I am traveling to New Orleans on business - where is the best place to stay now?

I am interested in seeing the city, but since I will be there only a couple of days, would like someplace that I can walk around by myself. I was thinking of the Garden District, but since I have never been there, I don't know where is a good place to stay. I'm not necessarily interested in the bar scene, more the historical aspects of the city.

Your best bet is still the French Quarter. The Garden District is easily accessible from there, if you want to take a tour. But if you stay in the Garden District, you will have trouble getting around in the evenings, and it may be tough to get a cab. You can get anywhere from the French Quarter, and there's a lot more than just a bar scene there. It is the most historical spot in the city. You can just walk around and enjoy the cuisine, music, and architecture.

The Garden District is a residential area and I don't know of any hotels actually in or adjacent to the GD.

Your best option for a base for walking around is a hotel actually INSIDE the French Quarter. The Omni Royal Orleans, Monteleone, and Royal Sonesta are large, upscale, historic hotels in the FQ. There are a number of chain (Holiday Inn, Marriott, Ramada, Wyndham, etc.) hotels in the FQ and most of them are in historic buildings. Also consider a private (non-chain) hotel like the Le Richelieu, Provincial, and Villa Convento - all of them have websites.

You should check travel websites (like Travelocity & Yahoo Travel) as there are many, many hotels downtown (in the FQ, central business district, and warehouse district).

Wherever you decide to stay, call the hotel and find out exactly where they are located. Too many hotels (all over the world)advertise they are "minutes" or "steps" from an attraction when they are actually quite a long distance away..

right now is mardi gras so if you dont want to be part of that I would say garden district or some where away from bourbon and the parade route. It may be hard to find a hotel right now also

Any where is nice.The have nice hotles like hilton.they are close to the superdome also.

I'd look into the New Orleans Hilton, within walking distance of Harrah's casino, The Riverwalk, Jax Brewery and French Quarter.....home of the infamous Bourbon Street. There rests the Cafe Du Monde, St. Louis Cathedral (Jackson Square) and adjoining museum, Cabildo. Again, all this cool stuff IS within walking distance from the Hilton. This area of NOLA is pretty much restored or pre-Katrina and New Orleans Police--ever protective of tourists (valued more post Katrina) hevaily patrol that area.

But if you don't feel like adding to Paris' undeserved coffers of wealth, you can also call the Royal Orleans Hotel, located IN the city, not far from the French Quarter.

The Aquarium also is close by--and you can hop their ferry over to Audobon Zoo, across the River.

I've never been inside, but on the outside, the Le Cirque has an awsome light show @ night and it's pretty close to downtown on St. Charels. The pics of the rooms on the net look nice.

Hope you are still reading. I think that where you stay will highly depend on where your business is taking you and how much time you will have to see the sites.
Several of the replys here are NOT correct. The Zoo is located IN the Garden district - not across the river as one post mentioned. You can however take a riverboat up river, from the French Qtr. to the Zoo.

I would look into some B&Bs in the Quarter or on St. Charles in the Garden District. If you stay in the GD, you can travel via the RTA bus route as the street car lines are still being repaired. View the bus schedule using the link provided. (search bed and breakfast New Orleans)

Other hotel choices to consider would be those on Canal St. (close to the river end) which will border the French Qtr and the Business Dist. which will keep you out from the loud party noise yet closer in than the GD. The Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton all come to mind. (search new orleans hotel canal st. and choose one with the lower street #'s)

Other things to consider is your noise tolanence, in the Qtr things are a bit loud, but they are within walking distances to most of the historical sites. If you stay in the GD, you will have a more restful sleep, beautiful views, downfall is the travel considerations. If you will have a rental, problem solved!
Have a wonderful trip and be sure to share your great time with all you family and friends, New Orleans needs visitors.

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