Hotwire Hotel: 4.5* New Orleans (Downtown) Le Pavillon

[LC1]

Hi There,

Bid last week on 4.5* in downtown/CBD. Yup, it is Le Pavillion

I travel a lot and work in a field that often takes me to many fine hotels all over the world. I also do professional travel and arts and culture writing and get to stay in all sorts of cities and all sorts of starred places at all sorts of price ranges. Here's my take on Le Pavillion:

For the $70-125 price range it is a fantastic bargain. For anything above that I wouldn't place it in an awesome category. However, being outside of the French Quater, the location is still great. 2 blocks from the St. Charles Streetcar and a short walk to the French Quater, Warehouse District, etc. A real local treat is the Cresent City Farmers Market on Girod on Saturdays, just a few blocks away.

Is it really a 4.5* hotel? Maybe from the lobby, the pool and the fitness center, but I would certainly not call the rooms they have reserved for Hotwire 4.5* worthy. It's an old hotel, 100 years this year as a matter of fact, and a little frayed around the edges - kind of reminds me of a fancy Grandma house. Very into Queen Anne style furniture and brocade with lots of fancy trim and regency period lamps, etc. Also, nothing like fake plants in the room to say classy! (I'm being sarcastic here obviously). Still, remember for the price, this is a killer bargain in New Orleans, period.

Plus, the staff here is super nice and friendly and I do appreciate that. Also, from 10-11PM they offer free hot chocolate, milk and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Also choice of free Times Picayune newspaper or Wall Street Journal in the Am.

Check in is officially 3PM, but they let me check in at 11AM which is wonderful. Check out is 3PM

Things you need to know:

1. Parking is fairly steep. Approx $38.00 per night

2. The desk clerk told me that all rooms at this price through hotwire are single Queen beds only. That kind of bums me out as there was no way to know this before bidding, and my boyfriend is a big 6'2" dude, but there you have it.

3. Room is fairly small, but with high ceilings.

4. Bathroom is not 4.5*. End of discussion. No Tub, small walk in shower only, some of the grout crumbling and a few weird stains in places, etc. (hot water and water pressure are good though)

5. Little details like pillows, robes, complementary soap and shampoo, etc are not that great. For example, the shampoo and soaps are wrapped all fancy, but they are not premium - more like the cheap Suave and Ivory Soap variety. One robe in my room is super soft and fluffy and big and the other? Well, let's just say it is old, kind of thin terry and scratchy. Hairdryer is a tiny little puff of hot air thing - and retro, easily from the 1980s.

6. Rooms are clean,

7. They have free wifi (hurrah), but I wouldn't call the rooms business friendly. Outlet plugs are lacking in the rooms (the one by the desk is about 4 feet away WTF?) and the one by the bed (for plugging a cellphone into for example) takes a feat of human dexterity to get to. I like to use my laptop in bed and keep it charged, so this is extra sucky. Why have hotels not figured out that up to date outlets, NEXT TO THE BED, within easy access are a cell phone and laptop user's best friend?

8. The bathroom fan is clunky and loud

9. Towels are not the most luxurious either - a little thin if you ask me

10. Hotel is very, very quiet. No problems in that department

11. Bed is comfortable. Not the most sturdy, for those on a "romantic" getaway, you might be bumping into the wall and annoying your neighbors. I tested it, but get your minds out of the gutter people, I just jumped around on it, etc. (although my boyfriend will be arriving tonight so hopefully our neighbors wont hate us)

12. Minibar prices are a total rip off. Unless you are on someone else's expense account, be sure to read the price list before you get the midnight munchies and/or want a drinkie. For example Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are $2.99, A can of Coke is $2.99, A bottle of Miller Lite (Miller Lite!) is $5.99.

But still, and like I said, Le Pavillion is still a great bargain. But if you want more than a queen bed, and truly want 4.5* and think you are bidding on that, I have to say, Le Pavillion is not the best idea.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Congratulations on your win and thank you for sharing your results with the board. As you point out, with PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, it's usually about value, and while perhaps the hotel didn't live up to your 4.5* expectations, glad to feel you received good value for your purchase price.

Can you please add to this thread the dates of your stay (so this thread will appear in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins) and the amenities shown before your purchase... you can still view these by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.