Arriving in NOLA
June 30, 2008
They're jazzed we're here
The first mission was to get to our hotel. While waiting for our luggage I spotted an airport shuttle service counter right around the corner. So we spent the $30 cause it seemed the easiest. You'll probably get going faster in a cab though. ;)
We arrived at the Queen & Crescent Hotel (see review) at around 4:00pm. Checked in and went to the side building since our room wasn't located in the main building. The neighborhood gave me the creeps already. It looked very industrial to me. We decided to throw in a quick nap before starting to explore. It was too hot outside to be running around anyways.
After we woke up an hour later we both wanted something to eat.
Pretty balconies in the French Quarter
So after that experience we were eager to find a GOOD place to eat. We headed towards the French Quarter. We finally found a place called the Oceana Grill on Rui Conti just off Bourbon St. We walked in and ordered. My friend had told me about the Po-boy sandwiches so I ordered that and hubby had a mixed seafood plater. Everything came fried, I mean EVERYTHING. Wow! It was tasty but not what I had expected. We were full none the less.
The rest of the night was dedicated to exploring Bourbon Street. We went to a couple of bars. Never for longer then one drink just to scout out the good places. You can see some of the places we went to in the pictures. Most of them were not memorable enough to write about them. I will be writing about the good ones in the days to come!
However, we did enjoy our first night here! I can definitely understand what all the fuzz is about! The European feel of the French Quarter makes you feel right at home!
Well, we went to bed "early" if that's what you want to call it. ;) Midnight snack: Pizza at Jester's
They're jazzed we're here
Pretty balconies in the French Q...
My hubby on Bourbon Street
Me on Bourbon Street
Outside the Old Absinthe House
The Old Absinthe house on Bourbo...
Little Alley in the French Quarter
I believe this was a police stat...
Back streets in the French Quarter
Pretty booze hall
It's getting darker on Bourbon S...
After 7pm they close off Bourbon...
New Orleans skyline
Looking down Canal Street
Canal Street looking the other way
Map of New Orleans
What time is it?
Creepy shadow (not mine)
At Cats Meow Karaoke bar
Hubby at Cats
Oh behave!!!
Jester's, best pizza in NOLA
wall art
free shots?!?
Elegant Boutique Hotel near French Quarter
We stayed at the Queen & Crescent Hotel for four nights during our stay in New Orleans. We had booked the room on the Internet. That's why we were a little surprised as we were politely told at check in that there was a mandatory fee of $6.95 per night for WiFi and unlimited local calls. We said we wouldn't need either but had to pay it anyways. I hate being shaken for every penny so I was not very pleased with this. The lady at check in was very polite though so I didn't make a scene. ;)
Our room wasn't in the main building. It was next door and the two buildings are separated from each other by a small street. No biggie though. For security we had to use our room key to get into this building since there was no one in the lobby to check who walks in and out.
Our room on the 3rd floor (yes, there are elevators) was big with a nice king sized bed, a little desk and a TV stand. It was missing a mini fridge which would have been very useful in the days to come, to store some drinks or the left over Gyro from the night before. ;)
I spotted a stain on one of the throw pillows but decided to just throw it in the corner and not worry about it. The rest of the sheets were clean though.
The bathroom was also a good size, well lit and very clean with enough towels for two.
Now I have one bone to pick with the room. The windows were a joke. They might as well remove them and wall the place up. You couldn't see ANYTHING out of them. I had only seen windows like these in basements before. But I'm guessing the view would not have been enjoyable anyways so I shut the curtains and ignored them for the rest of the stay. lol
As to the room service. We got fresh towels every day and the bed was neatly made when we got back from exploring.
Not a bad place to stay even though the neighborhood looked a bit shady to me at first but since the hotel is only 3 blocks from Canal Street and 6 from Bourbon Street I guess I can't complain too much.
If I left out anything you might be interested in don't be afraid to ask!
Our room wasn't in the main building. It was next door and the two buildings are separated from each other by a small street. No biggie though. For security we had to use our room key to get into this building since there was no one in the lobby to check who walks in and out.
Our room on the 3rd floor (yes, there are elevators) was big with a nice king sized bed, a little desk and a TV stand. It was missing a mini fridge which would have been very useful in the days to come, to store some drinks or the left over Gyro from the night before. ;)
I spotted a stain on one of the throw pillows but decided to just throw it in the corner and not worry about it. The rest of the sheets were clean though.
The bathroom was also a good size, well lit and very clean with enough towels for two.
Now I have one bone to pick with the room. The windows were a joke. They might as well remove them and wall the place up. You couldn't see ANYTHING out of them. I had only seen windows like these in basements before. But I'm guessing the view would not have been enjoyable anyways so I shut the curtains and ignored them for the rest of the stay. lol
As to the room service. We got fresh towels every day and the bed was neatly made when we got back from exploring.
Not a bad place to stay even though the neighborhood looked a bit shady to me at first but since the hotel is only 3 blocks from Canal Street and 6 from Bourbon Street I guess I can't complain too much.
If I left out anything you might be interested in don't be afraid to ask!
The lobby/Check in
The lobby/side building
Our room
A bit dark, hotel from the outside
The hotel bar
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Neat Café, but that's it.
This was our first place to eat while in New Orleans. Our waiter was friendly and seated us at one of the little tables outside like we requested. He brought as the lunch menu which was a bit small. Maybe it was a menu for people that wanted to be seated outside. ;) We ordered two different shrimp meals. While we were waiting for our food we were served some fresh bread which was delicious! Very satisfying to my European standards. hahahaha
As the food arrived and our stomachs were growling because we were so hungry, we were a bit disappointed by the size of the portions. They were tiny! About the taste. You'd think that when you are very hungry anything would taste good. Well, this meal didn't. So we finished the little that was there and politely paid the overpriced check.
I don't know about the dinner menu or their brunch, but the lunch I would definitely not recommend. There are way better places to eat at in New Orleans so don't waste your time and more importantly your money!
If you are just planning on having a coffee and watching people walk by (as we Europeans love to do) then this place is probably not that bad.
As the food arrived and our stomachs were growling because we were so hungry, we were a bit disappointed by the size of the portions. They were tiny! About the taste. You'd think that when you are very hungry anything would taste good. Well, this meal didn't. So we finished the little that was there and politely paid the overpriced check.
I don't know about the dinner menu or their brunch, but the lunch I would definitely not recommend. There are way better places to eat at in New Orleans so don't waste your time and more importantly your money!
If you are just planning on having a coffee and watching people walk by (as we Europeans love to do) then this place is probably not that bad.
Inside the restaurant
