post- cruise last week. Their policy says 2 nights minimum, but we booked two 1 night stays by calling them direct. They are renovated 19th century buildings, very clean, located 1 mile from the French Quarter, 1/2 block from the streetcar stop on St. Charles. Only issue for us was that we were on third floor, with no elevator. Had to lug heavy bags up the stairs. If that is an issue for you, you can specify ground floor maybe at a slightly higher rate.

[rvsullivan]

Still can't get a room in town. Hotels can't tell me why there is no availability, but nothing available under about $500 per night. We've done this same week for 5 years without an issue. Don't understand?

[ssb]

Still can't get a room in town. Hotels can't tell me why there is no availability, but nothing available under about $500 per night. We've done this same week for 5 years without an issue. Don't understand?

 

Your either too early

Or there is something big happening like a few large conventions all at once.

[WhoDat2009]

December 7 is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and New Orleans hosts the National World War II museum.

 

http://www.nationalww2museum.org/

 

I'd imagine there will be some conventions in town. :) But if you've done the same week before with no troubles, I'm not sure.

 

Football season won't impact hotels that much, at least not until the schedule is out. Even then, it'd need to be a very well-traveling fan base to sell out months ahead of time.

[WhoDat2009]

I don't see anything other than Pearl Harbor stuff going on that weekend that would impact hotels:

 

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/gambits-2013-guide-to-fairs-and-festivals-december/Content?oid=2153937

 

http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/4609265-129/new-orleans-area-for-dec

[MissCruiseAddict]

We stayed for less than $100 a night at Federal City Inn and Suites last week. We couldn't get a room in NO for that due to Mardi Gras. It was clean and the hotel is on an old military base.

 

Its about a 20 minute walk to the ferry or you could drive and park there. The ferry is free to ride over to NO and its about a 10 or so minute ride. The ferry drops you off right across the street from the casino and the street car is right there. The last ferry back is, I believe, at midnight so as long as you don't plan to stay out real late partying then your good.

 

I would recommend staying there if you can't find anything in NO.

[mbalmr71]

Look on vrbo.com for a place called Maison de lagniappe. Really cool place in tha maringy and only a 15 min walk to the quarter. Fantastic b n b and rates are fantastic too $125 to $175 a night and no parking fee. Have not stayed anywhere since.

[Mrs. Marple]

Still can't get a room in town. Hotels can't tell me why there is no availability, but nothing available under about $500 per night. We've done this same week for 5 years without an issue. Don't understand?

 

I tried the Sheraton and the room rates were too high. The Marriott said it was sold out. I tried these hotels as NCL has a deal with them. But I did want to book the Drury Hotel. It is on the edge of the French Quarter near the business district. We have stayed here before and it is reasonable, very nice hotel and you get a free hot breakfast and in the evening what they call a kick back hour, free drinks and munchies, can be hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, etc. We are staying here the night before the cruise and three days after the cruise. We have stayed at other Drurys also and they all are great, clean and everyone is very friendly.

Good luck in your hunt for a hotel.

[bertieboop1]

I just booked the Drury Last week for Dec 26th for a few days and 1 day in Jan. post cruise. Booked through the hotel website and prices were good!

[rvsullivan]

Just checked Drury and they are available but at $250 per night! Usually the Marriott or Hilton are about $110 or so. Somethings up???

[Mrs. Marple]

Just checked Drury and they are available but at $250 per night! Usually the Marriott or Hilton are about $110 or so. Somethings up???

 

Here is my booking information for before the cruise. I also have a senior discount. This is for a room with a king bed.

 

Room 1 Rate Information

$169.99 per night plus taxes - Starting 12/06/13

$229.99 per night plus taxes - Starting 12/07/13

$399.98 USD Total before Taxes*

*Local Taxes will apply.

 

The Marriott had no rooms and I didn't try the Hilton but when we went to New Orleans last year this hotel had the most reasonable rates and it is a gorgeous hotel, service is great and you do get a nice free hot breakfast and kick back hour with free drinks, any kind, and food, sometimes hot dogs, etc. Some people make it their dinner.

 

I am surprised to learn the Hilton had cheaper rates for a Saturday night.

 

Last year we only stayed one night here (in April) as they were full for the days we wanted except for the one night. We stayed at a Hampton Inn in Metarie, but I will never stay there again.

 

You could try the Hampton Inn in New Orleans and see if they have rooms. I didn't try that as we know what the Drury in New Orleans is and has and we know we won't be disappointed.

 

Good luck with your hotel search.

[Mrs. Marple]

Just checked Drury and they are available but at $250 per night! Usually the Marriott or Hilton are about $110 or so. Somethings up???

 

I'm a Hilton Honors member and checked prices for hotels in New Orleans.If you want to stay at the airport you can get the rates you quoted. The Hampton Inn & Suites by the Convention Center is $329. This is the only Hilton member hotel that had rooms available for Dec. 7th. The Hampton Inn and Hilton at the airport had rooms ranging from $109 to $143 depending on which hotel you choose to stay at in the Hilton chain.

