For anyone going to the game in New Orleans

[CosmoGirl]

you flying?

Yep. That trip is WAY over my max drive time.

[CosmoGirl]

Last weekend i got a hotwire hotel for $89 night. Sat-Tues. Turned out to be Le Pavillon.

Nice place, but very froo-froo so this being a guys trip i called hotwire to see if i could get a "less nice" hotel for the same price. No go.

Called the hotel, basically hinted that their nice place would be desecrated, they canceled me without question. lol

ended up at Astor Crown Plaza on Canal @ Bourbon.

If you want help figuring out the hotwire/PL hotels, check out this site.

http://www.betterbidding.com/

I stayed at the Astor Crown Plaza last year for a wedding. Not a bad place. BTW - it's the 4* Mystery Hotel on bookit.com for $109/nt so if you paid more for that, then you may want to rebook via bookit. Betterbidding and biddingfortravel are both great sites to make sure you know what your options are. I checked both. I was crossing fingers that I wouldn't get the Sheraton in the downtown 4* but that was the only one I didn't want. I'd have loved the W but no go.

[Peppa Jack Supreme]

we stayed at the marriot across the street from the JW Marriot. it was cool because Utah was staying there for the Sugar Bowl and we ran into Maake, Smith and Jordan a few times. We ended up buying Sugar Bowl tix and had a great time. if anybody goes out to the garden district to visit the cemetaries there is an awesome bbq place out the called Voodoo BBQ it worth the trip out there.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

Damn.. I wish I could hang with some of you folks... I love traveling, but have never been to a Panthers away game..

[TheSaint]

I stayed at the Astor Crown Plaza last year for a wedding. Not a bad place. BTW - it's the 4* Mystery Hotel on bookit.com for $109/nt so if you paid more for that, then you may want to rebook via bookit. Betterbidding and biddingfortravel are both great sites to make sure you know what your options are. I checked both. I was crossing fingers that I wouldn't get the Sheraton in the downtown 4* but that was the only one I didn't want. I'd have loved the W but no go.

It was around that price. But it was also Halloween weekend. Only time ive seen more people in the Q was Mardi Gras. Lots of people all weekend, with HW, the game, and a few conventions.

Is the W ever a Priceline or hotwire hotel?

Pregame on Bourbon is pretty fun.

[CosmoGirl]

It was around that price. But it was also Halloween weekend. Only time ive seen more people in the Q was Mardi Gras. Lots of people all weekend, with HW, the game, and a few conventions.

Is the W ever a Priceline or hotwire hotel?

Pregame on Bourbon is pretty fun.

Yeah, the W is listed as one. I think that someone posted a winning bid there. I'm happy with the JW, though. Plus, USUALLY, Marriott will give you points and credit for their rewards program even if booked via priceline (most won't).

[bigdog10]

is this the hotel that is in front of the casino

[2plankingpanther]

To you guys that go almost every year,how many Panther fans are usually at the game?

[Saint J]

If you're staying in the FQ or downtown in general it here are some good places to hit up:

Cafe Maspero

Central Grocery(Original Muffalettas)

Mothers

K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen

Drago's in the Hilton(chargrilled oysters)

Palace Cafe

Emeril's

Galatoire's and Antoine's for quintessential New Orleans fine dining

[Saint J]

avoid the Gumbo Shop, Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump's, etc.

Also, if you're bringing a date or significant other and want to impress, take the streetcar to St. Charles Avenue and walk around and look at the great mansions and houses lining the street. Then, hit up the Columns bar for a pre-dinner drink and go eat at either of these two Uptown restaurants: Clancy's and Commander's palace which are both classic N.O fine dining spots. Thank me later.

[CosmoGirl]

I had Clancy's last year. VERY good.

[X-Clown]

I'm staying there too. Can't wait!

Nevermind, I'm staying at Renaissance Pere Marquette.

[X-Clown]

avoid the Gumbo Shop

Heard really really good things about it from a friend of mine who grew up in Louisiana, why the avoidance recommendation?

[Saint J]

bad service

mediocre food

crowded as sh*t which makes point 1 a lot worse