overwhelmed with hotels

I am getting overwhelmed!! Hubby and I are coming to NO the end of Feb. We are going on a cruise and then spending 3 nights before coming home. It has been about 8 years since we have been. I need help on where to stay. Last few trips we were just looking for cheap. (we were young then-LOL) Now I want something really nice. It needs to be in French Quarter and I would love a balcony and a great court yard. This will be our anniversary and leaving kids at home-so romantic would be great! Either a hotel or B%26amp;B-does not matter. There are so many once I start reading about them all it just makes it harder to find something. Thanks

overwhelmed with hotels

The W has gotten good comments about their courtyard. From personal experience I can recommend the Ritz-Carlton and Maison Orleans. Both are off the chart romance-wise. Feel free to drop a line if you have specific questions.

overwhelmed with hotels

Maison Orleans is no more. It%26#39;s part of the Ritz Carlton now.

Personally, I don%26#39;t think either W Hotel here is all that great. There are better W Hotels in other cities!

Maison Orleans certainly is still alive and kicking. Stayed there last week. While it is in the Ritz building and under their corporate structure, it is a distinct and delightful experience.

Thanks for the replies! Do you know if Maison Orleans has a website? I have searched but I can not find one. The Ritz was one I had narrowed it down to. I was looking at Le Pavillon Hotel also. How far is that from the action? Would it be ok to walk-distance and safety wise? Any ideas on it compared to the other 2?

I am not really sure what is considered the French Quarter-where it stops and starts.

One more question-how is it there on a week night? I enjoy the crowds-not mardi gras size crowds-but I like to be around alot of people having fun. Would a week night be boring? Should we plan for a weekend night?

Thanks for all your help!!

The Maison Orleanws no longer has its own web site. If you%26#39;ll go to this link, then click on the tab that says ';The Ritz Carlton Club, Maison Orleans,'; you%26#39;ll find the information you seek. It appears that, although the Maison Orleans is a separate wing, it%26#39;s now being treated as the club level of the Ritz. Of couse, a rose by any other name.........

ritzcarlton.com/en/鈥efault.htm

I don%26#39;t think a weeknight in the FQ would be boring. You%26#39;ll still find lively people on Bourbon St. and the immediate outlying areas. Restaurants will be less crowded. You might find it harder to see th big names in live music, though, if that is your thing. Hptels may be easier to get a good rate from on the weekend though.

Please check out the Maison de Ville - it is in the middle of the French Quarter, is VERY romantic, has a lovely restaurant, and is just a hidden gem.

The website is: http://www.maisondeville.com/

This is truly a small, boutique hotel, that would be perfect for a romantic get-away. I personally prefer small hotels and high end B%26amp;B%26#39;s, and this is where I%26#39;d stay if I was coming to New Orleans for a romantic weekend.

The Ritz did the right thing by ';reflagging'; Maison Orleans as the Ritz Carlton%26#39;s club level. It didn%26#39;t work as its own brand and it was too confusing having those two ';separate'; hotels along with a third, the Iberville Suites, in the same building. The M.O. didn%26#39;t command the high rates necessary to stay alive as a separate entity but it%26#39;s indeed a nice experience. We%26#39;ve stayed there twice for anniversaries and it%26#39;s a tad nicer than the typical Ritz Carlton room.

Nolachar, have you been to Maison de Ville recently? I%26#39;ve always really liked the hotel and the restaurant but have heard positively awful things about the place post-Katrina. I know they%26#39;ve had recent ownership changes and I can%26#39;t figure out what%26#39;s going on. Any first-hand experiences?

Cajunwave - nope, I have not been post-Katrina - if what you%26#39;ve heard is true, that%26#39;s just terrible, since the hotel and restaurant have always been just wonderful. Hopefully others who have been recently will post, because I%26#39;d want to know.