Description: This was another holiday period away from home; we actually had been trying to get to the Far East, but apparently could not get airline seats to come back. Tempting as it was, we ended up going to New Orleans. It was a redo for me, but Chuck had never been there. We were very fortunate, once again, to get the Marriott hotel on Canal Street, in the heart of the French Quarter. Making things even more pleasant was that we had a room on the 35th floor. At that height, even eyesores can look good.
As we arrived on Christmas evening, most everything was closed, and we had developed an appetite. It was quite chilly outside, so we went for a couple of blocks and came right back. Thankfully, the Café du Marché restaurant was open, so we were able to grab a bite there. The hotel offers another restaurant on the 41st floor, fittingly called the Riverview. Also available are two bars where you can drink and eat light meals.
Both of us fell in love with the Perks Starbucks stand, right next to the lobby restaurant, and were able to enjoy breakfast in the large lobby area, which had fabulous seating arrangements and was not too crowded, making it ideal. We would have chai lattés or other beverages with chocolate croissants or scones, and it would be a great way to start the day. This also became our browsing area, when we wanted to check out activities or read local news.
What makes the hotel so great is its central location; you can easily walk to the French Quarter or cross Canal to take the trolley. A few blocks away, if you are so inclined, Harrah’s will be happy to make you poorer. Should you be able to resist temptation and walk past Harrah’s, the Riverwalk can empty your pockets as well, but it’s more fun if you’re not a gambler.
You also never know what you’re going to find on the streets, and one evening, we had a spray-paint artist doing surreal spacescapes in a matter of minutes. I had seen those before, but this artist was so imaginative and so quick. Chuck bought me my favorite one, which I have had framed and hung in my office.
Marriott rooms are never a disappointment. Just have a look at the picture to see what we can do to a working desk in a matter of hours. The view was worth everything, even though we paid a fraction of the cost for the room; all amenities were provided, including a two-line phone. The bed was quite cozy and is most likely competing with the Westin bed now for comfort. If you need advice, there is a concierge there to help you. Since we like to play concierge, we do most of the research.
Close