Well, I'm going to New Orleans for a wedding the first week of February, and I'm trying to find accomodations for myself and 4 others. My favorite B&B is booked, and said FEMA has pretty much the entire city rented out. Anyone have any suggestions? The lady at the B&B said that the Wyndham and the Andrew Jackson were the only hotels she know of not taking people for FEMA....
[ January 23, 2006, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: smitty ]
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I would try travelocity or expedia, and then follow up by calling the hotel to confirm.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
What's your favorite B&B? A family friend owns a place called the Mandevilla on St. Charles that you might want to try. 504-288-0484. If not, I'm sure they can find you somewhere else to stay.
Or you can all crash on my living room floor.
-pH
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Bannana Courtyard has some nice ones, we like the... Camelback, I think it's called. We've got some people that have offered to put us up, but we hate to impose. I've already hit all the major travel sites, I'm looking for insights, so I don't end up paying $200 per night per room. pH, I'll give them a call!!
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
pH, I'm going to buy you something very nice....
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Did they help? Did they help?
-pH
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Have you asked the couple getting married or their close family? Often, couples will reserve a block of hotels for their out of town guests, or at least provide them with a list of possible hotels. I'm pretty sure that's strongly suggested in the etiquette books. Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
They reserved a block, but the rooms were $140 per night, plus 12.5% tax, and we'd need three rooms - the B&B pH suggested didn't have any rooms, but had a carriage house that would more than meet our needs, for slightly more than 2 hotel rooms. Plus we could let others from the wedding that needed a place stay with us, if needed. I've got to double check with my other party, but yeah pH, I think they have me taken care of! Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Wow. That's pretty pricy.
I must remember to reserve hotel rooms early for my guests coming to our renewal of vows ceremony. We all ain't rich.
Glad you found a place.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Well, it's because FEMA is buying up most of the rooms, so the remaining rooms are pretty pricey. And considering this is the marriage of two Catholic families, I imagine those rooms are going to fill up quick. Plus, it's mom mom and dad and little sis going with us, and it's their first trip to the Big Easy - wanted them to have a good experience!
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I think my mom and I stayed in that carriage house once. It's really, really nice. And the family that runs it is great. I hope it works out for you!
Edit: And if Copeland's is open by then, we should all meet up for lunch if you have time!
-pH
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Yeah, Copeland's. Count me in for that.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Is Copeland's the cheesecake place? She said some great place on the corner was open, but the cheesecake place wasn't. If it's open, lunch would be awesome.
Mom's throwing a monkey into my wrench, apparently she wasn't planning on going down at the same time. I'm trying to convince her to leave early with us, and see the sights!
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Copeland's is on the corner of Napolean and St. Charles (the one closest to me is, anyway). And it has Cajun food.
I think it was boarded up when we were up there last week, but I don't remember. But the site says they're hiring for all locations. So perhaps it's open, after all.
Hatrack gathering at Copeland's!
-pH
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Copeland's is a seafood restaurant, but they have a spinoff chain called Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro. As far as I know, they both have cheesecake.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Well, even if it's not open now, we've got a few weeks, right? here's hoping!
Edit: The Cheesecake Bistro sounds like what the lady was saying was closed
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
There's a hibachi place that rules, too. Hibachi is tasty. And by tasty, I mean very entertaining.
But I've gotta run right now. Gotta finish packing the car and hit the road. For New Orleans!
-pH
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Well, doesn't look like the carriage house is going to work - apparently my folks aren't coming down at the same time we are (like we had planned). Means Kell and I are going to have to share a room with my little sister for a few days Posted by martha (Member # 141) on :
Is Kokopelli's open? We used to go there a lot. And there was a really wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant on S.Carrollton not too far from Riverbend, I don't know if that's still there but if it is I highly recommend it. (Man, I wish I remembered its name!)
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
I'll gladly take any restaurant reccomentations. It won't be like my first time down there... I've since developed a bad allergy to shellfish. I was SO mad I couldn't eat my favorite dishes on my last trip.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
That really sucks that you're allergic to shellfish. They're delicious.
