Hotel outside French Quarter (New Orleans, Poydras: 2014, rent, high crime)

[Jaybee]

My wife and I are planning to drive the Great River (Mississippi) Road next Spring. We plan to start at the south end (Venice) and will spend two or three nights in New Orleans before heading upriver. We'll fly to NO and rent a car for our roadtrip.

As background, we have visited NO twice before and stayed both times in the French Quarter. The last time we visited in 2014, we got into a huge argument while we navigated thru closed streets to get to the Omni Hotel. Not a great way to start a vacation! For that reason and others, we'd prefer not to stay in the French Quarter this time. Instead, we'd like to stay "on the periphery," with less traffic congestion, lower lodging cost and fewer partiers. We would visit the French Quarter for dinner and entertainment, just don't want to stay there. Of course we'd also want the place to be safe for us and our vehicle. We typically stay at Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.

I have given some thought to the Drury Plaza Hotel on Poydras St. It's within a block of the St. Charles St. trolley line. But I'm looking for advice from locals about lodging in the area.

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

My wife and I are planning to drive the Great River (Mississippi) Road next Spring. We plan to start at the south end (Venice) and will spend two or three nights in New Orleans before heading upriver. We'll fly to NO and rent a car for our roadtrip.

As background, we have visited NO twice before and stayed both times in the French Quarter. The last time we visited in 2014, we got into a huge argument while we navigated thru closed streets to get to the Omni Hotel. Not a great way to start a vacation! For that reason and others, we'd prefer not to stay in the French Quarter this time. Instead, we'd like to stay "on the periphery," with less traffic congestion, lower lodging cost and fewer partiers. We would visit the French Quarter for dinner and entertainment, just don't want to stay there. Of course we'd also want the place to be safe for us and our vehicle. We typically stay at Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.

I have given some thought to the Drury Plaza Hotel on Poydras St. It's within a block of the St. Charles St. trolley line. But I'm looking for advice from locals about lodging in the area.

My first choice would be the Hyatt Regency on Poydras. They have garage parking. Or you could stay in Metarie or out near the airport. There are many moderately priced hotels in this area.

[sanmiguel]

Originally Posted by Lizap

My first choice would be the Hyatt Regency on Poydras. They have garage parking. Or you could stay in Metarie or out near the airport. There are many moderately priced hotels in this area.

I agree with this post. However, for a bit less money we usually stay at the Hyatt House which is right next door and has a connecting walkway to the Regency and the parking garage. Very convenient and relatively quiet by NOLA standards as well. Upscale Rouse's market is very close for food and beverage purchases when not desiring to go to a restaurant.

[Coney]

I am also planning a trip to New Orleans. I just looked at the above suggested hotels and it's a bit pricey for me. I'm looking to go after Mardi Gras season, maybe late March or April? I don't want to stay in the French Quarter as well. What hotels would you recommend for $150-190 per night?

[Luckystrike1]

Originally Posted by Coney

I am also planning a trip to New Orleans. I just looked at the above suggested hotels and it's a bit pricey for me. I'm looking to go after Mardi Gras season, maybe late March or April? I don't want to stay in the French Quarter as well. What hotels would you recommend for $150-190 per night?

Check out B&Bs in the Marigny District. I'm pretty sure you can find something in that price range, and there is Frenchmen Street for more musical entertainment.

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by Luckystrike1

Check out B&Bs in the Marigny District. I'm pretty sure you can find something in that price range, and there is Frenchmen Street for more musical entertainment.

As a south LA resident for many years, my response to a B&B in this area would be to be cognizant of crime. NOLA has a high crime rate. If I was visiting, I would want the security of a hotel.

[Luckystrike1]

Originally Posted by Lizap

As a south LA resident for many years, my response to a B&B in this area would be to be cognizant of crime. NOLA has a high crime rate. If I was visiting, I would want the security of a hotel.

Well, true. But we always stay at the same B&B when we're there. One has to really stay aware and cautious just about anywhere there. It's the one city I love that I won't visit alone.

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by Luckystrike1

Well, true. But we always stay at the same B&B when we're there. One has to really stay aware and cautious just about anywhere there. It's the one city I love that I won't visit alone.

As locals know, parts of the city are definitely more dangerous than others.