Place d'Armes Hotel in New Orleans

Hotel Combines French Quarter Charm and Excellent Location

Sep 14, 2009

Visitors looking for a moderately-priced hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter can find a hidden gem at the Place d'Armes.

“Place d’Armes” was the original name of Jackson Square, before the name was changed to honor General Andrew Jackson after the battle of New Orleans in 1814. Today, the Place d’Armes Hotel stands just yards from its namesake, welcoming visitors into the heart of the historic French Quarter.

New Orleans offers a wide variety of hotel accommodations, from newly refurbished luxury suites to bare-bones chain motels, in locations to accommodate both business travelers and tourists alike. The Place d’Armes is unique, however, in that it is the only hotel at Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Located less than two blocks from the legendary revelry of Bourbon Street, it is convenient to all of the French Quarter tourist attractions while at the same time offering a respite for travelers who prefer a bit of peace and quiet upon returning to their rooms.

In addition to nearby Bourbon Street, the Place d’Armes is a mere half a block away from the antique shops of Royal Street. A block in the opposite direction is the world famous Café du Monde, which provides chicory café au lait and beignets, 24 hours a day. The hotel is convenient to public transportation via streetcar, and is less than a mile’s walk from Riverwalk, Harrah’s Casino, and the Aquarium of the Americas.

The Place d’Armes is the very embodiment of French Quarter architecture and atmosphere, with its brick exteriors and balconies with cast-iron railings. Not just a single building, the Place d’Armes is actually comprised of nine different buildings dating back to the 18th century. After checking in at the lobby off St. Ann Street, guests proceed to their rooms either upstairs or through a quiet flagstone courtyard filled with lush greenery, fountains, and a swimming pool.

The rooms themselves are clean, warm and inviting. Like the buildings and courtyard, they evoke the very essence of the French Quarter with exposed brick, antique-style furnishings, and in some cases fireplaces (albeit non-working ones). All rooms are non-smoking, but smoking is allowed on balconies and in the courtyard.

The 84 guest Rooms come in four types: interior, deluxe, courtyard, and junior suites, with either two double beds or a single queen- or king-sized bed. It is important to know when booking that the “interior” class of room is just that — a room on the inside of the building, with no windows, as opposed to “deluxe”, exterior rooms with windows (although the windows can be small on the upper floors). “Courtyard” rooms, as the name would suggest, have doors that open directly into the courtyard/pool area. “Junior suites” include an extra sitting area with a sleeper couch. It is vital to know the difference when booking, as occupancy levels may not allow for a change after arrival.

All rooms include cable television, complimentary newspaper, in-room coffeemaker, and voicemail. Concierge service and bell service are available 24 hours a day. The hotel has no restaurant, but does provide a continental breakfast of coffee and croissants each morning.

Other services provided include valet laundry, complimentary safe-deposit boxes, and photocopying and fax services. Rooms and public areas have wireless internet service at no charge. The internet coverage can be a bit spotty at times, but a slight shift in location, even within a guest room, seems to eliminate the problem.

Visitors to New Orleans will find that parking is always at a premium, and that parking illegally can result in cars being towed. The Place d’Armes has its own attached parking garage with valet service. Valet parking costs $25 per day, with no extra charge for leaving and returning (an appropriate tip for the valet is $1 each time he or she retrieves your car). While this price may seem excessive to travelers, it is not out of line for parking in general in the city. In fact, compared to the $8 per hour charge for non-guests of the hotel, it begins to seem like a bit of a bargain.

Reservations may be made by calling the hotel directly, online at the hotel’s website, or through any major online travel website. Rates are considered moderate for New Orleans, and generally run anywhere from approximately $60 - $170 per night, depending on room size and day of the week, although rates will be considerably higher during Mardi Gras. A “value rate” is available for guests who are willing to pre-pay, although this type of reservation is non-refundable.

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