View from our hotel room
Vacationing with your family? You can't beat the accommodations at Loews New Orleans Hotel. At over 500 square feet, the Grand City View Queen Rooms are the largest hotel rooms in the city, and feature a seating area to make them even more comfortable (to go along with the views).
The hotel location is prime - we were able to walk out the front doors and enjoy an afternoon stroll through the French Quarter (including a visit to St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square), an educational day at the National World War II Museum just blocks away, and even a tour of floats (being housed and being built) at Blain Kern's Mardi Gras World. There's a shuttle stop for Mardi Gras World across street from the hotel, and it will drop you off at a different location on your return if you'd like to head straight, say, to the French Quarter. Also within walking distance: the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Butterly Garden and Insectarium, the Louisiana Children's Museum, the outlet mall at Riverwalk, and of course, restaurants galore. The Audubon Zoo is just a ferry ride away.
Want to explore more of the city? From your hotel location, you can also jump on the Canal Street streetcar to get to City Park, home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, and a host of awesome attractions for kids. If your kids like to climb, they'll love the giant oak trees. There's miniature golf at City Putt, the historic Train Garden, Storyland (which features larger than life storybook structures like a giant Cinderella pumpkin coach), and even an amusement park. During the holidays, you won't want to miss the lights of Celebration in the Oaks. We didn't have time for beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter this trip, but there's a Morning Call in City Park which offers a similar (and I think equally delicious) experience.
After a busy day spent at the National World War II Museum, followed by dinner at one of my all-time favorite "fancy" restaurants - Galatoire's on Bourbon Street, we returned to our hotel where the boys stayed up until after midnight playing chess in the beautiful lobby. (Adults might find themselves heading to Harrah's Casino across the street.) The following morning, we walked across the street for "brunch" at another of my local favorites - the super casual Mother's, where you can feast on a debris sandwich, crawfish étouffée omelette, and some of the biggest biscuits you'll ever see.
The hotel surprised us with the special gifts pictured below - stuffed gators, Mardi Gras beads, and a variety of snacks. And after our two busy days touring, it's no surprise that everyone slept well.
If we'd had more time, I would have loved to have tried the hotel's Café Adelaide, which offers modern creole cuisine - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and is part of the Commander's Palace Family of Restaurants.
Something else to note: Loews Hotel is pet-friendly, AND for your human kids, there are the Loews Loves Kids programs. Complimentary gifts are presented upon arrival for children under 10, and a “kids closet” offers items such as toys, books, car seats, strollers, nightlights, potty seats, baby bathtub, baby blankets, self-contained DVD players and more.
We're hoping to make a return visit to New Orleans during our school February break, which happens to coincide with Mardi Gras season this year. Another stay at Loews Hotel might be in order!
VISIT LOEWS HOTEL NEW ORLEANS
300 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
Phone: 504-595-3300
Reservations: 1-877-877-4941
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
* Be sure to CLICK HERE to see what specials and package deals are available, such as the National World War II Experience Package.
