Unbelievable New Orleans Stay: Homewood Suites French Quarter Steal!
Unbelievable New Orleans Stay: Homewood Suites French Quarter Steal! - A Messy, Honest Review (With a Side of NOLA Magic)
Alright, y'all. Buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on my recent adventure to the heart of New Orleans: The Homewood Suites in the French Quarter. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs, this is the REAL deal. Prepare for a review that's as jazzy and unpredictable as a late-night jam session on Bourbon Street.
First Impressions: French Quarter Frolic (and a Little Panic!)
Pulling up, the location is… chef's kiss. Seriously, walking distance to everything. Everything. The vibrant chaos of Jackson Square? Check. The intoxicating aromas of beignets and chicory coffee? Double check. The initial thrill was pure NOLA magic, amplified by the hotel's exterior – classic wrought iron balconies, the whole shebang. Now, the internal me, the one prone to mini-meltdowns, started to panic. New Orleans, even after all this time, felt slightly intimidating in its raw vibrancy. BUT! The check-in was a breeze. Contactless check-in/out – thank goodness! Less human interaction, the better for this easily flustered traveler. And the staff? Bless their hearts, they were unfailingly polite and ready to point me in the right direction anytime. 24-hour front desk – a godsend for late-night cravings for, what else, beignets!
Accessibility & "Stuff That Matters" (Because Everyone Deserves Comfort)
Okay, so, this is SUPER important. Wheelchair accessible. The hotel is designed to accommodate everyone, which is a huge win. Elevator access? Yep. I didn’t need it personally, but I saw it, which makes things much easier.
Rooms: Cozy, Clean, and Oh-So-Welcome
My room? A haven! Non-smoking, thank the heavens. Air conditioning blaring (essential in the Louisiana humidity!). Free Wi-Fi (in all rooms, let the social media stalking begin!). The free bottled water, a lifesaver. Now, let's be honest, I'm a stickler for hygiene, especially these days. So, seeing those anti-viral cleaning products were a huge relief. Seeing the rooms sanitized between stays made the clean freak in me breathe a sigh of relief. It's the little things, people. This hotel got it.
The room itself? Spacious. Separate shower/bathtub. Good water pressure! (A serious pet peeve of mine). Blackout curtains? Needed them! All the partying going on outside could get a girl tired. Plus, the extra long bed was a must when you need to spread out from the day! The coffee/tea maker setup was great for getting my day going. Every morning, I could wake up, and immediately have caffeine coursing through my veins! I loved having Desk and Laptop workspace because even on vacation, I need to send emails.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Beignets, Anyone?)
Breakfast was included! Hooray! Breakfast [buffet], that meant no need to look for one. It was a standard, continental affair, but hey, Western breakfast is a welcome site. Coffee/tea in the restaurant was a nice touch.
I did check out the convenience store downstairs for basic snacks and drinks. There was a Poolside bar, and that was great to enjoy a cocktail and just relax in my downtime.
Things To Do (Beyond Bourbon Street!)
Okay, so, I'm a bit of a spa-holic (Spa, Sauna, Steamroom - all the good stuff). The Homewood Suites… didn't quite have all that. But hey, you're in New Orleans! The city is your spa! Walking around, the city itself will do the work. And the swimming pool [outdoor] was perfect for a short dip and a relaxing break.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Peace of Mind Factor
This is where the Homewood Suites really shines. Post-pandemic, I'm paranoid. So, seeing the daily disinfection in common areas and the staff trained in safety protocol was a HUGE comfort. Hand sanitizer everywhere. I wanted to eat it so much I was pleased it existed.
Getting Around & The Little Details
Car park [free of charge]? Yes! A massive perk in a city where parking can be a nightmare. Taxi service is readily available, too. Luggage storage? Yep.
Beyond The Check-List
Honestly, the best part of this stay was the feeling. It wasn't just a hotel, it was a home base. A place to retreat from the sensory overload and recharge. A place where I could collapse after a day of exploring, covered in glitter from a parade.
The Imperfections?
