Embassy Suites Hotel New Orleans

This hotel provides a nice break from the crowds in the French Quarter. They offer a free, full breakfast, and 2 hours of free cocktails in the evenings. The layout is the same as all of the Embassy Suites. There is plenty of room for a family. They have a small pool and a hot tub just off the breakfast room area. There is a parking garage for a fee, but I take a chance on the side streets. It is a perfect location for White Linen Night, art gallery block party on St Peters, every Aug. The French Quarter is walkable, not at night alone. This is a very comfortable property, but no charm.

Marble floors greet you at the entrance lobby and continue into the lounge and restaurant. My girls were wowed by the mural on one wall which depicts various window scenes you might find in the French Quarters and includes lifesize statues of musicians, tourists, etc. This is a very attractive and eye catching display that adds a nice focal point during breakfast or cocktail hour. The staff is friendly and very efficient. We checked in at about 3AM so this was helpful as we were tired and in a hurry to get our room and get to sleep!

Be careful in the gift shop, the items I went in for: Halls lozenges and small jar of Vaseline, were grossly overpriced and the souvenirs can be found at the "River Walk" where there are numerous stands and shops beyond the food court.

My room included the entry room/living area for greeting guests and hanging out. Rooms also include two double beds, in the bedroom area, chairs, and a TV. The entry room was large enough to accommodate several people, and included a couch, chair, and another TV. There was also a fridge, coffee pot and mini wet bar and microwave.

I noted the lack of a window in the outer room but the balconly in the inner chamber makes up for it and takes up the whole back wall. There was a small table and two chairs on the balcony but I chose to go outside rather than sit on the balcony. Also, I thought that the mural outside the suite entrance again was a nice touch because it gives you the feel that you are actually peering at Mardi Gras scenes outside of the hotel and adds an airy feel.

We found our rooms to be clean, comfortable and roomy for our purposes.

I would have recommended this hotel to anyone, pre Hurricane Katrina. A recent follow up call revealed that the staff is shortened so the rooms are only cleaned every three days.

Unique Quality: This hotel was great because of the made-to-order breakfast! I requested shrimp and crawfish omelettes every day of my stay! Unfortunately, due to short staffing and the rigors of rebuilding the city, made-to-order breakfasts are not standard anymore. They are offering a limited breakfast buffet. Emeril's Restaurant is up the street in the opposite direction.

Another bonus was the cocktail hour from 5:30 – 7:30PM. Happy Hour comes with free drinks and bowls of snacks that you can eat at the bar or take to a cozy table. There were the typical peanuts of course but I picked up two more bowls which included dried fruits and raisins in one bowl and a Chex type mix in the other. The atmosphere was open and friendly, giving guests a chance to relax, mingle and unwind.

AMENITIES
The pool and jacuzzi were OUTDOORS--strange because most Embassy suites offer heated indoor pools. There's also a gym off the side of the lounge area but I could not see myself working out so close to the viewing eyes of the public!

Directions: This hotel used to be near the Convention Center, which is now closed or torn down. Mulattes Restaurant is a local favorite right up the corner and further up Julia Street is the Riverwalk, filled with cafes.

We were in N. O. partially for business so needed to be close to the Convention Center. This is a "big box" hotel that lacks the charm of the smaller French Quarter inns but the location/amenities made it a good choice for a business/pleasure trip. We were also lucky that most of our nights could be expensed as we were on a tight budget for our personal fun!

The suites have a living area with sleeper sofa, dining table, chairs, TV, microwave, small 'frige and coffeemaker, a bathroom, and a separate bedroom with TV and dresser space. Some of the bedrooms open onto small (no-frills) balconies. There's some worn spots here and there but nothing too serious. Suites come in different price levels - the pricier ones have extra amenities. All come with a good-sized closet, ironing board, iron, hairdryer and cable TV. They also have an adjacent building of new designer suites called "The Lofts". A small outdoor pool, sundeck and concierge desk are in, or close to, the lobby, and limited parking is available at $26 a night.

Besides lots of room, the other pluses are the complimentary breakfasts and happy hours. Breakfast is nothing short of a feast - made-to-order eggs, potatoes, scrambled eggs, waffles, grits and pancakes can be had at the steam table. Smaller, self-serve buffets offer cereals, bagels, toast, muffins, pastries, fresh fruit, granola bars and beverages. We were able to fill up enough in the mornings to last until dinner at night. Complimentary cocktails are served from 5-7 daily and is a full bar event that even offers a "flavor or the day" frozen daiquiri!

The Convention Center, Riverwalk shopping/dining, Riverfront Streetcars, and the cruise ship dock are just two blocks away, and there is a small convenience store just down the block. It's a very pleasant 20-minute walk along the river to the Quarter if you like to stroll. All-in-all, a great place for conventioners, families, and vacationers needing to bunk somewhere the night before a cruise. See their website for full list of amenities.

Unique Quality: Complimentary breakfast and happy hour, lots of room and convenient to shopping/transportation/restaurants