One of my good friends is allergic to shellfish, and I've never been able to imagine how I could have grown up in Louisiana and not been able to eat seafood.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
I've heard crawfish won't make me have a reaction, but I'm hesitant to try it out. And it's pretty difficult to order dishes in the Big Easy and be sure there's not shellfish in it, or it's not cooked with shellfish. Maybe I'll just take a pack of Benadryl and an Epi Pen...
Posted by Silkie (Member # 8853) on :
Gambino's Bakery has awesome cheesecake, along with many other goodies. They ship their pasteries, and in browsing for the site I got hooked by their Kingcake display.
Pricey, but you get what you pay for!
I remember Copeland's having much more than seafood, but it has been years since I was back there. When I was much younger and single, my friends would gather there now and then to spend an afternoon drinking Champagne and eating Cajun Popcorn (fried Crawfish) - Yum!
Posted by Silkie (Member # 8853) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty: They reserved a block, but the rooms were $140 per night, plus 12.5% tax, and we'd need three rooms - the B&B pH suggested didn't have any rooms, but had a carriage house that would more than meet our needs, for slightly more than 2 hotel rooms. Plus we could let others from the wedding that needed a place stay with us, if needed. I've got to double check with my other party, but yeah pH, I think they have me taken care of!
Even before the Katrina Disaster when we visited it was difficult to find a hotel in the center of town for less than $100. a night. My hubby and I stayed in Kenner last time, because it was much cheaper. There's a lot to be said for being in the heart of everything though.
Have a wonderful time!
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Thank you for reminding me that it's almost King Cake time. My mom used to ship them to me in Montana for my birthday, and they were a big hit.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
*thinks* My ex and I stayed at a Days Inn on Canal Street last year for what I think came to about $100 a night, including parking.
-pH
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Well, now I made the reservations, at the Andrew Jackson - a room with two double beds, and a room with a queen size bed. Now, however, my little brother is coming as well - and since he and my sister don't really get along, it guarantees I won't get any alone time with Kelly It makes the B&B I wanted to stay in so much more practical.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Not sure if this is helpful, but there are three kosher restaurants in New Orleans. (And Jewish NOLA says they have reopened.) But I can tell you none of them will have shellfish (although they may have regular fish).
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Thanks Rivka.
Posted by Silkie (Member # 8853) on :
This may help you figure out what is open, and what is not:
Well, I leave for the Big Easy in 1 week and 16 hours... Any final reccomendations? I know we're hitting the French Market, Jackson Brewery, Pat O'Brian's. Oh, and my sister wants to meet a Voodoo Queen (meeting one last time resulted in an unfortunate nickname for me, I'm not as eager)
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
We should get the local hatrackers together for lunch or something while you're there.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Think anybody would be interested in meeting up for lunch one of the days you're there?
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
I'd be willing to give it a try, but I don't think I'm going to be free on a weekend day.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I'm free a good deal of the time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And hey, if you need someone to pick you guys up from the airport or something, let me know.
-pH
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:There's a hibachi place that rules, too. Hibachi is tasty. And by tasty, I mean very entertaining.
Someone is going to have to explain to me what a hibachi place is, since it apparently means something very different in English.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
We're driving in pH, I appreciate the offer. We have friends in Jackson, so we're gonna stop in and say hi on the way down. I like to drive.
I'll be getting in Wed in the early afternoon, and should be available Friday.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Awesome. I only have one class on Fridays, so I can meet for lunch or dinner. Technically, I can meet for breakfast too, but that's pushing it.
-pH
[ January 24, 2006, 09:13 AM: Message edited by: pH ]
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I could possibly do dinner on Friday.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Friday is the rehearsal dinner - I really don't know what time any of this stuff is happening. I need to talk to the Groom.
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Well crap. Now it looks like the only night I'll be available is Wed, and I have no clue what time I'm getting into town. pH, I'd be willing to do the lunch thing, but I'm not sure my wife would let me keep chatting on the forums if the only person she met was some young southern belle.... I'll be back to NO another time, when I don't have any plans (aside from the drinking beer with all three major meals )
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
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But the site says they're hiring for all locations. So perhaps it's open, after all.![[Mad]](mad.gif)
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It makes the B&B I wanted to stay in so much more practical.
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