Hotwire Hotel: Struggling Jazzfest & Cruise

[rochbaz]

Been a lurker on this forum for a while, and am leaning towards a Hotwire booking since location is extremely important, but will consider Priceline.

Booked a cruise departing on 5/8/11 without realizing Jazzfest is in town. Need a room in the French Quarter 5/6 and 5/7 nights. Everything seems to be booked. Must be within walking distance of cruise port (ideally Drurry Inn, Holiday Inn Superdome, Hilton Riverside etc). Will be leaving car at Fulton parking garage for those of you familiar with the area.

Was hoping for a 3-4* for less than $150/nt. Am I crazy? :)

Any advice is greatly appreciated :)

[maggiepie]

Doesn't look like Hotwire has anything available for less than $199...same with every other place in New Orleans.

Since you're only staying for a night, try this place: http://www.olivierhouse.com/

See if they'll give you a room for $150. It's located at Dauphine/Toulouse (heart of the FQ). It'll be about a 20min walk (according to Google Maps).

[swag]

You're right that Jazzfest is an especially tight time period for hotels, and your particular nights make it even harder (some hotels may have 3 night minimums, plus friday and saturday nights are always busiest). That said, I do think you'll be able to get something under $150. The secret is, you'll need to be patient. Because demand is high, most years, hotels don't release low price rooms to PL/HW until 2-4 weeks before the festival, when they have a better idea of what their inventory will look like. So you may need to wait until April to bid successfully.

If you don't want to wait, you might also take a look at the Jazzfest rates at http://www.nojazzfest.com/travel/ There's no requirement to actually attend the festival to book these (thought I really recommend a day at the Fest if you can fit it in, it's my favorite festival anywhere).

They have a few downtown properties listed in or near your price range. For example, the Courtyard Conv Ctr for $139, Hilton Garden Inn for $159, Holiday Inn Superdome for $133, Hotel New Orleans for $149... I'm not sure what the availability is at these rates, but it may be worth making a phone call or two.

Good luck.

[thereuare]

Must be within walking distance of cruise port...

I think this may be a tough one given that you can end up anywhere within the boundaries you select, and keep in mind it may be hot and/or humid in New Orleans, and i assume you'll have luggage?

Given the very tight demand at the moment i think you'll need to be more flexible if you're looking for a deal... if you can get a discounted price and need to spend $10 on cab fare wouldn't you still come out ahead??

Since you're leaning towards using HOTWIRE, do a search there... do you see anything which meets your star rating, budget and is within in a zone that is within walking distance to the pier?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[rochbaz]

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming, they are a HUGE help!!!

Called Olivier House, and unfortunately they are requiring a 4 night stay during that weekend. Seen alot of this for those dates. I can only stay 2 nights, 5/6 & 5/7.

Cabs in NO start at $7pp so anywhere outside the FQ and walking distance from Bourbon Street/Cruise port adds up pretty quickly.

Plan was to put the car with the luggage in at Fulton Street Parking garage which is $10/day, runs a free non stop shuttle and is walking distance everything. This also avoids hotel parking rates, which some are charging up to $17/day, on top of my Hotwire/Priceline rate :)

Tried a couple hotels on the Jazzfest site and they are already sold out. Will continue the list unless anyone else has some suggestions! Thanks guys!!!!!