New Orleans Getaway and Hotel Guide

There is something every traveler should know before trekking to New Orleans - and it's not the difference between Creole and Cajun (although I wouldn't say that to a Sin City local). It is, however, the lay of the land -- in terms of lodging anyway.

The novice to New Orleans is faced with a slew of decisions. Rental car vs. city transportation. Jazz at House of Blues vs. jazz at Preservation Hall. Beignets vs. muffalettas. Why hassle with choosing the right hotel?

With more than 20,000 rooms available, there is no shortage of accommodations in the Big Easy. New Orleans is an amalgam of neighborhoods, each with its own distinction.

There's the French Quarter - the crux of everything New Orleans, the Central Business District, which speaks for itself, and the Garden District, where the houses are reminiscent of an Anne Rice novel. All of these areas are well equipped with hotel rooms that run the gamut from dorm-like hostels to rooms that reek of old-style Southern charm.

One drawback to staying in the French Quarter is the amount of money you're sure to throw around. Although you're in the middle of the action, and a short walk from the city's famed Bourbon Street, you should expect to shell out quite a fistful of dough. The accommodations, for the most part, are pricey. If it's budget lodging you seek, head uptown or perhaps select a hotel in the business district (Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn). But, keep in mind that the best way to ensure low rates is to visit the city during the summer months. Although you'll battle some sweltering heat, your wallet is sure to stay in tact.

If you're in New Orleans on business (New Orleans is the convention capital from October-March), you'll more than likely prefer to set up shop in the city's Central Business District, which is also considered downtown and is a few short blocks from the French Quarter. Here you'll find the Courtyard Marriott Downtown, which hosts a flood of convention-goers during peak season, according to hotel manager Eric Son. During peak convention season, roughly 60 percent of the hotel's guests are in town for business reasons.

In fact, the Crescent City is entering Phase III of its convention center expansion, calling for the development of even more hotels. The Ritz Carlton opened in April, 2000, in addition to three more properties on the way (one a 2,500-room hotel in the lower Garden District), with completion times to be announced.

If it's business you're trying to escape, New Orleans is where it's at. Not only does the French Quarter provide dozens of ample hotel rooms, but the Garden District, or uptown, also serves up some great accommodations - if you choose to stay outside of the hubbub and don't mind taking the streetcar or a taxi into downtown.

New Orleans provides visitors with a wealth of public transportation options - so unless you're traveling to other parts of the state, you won't need a car here. In fact, the car becomes more of a hassle than an added resource, and ends up costing you more in the long run. The city's patchwork of neighborhoods is easily accessible, connected by streetcars, buses and taxicabs. The city also offers Park-N-Ride, a network of shuttle routes in and out of the Central Business District and the French Quarter. And, if you choose to hoof it around town, make sure your directions are good ones. It's not uncommon to find yourself in a seedy part of the city in the blink of an eye.

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