Tranman

I'm going to New Orleans this February and am thinking about staying at one of the W Hotels there. Anyone here stayed at either W's? Thanks in advance for any advice/info.

[This message has been edited by Tranman (edited 01-06-2001).]

schriste

Yes, I stayed in the French Quarter W back in August 2000. I enjoyed my room there… typical W style with ultra comfortable bed. I particularly enjoyed the bathroom that had a great shower (I was there in August!). I was upgraded to a suite on my second night, but the living room could connect with two additional bedrooms, so it was mostly connecting doors with no windows for natural light. Not a great suite design in my book. There is a small but pleasant pool in the back.

On the down side the hotel is uncomfortable squeezed onto its lot and I found it architecturally rather “odd”. There is also a restaurant owned by one of the brennen (?) brothers that is supposed to be good, but I did not eat there. I did have a room service breakfast and was disappointed that in a “French” city nicknamed the Crescent City I had one of, if not the WORST croissants of my life.

This is a difficult hotel to summarize… you might like it, or you might not.

jbird

I stayed there on a three-day weekend last year in the summer time and really enjoyed it. The location compared to the W on Poydras (I believe that's right) is far superior. I agree that the space seems a little awkward, but the staff was great, the room was definitely "W" and the shower in our room was fabulous too!!! Something about a huge bathroom with slate everywhere!!!

The bed is fabulous too!!
Even got a nice bottle of red wine after arrival and a hand-written note from the manager as a welcome gift!!

The restaurant "Bacco" is a Brennan family restaurant described as cajun-italian whatever that means. We ate their and really enjoyed it. The food was very good! I would recommend some other places as well ahead of it, including my all-time favorite, "Commander's Palace". If you can't get in yourself, use the concierge ahead of time, they shouldn't have a problem.

Enjoy!! Don't go to Court of Three Sisters whatever you do for Sunday Brunch...tourist trap that we got caught in.

Jbird

cigarman

I stayed at the W on poydros. It's one street away from the french quarter... no big deal. And the casino is directly across the street. A modern building. I really enjoyed this property.

Tranman

Casino? Is it one of those river boat casinos?

Catman

The casino is a Harrah's, which took I think like a decade to build and finally open.

I cannot speak of the other W, but I have been satisifed with the W French Quarter. Good location in the heart of the Quarter, the bar is not bad and the staff pretty helpful (although for New Orleans some of the dark colors and Versace look of the staff somewhat clashes with N-O's bright, colorful lifestyle.)

I would go with the W French Quarter.

I would NOT go to the Sheraton. After being a Platnium and getting a fold away bed for an expensive stay, and rude service, I would avoid this property.

Beckles

The W New Orleans is in a good location if your there for an event at the Convention Center. It is the old Crown Plaza, and was then a Four Points until they finished the 'conversion' to a W.

PremEx

I've stayed at the W French Quarter and it is, as someone mentioned, rather an odd thing architectually. Cramped comes to mind. Many odd rooms. Like most W's, IMHO, designed more for style than comfort.

Soooo many better places to stay. It's not bad, I just found it dull and lacking any Pride of Place.

Can't speak for the other New Orleans W.

rocky

I stayed there in December. Would not stay there again. We had three rooms and all had things wrong with them. Yes, these are nits, but we shouldn't have encountered so many of them:

- Showers alternated between frigid and scalding. (Great pressure though!)
- Two of the rooms were very cramped. The upgraded carriage house was OK in terms of size.
- The handle to the bathroom door in one of the rooms was falling off.
- The phone didn't work in one of the rooms. Calling it from the other rooms resulted in a perpetual busy.
- One of the rooms wasn't made up, despite being unoccupied most of the day.
- They start playing (bad) music in the courtyard in the morning, which is really distracting if you're trying to sleep.

On the plus side, it's a terrific location and the platinum amenity I got (box of cookies) was scrumptious.

And if you're looking for an upgrade, it's tough. They only have two suites.

My future stays in New Orleans will be at the Sheraton. It's only about three blocks down and is much better maintained. Because it's a bigger hotel, you have a much better shot at upgrades.

schriste

True + a nice view, but the Sheraton has VERY uncomfortable beds. I'll put up with alot of minor problems for a W bed!

dtji

I stayed at the Sheraton last Sept. 5 nights. Nice hotel, bad beds, dirty pool by the second day (it was 115 degrees for a week), good gym, friendly staff, bad bed, good shower, good location, Starbucks, bad bed....you get the picture.
IMPORTANT - I had an awards stay and there was no communication between Starwood and the hotel on how I was to settle the bill. After much confusion, and 5 weeks, my credit card was finally credited to my liking by a great guy in accounting at the hotel. I'd stay there again after that.

Jim90068

I'll second that motion. I found the beds at the Sheraton New Orleans to be the most uncomfortable hotel beds I've ever slept in. I'll NEVER stay there again.

jmiyazawa

Going to NO in July, and weighing the Sheraton, W NO and W FQ. What's with the Sheraton beds that makes them so uncomfortable? Too hard? Too soft? Not enough covers?

cigarman

Made of pure concrete...

Tranman