Okay, the hotel isn't a luxury resort. It's a solid, well-managed, clean, and perfectly located hotel. If you're looking for pure, unadulterated luxury, then look elsewhere. There were no really amazing views, and the breakfast, while free, wasn't Michelin-star quality. But for the price, and the location, it was a STEAL.
My Emotional Breakdown Moment (and How the Hotel Survived) Here's where I get real. On day two, I walked into a parade on Canal Street after a long day of being a tourist, and I was just overwhelmed. The heat, the crowds, the noise… It hit me like a ton of bricks. I wanted to hide. I went back to the hotel and found the perfect place to hide, in my bedroom, under the covers. I ordered room service, and a mountain of beignets! This had to be the perfect place to rest.
The Verdict: Run, Don't Walk…Or Uber, If You Prefer!
Unbelievable New Orleans Stay: Homewood Suites French Quarter Steal! is a winner. It's not perfect, it's not pretentious, but it's incredibly well-located, clean, safe, and a fantastic value. If you're heading to New Orleans, don't hesitate. Book it. You won't regret it.
Special Offer (Because I Want You To Be as Happy as Me!)
Book now for a stay at Homewood Suites French Quarter and get:
- 15% off your Best Available Rate - (and hey, for me, that gets you closer to your personal paradise!)
- Free early check-in/late check-out (because we all need a little extra time to unwind).
- Complimentary welcome drink at the Poolside Bar (because, cocktails!)
- Valid for stays booked before [date], for travel between [date] and [date].
Just use the code "JAZZYGETAWAY" when booking!
This. Is. New Orleans. Book it, and enjoy!
Decatur's BEST Hotel? Home2 Suites Ingalls Harbor Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to plunge headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my New Orleans adventure, specifically, slinging my weary bones into the comfy embrace of the Homewood Suites by Hilton in the French Quarter. Prepare for a rollercoaster, 'cause I'm pretty sure my itinerary's gonna be a less-than-smooth ride.
Day 1: Arrival, Humidity, and a Humble Pie
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Okay, here's the truth bomb: I HATE flying. Loathe it. The recycled air, the cramped seats, the existential dread of trusting a metal tube to stay aloft… Ugh. Thankfully, this flight mostly went smoothly. Mostly. A screaming toddler in the row behind me was the official soundtrack, but hey, at least it distracted me from the turbulence.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to Homewood Suites. The driver? Let's just say he was a character. Gave me the whole tour of "This is where the river flows," and "Y'all will love the beignets, ya hear?" I'm not sure I understood half of what he said, but I loved the enthusiasm. Plus, he pointed out all the damage from Hurricane Katrina, which was sobering but also made me appreciate the city's resilience.
- 12:00 PM: Check-in at Homewood Suites. First impressions? Clean, spacious (a godsend after that cramped flight!), and the free breakfast situation seemed promising. Honestly, I was just relieved to be somewhere. NOLA's humidity slapped me in the face the second I stepped out of the cab – I swear I could taste the air.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: Cafe Du Monde, naturally. Ugh. This is where things get messy. I pictured myself, sipping chicory coffee, inhaling powdered sugar, and gazing at Jackson Square as some perfect tourist. The reality? A gigantic line, a frantic scramble for a table, and a MASSIVE powdered sugar explosion all over my face (and, inevitably, my new white shirt). Let's just say I looked more like a powdered sugar ghost than a sophisticated traveler. The beignets? Still amazing. Worth the mess? Absolutely. Would do it again? Probably.
- 3:00 PM: Wandering the French Quarter. Okay, THIS is what I came for. The wrought-iron balconies dripping with flowers, the street musicians blasting jazz, the vibrant colors… it's sensory overload in the best possible way. I stumbled down a side street, got completely lost, and loved every second. I even found a tiny antique shop and bought a weird, porcelain cat figurine I have no space for. Priorities, people.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: A local restaurant, The Gumbo Shop. Holy mother of pearl. I'm a gumbo fanatic, and this place was a revelation. Spicy, rich, with just the right amount of kick. I could have eaten three bowls. The waiter? A jovial, silver-haired gentleman who regaled me with stories about the city and its people (and kept my water glass filled).