[rvsullivan]

Yeah, this is kind of crazy. We've stayed this same weekend for about 5 years now and never had an issue. Marriott on Canal St and Convention Center have always been about $100-120 per night and this past year Doubletree was about $100. We usually book about 11 months out. This year everything is coming up as no vacancy???? Drury Inn for Sat. night is over $200. We like to stay downtown for the night life. No one can come up with an answer. We've asked the hotels what's up and they don't have a reason. We are platinum with Marriott and Hilton and it doesn't seem to help. We'll keep on working on it.

 

Thanks

[WLHyatt]

Check out Prytania Park Hotel. I just checked their website, and they have available rooms for $79 and up for Dec. 7, 2013. Just stayed there pre- and post- cruise last week. Their policy says 2 nights minimum, but we booked two 1 night stays by calling them direct. They are renovated 19th century buildings, very clean, located 1 mile from the French Quarter, 1/2 block from the streetcar stop on St. Charles. Only issue for us was that we were on third floor, with no elevator. Had to lug heavy bags up the stairs. If that is an issue for you, you can specify ground floor maybe at a slightly higher rate.

 

Do this.

Prytania park is a good hotel, and has a park and cruise package. If you stay 2 days on the front and a day on the end of your cruise, they let you park for free. You can also reverse that and stay one day up front, and 2 on the back. Taxi from the hotel to the cruise port is $7/pp.

[Lynda59]

There is a doctor's convention in town that weekend (12/7-12/10) at the Convention Center. They probably have rooms blocked out at all of the big hotels. I suggest you try some of the smaller hotels and then book something that is refundable. Then keep trying to see if you can find a better deal. Rooms will open up eventually. I promise that you will find something - I would only be concerned if you were coming in for Mardi Gras or the Super Bowl.

[love_my_puggle]

I have also been looking for hotels near the French Quarter and have been running in to the same problem; I don't know what's going on. My dates are either 2/13-2/16 or 2/27-3/1. I know it's Mardis Gras time but we went during Mardis Gras 2 years ago and had no problems booking a cheap hotel just 3 months prior to going. Now this year everything is showing no availability.

 

It is very frustrating!

[MIPensFan]

I have also been looking for hotels near the French Quarter and have been running in to the same problem; I don't know what's going on. My dates are either 2/13-2/16 or 2/27-3/1. I know it's Mardis Gras time but we went during Mardis Gras 2 years ago and had no problems booking a cheap hotel just 3 months prior to going. Now this year everything is showing no availability.

 

I am having the same problem. I am also looking at 2/14 - 2/16, and can find no reasonably priced rooms close to the port/downtown/FQ. I did learn that Feb 16 is the NBA All-Star Game in NO, but it must be more than that.

 

I booked a room in Metairie (about 10 miles/15 minutes away). We will have a car, so not a big deal, but I would like to closer. Has anyone stayed in Metairie? Is it a nice area?

 

Another option is Westbank/Harvey. Any thoughts?

[russianmom]

I have also been looking for hotels near the French Quarter and have been running in to the same problem; I don't know what's going on. My dates are either 2/13-2/16 or 2/27-3/1. I know it's Mardis Gras time but we went during Mardis Gras 2 years ago and had no problems booking a cheap hotel just 3 months prior to going. Now this year everything is showing no availability.

 

It is very frustrating!

 

I am having the same problem. I am also looking at 2/14 - 2/16, and can find no reasonably priced rooms close to the port/downtown/FQ. I did learn that Feb 16 is the NBA All-Star Game in NO, but it must be more than that.

 

I booked a room in Metairie (about 10 miles/15 minutes away). We will have a car, so not a big deal, but I would like to closer. Has anyone stayed in Metairie? Is it a nice area?

 

Another option is Westbank/Harvey. Any thoughts?

 

I've been trying since February to get a room for 2/14-2/16. We made a reservation at Homewood Suites then got an email that they canceled us b/c NBA All Star took up all of the rooms.... We finally found a room by using last minute travel dot com.

 

Mardi Gras is 3/4 and most of the festivities start at least 2 weeks before hand. Best bet is to stay by the airport or in another suburb...

[ljslight]

I am having the same problem. I am also looking at 2/14 - 2/16, and can find no reasonably priced rooms close to the port/downtown/FQ. I did learn that Feb 16 is the NBA All-Star Game in NO, but it must be more than that.

 

I booked a room in Metairie (about 10 miles/15 minutes away). We will have a car, so not a big deal, but I would like to closer. Has anyone stayed in Metairie? Is it a nice area?

 

Another option is Westbank/Harvey. Any thoughts?

 

We are styaing there at a Ramada Inn, they have a free shuttle to the french quarter. we are saling the Carnival Sunshine 2/16/2014