It is time for us party revelers to get ready for a hot and steamy Southern Decadence 2003 in New Orleans on Labor Day weekend. This year Labor Day falls on September 1, 2003. I have done some research for hotel availability in and around the French Quarter area. Here is the list of nice hotels that are available for about $100 or less. You can use the information to either book directly with the hotels or through an Internet service such as Expedia.com or as a tool to bid for a room at Priceline.com. At this moment, I am recommending the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. This large hotel sits at the bank of the Mississippi River at the River Center Mall and is two blocks from the French Quarter. Their Decadence Rate is only $89/night and it comes with complimentary self-parking. This is a good deal because all of the hotels in the FQ area charge anywhere from $15 to $40 per night for parking. Make sure you click the appropriate rate when you book your room otherwise, you will be stuck with parking fees.
If you are a gambler and want to stay in other hotels, you can park at Harrah’s Casino parking garage and gamble for ½ hour a day then you will receive free parking there. I must let you know that I already booked my room at the W New Orleans. It is close to the Hilton, but its’ rates are high. However, the atmosphere makes it my favorite hotel.
UP DATE 6-2-03: The Queen and Crescent special rate throughexpedia.com is sold out. *** ALSO, The Marriott New Orleans rate is lowered to $99/night. My choice is still the Hilton Riverside. I also decided to include some of the more expensive hotels in the chart below.
UPDATE 6-23-03 THE HITON RIVERSIDE have incredible rates starting at $71/night (21 days with no refund) to the best one so far of $89/night – with third night free after two night stay. The Decadence rate with the free parking is still availableALSO the Sheraton rate now starts at $85/night
UPDATE 7-29-03 THE HILTON RIVERSIDE – The great Decadence Rate of $89/night, buy two nights get third free, AND the $72/night no refund rates are ALL SOLD OUT!!! The lowest rate at the Hilton Riverside as is $98/night. Please be advised that the longer you wait to book a room for a special rate, the chance of getting that rate is low since only a certain number of rooms are available for a specific rate.
PLEASE MAKE NOTE THAT I have always gotten great deals through www.priceline.com
