Which Hotel

Hi,

Next year I, hubby along with a group of 16 will travel to NO for the Essence Festival. I always have the responsibility of picking the perfect place to ensure everyone have a great vacation getaway.

We can be picky but not rediculous. I am hoping someone out there can suggest the perfect hotel(s) for our group to help me narrw it down.. I have been reading the reviews for the Loews, W, Monteleone, Omni Royal, JW and it is just plain hard to pick a place when one review says the place is great and then another says the place was just ok.

I am looking for a place that is immaculate, has good breakfast brunch or buffet, has a nice clean pool that we can sit around and mingle at during the day, nice lobby bar in the evenings for drinks since I dont think that a lot of time spent in the french quarter is for our group. We will probably spend a lot of time in the hotel and want to make the right choice in where to stay.

Out of the hotels listed above which is the best? Your suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Which Hotel

Based on what you%26#39;ve mentioned, I%26#39;d pick the Loews. It%26#39;s a beautiful hotel, it%26#39;s out of the Quarter and it%26#39;s got a great bar called Swizzle Stick. The rooms are large and well-appointed, too.

Nearly all hotels have ';up and down'; tripadvisor reviews. You can%26#39;t worry about it too much!

Which Hotel

Take a look at the Holiday Inn Superdome which has nice large rooms, breakfast or lunch at the streetcar restaurant, mardi gras lounge, nice big pool up on the 8th (?) floor and shuttles to the French Quarter or aquarium/harrahs etc. And the parking fee is for a garage right there as part of the hotel-$16 per day.

Thanks for your replies JJNOLA %26amp; Cajunyank,

I contacted Loews. They were very helpful but informed me that I can not book my reservation for next July until Nov. This gives me more time to get even more confused on where we should stay.

Based on the reviews, I am leaning toward Loews for the group. If you know, can you or anyone out there tell me how it compares to the W, Royal Omni Orleans, JW or the Monteleone. I think I have ruled out the Monteleone since many reviews state it is showing signs of wear.

Leaning towards Loews but I am curious about the others.

Thanks

I%26#39;d consider the Ritz-Carlton and Maison Orleans. We live in New orleans but like to play dress-up and stay at the Ritz now and then. The Maison Orleans is a hotel inside the Ritz that serves as their club level...very very nice. Prices are very reasonable. Very elegant and immaculate since the post-Katrina renovation.

Almost forgot...if you DO stay at Loews, eat at Cafe Adelaide. It%26#39;s on my top 5 New Orleans restaurants!

Thanks again for all the good information. I will check to see what the Ritz has to offer.