VISITING NEW ORLEANS

Hello All! I have not been to New Orleans in YEARS! Can someone please recommend me a good place to stay, I will be visiting in the near future and want to make my reservations. Thanks Dedee

There are places in the quarter that can run up to 250 a night and then there's places in the suburbs/outskirts that top off near 75/80. This is all off season, of course. The Mardi Gras season is picking up right now. If you want to go during Mardi Gras, you might need to stay an hour or so away and drive in. I used to work for these people and they really are "the online authority" on planning: http://www.mardigras.com Good luck, Frances P.S.: I guess you aren't looking for great places to eat?

When is the Mardi Gras? I was planning to go 5-7 February!

Mardi Gras season has officially started. The biggest crowd will be seen Feb. 6-8. The "day" Mardi Gras is Feb. 8, the day after you want to leave. Costs will be high and rooms will be hard to find. Hey, but it's not impossible. Some cities in decent distance from The Big Easy include, Slidell, Mandeville*, Houma, Kenner*, Metairie*, LaPlace, Hammond, Gonzales, Covington, Baton Rouge in Louisiana and Anywhere on the western Mississippi Gulf Coast. *Cities really in Metro New Orleans. I wish you the best in your quest. Frances

UGE/Oh gosh, Dedee! You can't come at more busy time! If you really want to tour New Orleans, that is NOT the weekend to come! The activity is HUGE, there are parades everywhere. You can't drive anywhere as so many roads are closed, etc. However, if you want to do Mardi Gras, that is the prime weekend to experience it, if you can find a hotel room. Good luck! PS I live in Mandeville as previously mentioned by another poster. My understanding is that the Mandeville hotels were booked full months ago. However, sometimes people have to cancel. There is a Marriot/Courtyard, BestWestern, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn. (I think that's all of them..not very many.) Good luck! ~Vanessa

Thanks Ladies and I am postponing this trip! My g-friend in Baton Rouge called and said NO! So I will do it around Fev 18-20!