Lafayette Hotel Stay (hotels, transfer, safe area)

[roseandpearl]

My family will be traveling to Lafayette soon to visit U of L. What would you say is the best part of town to stay in(safe, nice, clean, etc.), or even further, any recommendations for a specific place to stay? Price really isnt an issue and I'd like to be close to U of L, but its not a requirement. I have been looking into transferring schools to U of L, it seems to be the ideal place I'm looking for but I guess I will find out here soon!

Thanks

[Doogie]

roseandpearl, I have stayed in the Drury at I-10 exit 101 a number of times and it is clean and it's not a bad area. It's right on the interstate but no interstate noise. There's another hotel right next to it, I think a Best Western or something, and has a Cracker Barrel on the other side - although in Lafayette you may want to look for local food instead. Rates started at around $90 if I remember correctly and that includes free cooked breakfast buffet (scrambled eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage, waffles, etc.) and 2 free cocktails from 5-7 at night. It's less than 5 minutes from U of L.

[sailordave]

Don't stay at any of the hotels at that exit number. The hotel themselves are not bad but there have been a rash of armed robberies of guest to those hotels recently. Those hotels are nice and beautiful but are near one of the worst areas locally for crime. Look on a map of Lafayette for Pinhook road. There are some very nice hotels there and they are not far from the university. The one closest to the university is LaQuinta on Pinhook. Besides being close to the university, it's also close to some good restaurants, major hospital, fast food, and a local grocery store. It's also very close to the airport.

[roseandpearl]

After looking around, I think we'll choose the LaQuinta..a quick question though, I heard an area very close to the University can be a bad area?? What's the truth in this, if any? Thanks again

[sailordave]

There's a road called University Ave. that runs right in front of the campus. Directly across the street from the campus is an area called "the strip". It's actually McKinley St. which is lined with bars and clubs. Not too far from there is a poor section that can have problems with crime. However, the worst areas are farther away from the campus. It's sad that with all there is to do around the campus that so many focus on "the strip". If your child does not get involved in drugs then he/she will have no reason to go to those dangerous areas. There's plenty of things to do around the campus and downtown that are safe and affordable or free.

[GoreeGal]

I recently stayed at the hotel (not motel) and it was great. Located I think on Pinbrook and easy to get around from that area. Nice clean and safe. Call hotel direct for best rate

[sreaux]

There is a boutique hotel downtown (very close to UL) that looks nice. I think "boutique hotel" is in the name. Lots to do in walking distance.

[prima1]

The Hilton Garden Inn across from the Cajun Dome. Safe area, convenient to campus, nice hotel.

[Innotech]

UL campus is actually quite safe. Even the area across the street near the strip is ok in the daytime and you wont encounter the trouble areas if you just stay within a street or two from University Ave.