We stayed at this hotel for 4 nights while in New Orleans for a friend's wedding. We booked at the last minute. We were a little concerned about the poor reviews it had on this site. However, those must have been written before they had renovated! Everything in the rooms is new and nice, carpet, furniture, etc. We were on the 3rd floor (highest floor). The hotel is very convenient driving distance to everything we wanted to see. 3-5 minute drive to the French Quarter, 5 minute drive to Magazine Street shops. Also, St. Charles Street (where this hotel is located) is the street that the Street Cars run up and down. So it's also very easy to walk out front and go to the Street Car stop to board. There is a nice local restaurant called The Trolley Stop next door to the hotel. We ate there each morning for about $6.50 each. The continental breakfast provided by the hotel is bagels, muffins, juice, coffee and tea. We did not use the valet parking (if you do its $18 / night). We just found parking places on the street out front. Never was a problem to find parking except Saturday night when the restaurant on the first floor of the hotel was pretty busy. Walgreens is one block away. The beds are new and very comfortable. We would definitely stay at this hotel again!

From the time i stepped into this wonderful hotel, i knew i was going to be treated like a mardi gras queen! We stayed hereon a whim, partly because we knew it was on the parade route! We used to stay next door before the storm, but once this reopened we decided to check it out. I loved it. EVERYTHING was brand new! I loved to look of the rooms, the staff was awesome, the food was superb. The front desk staff were amazing...everything i needed was attended to immediatly, they got me king cake, they got me parade info, they suggested restaraunts, foudn church services, i mean they were on the ball! The rooms themselves were awesome, very contemporary and nice! The only thing i didnt like was that there were no plasma tvs in the room( the desk agent said they would be there within the year!) My daughter is at tulane, so i travel to new orleans alot, and i have to say this is the BYFAR the NICEST hotel near tulane. I plan to be back often!

The Clarion Grand Boutique Hotel is not to be missed. We happened to stumble uppon this property and were flabergasted by it! It reopened on 12/20/07 and was completely redone! The beds are so comfortable and the rooms' decor was very tasteful. It had everything from the top of the line shower heads, to ipod docks to feather pillows and comforters! I highly suggest checking this place out...dont look at old reviews or pictures post KATRINA, they will not do this place justice! The streetcar runs and stops in front of this hotel so sightseeing is a breeze! The tourism office is across the street too, so it is so easy to find things to do!
Call them up and check it out for yourself you wont be dissapointed for the price!
-Geof
Ps: the cheescake bistro is opening below it and we will sureluy be back to check it out, if it is anything like the hotel it is sure to be 4 stars!

My stay at the Clarion was wonderful. The room was very large, and very comfortable. The location was excellent, about a mile or so from the heart of The French Quarter. Street Cars run right across the street. To the west you have Uptown and the Garden District. The staff was very courteous and the breakfast was very good. The rooms were neatly decorated. Everything was in good order in the room. This is the type of hotel that you'll remember for it's difference! There is a tempting restaurant in the hotel with delicious cheese cake. Of course the fun of New Orleans is the French Quarter, and this hotel is a nice way to sit back and enjoy the garden district.