Royal Sonesta Hotel

Sonesta good but not great.

This was my family's first trip to New Orleans and we wanted to stay somewhere special. Staying in NOLA would represent seeing our 40th state as a family in our quest to see and experience all 50 states.

Driving from the NYC area, with stops in Knoxville and Birmingham, we didn't get into NOLA until about 7:30 PM...this presented a bit of a problem since Bourbon Street closes to traffic at 7 PM unbeknownst to us. This actually turned out to be a small blessing. We wound up parking at an indoor garage on IBERVILLE about a block and a half from the hotel that cost $20 a night vs. the $31 a night that the hotel charges for its lot. It wasn't fun hauling our luggage - but we're a hardy bunch.

The lobby of the SONESTA is GORGEOUS...simply stunning. The rooms however a great disappointment given the first impression. The manager who checked us in was very pleasant in changing our room request (my two daughters needed a room with two queens although booking on the internet only allowed for booking a king at the sale price).

Their room turned out to be bigger and nicer than the one for my wife and I.

The rooms themselves were ordinary. I was particularly put back by the artwork in the room. A bunch of cheesy graphic prints - ours a winter scene of what looked like New England?

With all the great independent artists in the New Orleans area - why not some original artwork. Jackson Square is filled with artists whose work would look great in those rooms.

Management should take a page from the old HOUSE OF BLUES in Chicago where they had a great electric mix of American folkart and other influences fused incredibly.

Housekeeping nothing special; no little touches...animal towels...mints nor chocolates....dirty drink glasses that should have clearly been removed - left in room after room was serviced.

If you want to be on Bourbon then a good place to stay...otherwise shop around.

Unique Quality: Great pool area on third floor.