Hey, y'all. Need advice on hotels in New Orleans.

[Maddy McCall]

I'm bringing my kid down to see Def Leppard at UNO Lakefront Arena on July 24 (Sunday). The drive back home will be about an hour and a half to two hours. So I think we are going to just spend the night.

What is the area around UNO Lakefront ARena like? Are there any decent hotels in the area? I'd like to find something really close to the arena if at all possible, but if not, we'll consider staying somewhere else--preferably downtown near the French Quarter (so we can hit a few attractions while we'are there). I really wish we could get a hotel within walking distance of the arena, but that may be asking too much. I don't know what the area around the arena is like, so I don't want to stay in that area if it's known for lots of crime.

I'll be driving in from I-10 across the causeway. Any hotel advice is vastly appreciated.

Thanks!

[elehhhhna]

1. The Monteleone, by far!

Edge of French Q., family owned, beautiful w/ great service, and not a gouge.

[jobycom]

4. It's hard to drive around the Quarters on a Saturday night.

You might spend as much time at a couple of traffic lights near the Quarters as you would driving back home, or at least to Hammond or Covington across the lake.

[Maddy McCall]

5. Yeah, I know. The concert's on a Sunday night.

I'm thinking that we might drive back to Hammond. Or over to Slidell.

[jobycom]

10. Sunday night. That's actually good

Rates and occupancy are down on Sunday nights. It would be a good time to get a Quarters hotel.

Play Russian Roulette. Use Hotwire, let it pick you a hotel in the Quarters. Especially on a Sunday, when hotels lowball their rates.

[kaygore]

9. I agree

I have stayed at a lot of places in New Orleans and this is one of the best and it is very reasonable.

Also, I agree about using some form of transportation other than your car; however, if you take a cab, it may be difficult to get one to go back after the concert.

[jobycom]

2. Just don't post which one you are staying at.

And congrats on finding a concert!

[Maddy McCall]

3. Yeah, finally!

He's so psyched. He bought their "greatest hits" cd yesterday and is really looking forward to the concert.

[BOSSHOG]

6. There isn't much close to the Lakefront Arena

But you might try the Bourbon-Orleans (700 block of Bourbon) or the Bienville House www.bienvillehouse.com. Its on Decatur just about right across the street from the House of Blues. They have valet parking or you can park across the street at Jackson Brewery, the cost is about the same. I would suggest taking a cab to the concert if you stay in the quarter. The drive is too much hassle. You might also check www.nola.com. There may be some mass transit from the quarter to the arena or one of the hotels may be providing a ride. Its not that far from the Arena to the French Quarter but I wouldn't want to make the drive after a concert. Have a great time, the Lakefront is a nice venue for a concert.

[breadbox]

7. if you end up in the FQ

I stayed a month ago at the Hampton Inn a block away from the
French Quarter --- 226 Carondelet St, and had one of the nicest
hotel experiences I've had in a *long* time. I was very impressed,
and while I didn't pick up the tab on this room, I got the impression
that they were reasonably priced. It is a delight to be able to
pass on a glowing recommendation for the hotel (and also for *all*
of the staff that I had interactions with).


Breadbox

[funkybutt]

8. There isn't anything within walking distance of the Arena

You'll see that when you get here. I'm not even familiar with ANY hotels in the Lakefront or Lakeview Area. If proximity is most important, you may want to look near the Lakefront Airport for motels but this will be getting toward New Orleans East.

I'd just recommend staying in or near the French Quarter and getting a cab to and from the show. Chateau and Royal Sonesta are really nice, as well as the Wyndham, Monteleone, the W, ect. Those are the more expensive ones but pretty much any FQ hotel should be nice enough.

[amazona]

11. the lakefront arena -- that's a bad area

It has been many a year since I even had to rent an apartment there. I'm not aware of any safe hotels in that area, sorry. My drive home from Lakefront Arena concerts is probably 1-1/2 hours and I think it's well worth it rather than staying in a hotel or (shudder) motel where someone is probably cooking crack. Hey, don't hit me, you guys, if the area has suddenly gotten all safe or something. But when I lived there, nice people wouldn't.