- 8:00 PM: Live jazz at Preservation Hall. This was… transcendent. I'm not exaggerating. Small, intimate, and the music was just pure, unadulterated soul. The musicians were legendary, and I found myself getting swept away in the rhythm. It was so good that I forgot to take any pictures.
- 10:00 PM: Back to the hotel, exhausted and exhilarated. I swear, I was so tired I couldn't even remember my own name.
Day 2: Cemeteries, Cocktails, and Regret?
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel: Fine, standard fare. I'm not complaining. They had those little waffle makers you could use, so I took advantage.
- 10:00 AM: Cemetery tour. So, here's where my travel planning faltered slightly. I signed up for a "historical cemetery tour" assuming it'd be all cool facts and spooky stories. Turns out, it was also a lot of walking in the midday sun, and I'm apparently not as fit as I thought. The tombs were fascinating, though! Seeing all these beautiful, elaborate structures was hauntingly beautiful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at… I can't even remember the name, but it was a little dive bar with amazing po'boys. I devoured a shrimp po'boy so fast I barely remember tasting it.
- 2:00 PM: Cocktail tour. Okay, this is where things get really interesting. New Orleans cocktails are serious business, and a "tour" seemed like a responsible way to sample the local delicacies. We started at the Carousel Bar (impressive!), had a Sazerac (powerful!), and a hurricane (more powerful!).
- 5:00 PM: Okay, the memory gets hazy. I vaguely recall singing karaoke at a bar with some random strangers and making questionable life choices.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner: I think I ate something from a food truck. Or maybe it was hotel room service. Honestly, at this point, my memory is pretty much fried.
- 10:00 PM: Crawled back to the hotel, muttering about needing more water and questioning all my life choices.
Day 3: Recovery, Riverboats, and Realizations
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast, again because there's no judgment here. Took advantage of the free breakfast and consumed as much as I could. I was going to need it.
- 10:00 AM: A slow, painful walk through the Quarter. I needed to feel like I was not going to die. I bought a bottle of Gatorade and a giant bottle of water.
- 12:00 PM: Riverboat cruise. This was actually kind of lovely. Gentle jazz, the scenery's nice, and I sat in the back and watched the world go by.
- 2:00 PM: Shopping. Did some souvenir shopping. Got a t-shirt that said "New Orleans or Bust."
- 4:00 PM: Packing up my bags. Started to realize I'm going back to real life.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, one last hurrah: A nice Creole meal at a restaurant recommended by…someone.
- 7:30 PM: Final stroll through the French Quarter, one last look.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel, packing, preparing to leave, not wanting to, and realizing how much I'll miss this crazy place.
Day 4: Departure
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. Said goodbye to the free waffles.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport, same driver (thankfully).
- 12:00 PM: Flight home.
Final Thoughts:
New Orleans, you magnificent, chaotic, powdered-sugar-covered mess of a city. You gave me hangovers, heart, and memories that I'll cherish forever (or, at least, until the next time I visit!). Despite the mess, the imperfections, the questionable choices, I'm already planning my return. You've got a soul, New Orleans, and it's absolutely captivating. And the Homewood Suites? Comfy, clean, and a much-needed sanctuary from the madness. Definitely a winner.
Note: This itinerary is a rough approximation. Actual events may have been embellished, blurred, or completely forgotten in the heat of the moment. Please don't judge me. This city… It does things to you.
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Unbelievable New Orleans Stay: Homewood Suites French Quarter Steal! (Or Did I Just Spend Too Much on Beignets?) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, spill the tea! Was this Homewood Suites in the French Quarter *really* a steal?
The location – you hinted at Bourbon Street. How… *loud* was it?
What about the suite itself? Was it actually a *suite*? Or just a glorified shoebox?
Breakfast! Free breakfast, right? And was it, like, *good* free breakfast?
Okay, the tiny details! Like… the pool? The staff? Parking? Spill the tea (again).
Is there anything you *didn't* like about this hotel? Be brutally honest!
Would you stay here again? (And would you bring me beignets?)
