“Location, location, location”
Smack in the middle of Bourbon Street's sleaze, but quite safe and serene, the Royal Sonesta offers a luxurious haven in walking distance of so many attractions in the French Quarter, lower Canal Street, casino, and surroundings. The room was a fair size and well-appointed. Hotel staff were courteous, competent , and attentive. Room service, mini-bar, and restaurant charges very high. No freebies that you might expect in this price-range, such as breakfast, airport shuttle, parking, etc. We did however get a free mid-week upgrade to a room w/balcony.
Area recommendations
The cluster of high rise national chain hotels that service the casino, aquarium, and lower Canal Street are fairly convenient to the French Quarter. If you have business at Tulane University and wish to be near the Garden District, there are choices along St Charles Avenue with charming, frequent, but slow, trolley cars that run from the bottom of Carrolton Ave. all the way to Canal St. across from Bourbon St. Get off at Lee Circle and walk 2 blocks toward the river for the Warehouse District, to visit the D-Day and World War II museums. There are half a dozen other museums in this vicinity, and major additions to the WWII museum are under construction.
When to go
It is drop-dead hot and humid from May through October. Avoid Mardi Gras unless that is your primary objective. Winter weather is pretty mild, however you will see the locals donning ski hats and parkas any time the temperature drops below 65F. There are frequent tropical-style afternoon thunderstorms so a good umbrella can be very useful.
Nightlife
The really hip jazz scene and at least one terrific restaurant are in a little cluster on Frenchman St. on the southwestern fringe of the French Quarter.
