New Orleans wants you to know it's open for business. As the recovery efforts continue, the Greater New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel. 800/672-6124; www.neworleanscvb.com) released a state of the city report. "We believe we are still America's most authentic city and still a great travel destination for convention and leisure visitors," says CVB president and CEO Stephen Perry. The report estimates pre-Katrina the population of the Greater Metropolitan New Orleans area at 1.3 million and post-Katrina, 1.1 million. Getting to New Orleans should not be too difficult -- Amtrak and airlines are serving the city, and more than fifty percent of taxicabs and 29 bus lines are back on the streets. In the metro area, 103 of 140 metro area hotels are operational; 90 are located downtown. As for major renovations, The Ritz-Carlton is slated to reopen in December and the Hyatt is scheduled for a fall 2007 reopening. Most major shopping areas -- Riverwalk, Jax Brewery and Shops at Canal Place -- are open, along with all major cultural institutions. The bureau's site is also a good place to start, with the expected complement of information on attractions, activities, events, dining and lodging.
If you live near a city that is serviced by Air Tran (tel. 800/AIR-TRAN; www.airtran.com), you're in luck. The airline is offering a systemwide fare sale for travel through February 1, 2007, if you book by September 19. With prices $79-$139 one-way for flights between New Orleans and cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Myrtle Beach, New York and more, fares are good for travel Tuesday, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The fares require a ten-day advance purchase; blackout dates apply around Thanksgiving.
American Airlines (tel. 800/222-2377; www.aa.com) has a fall fare sale good for travel through February 1, 2007, when purchased through its website. Sample fares include New Orleans-Denver ($238), Chicago-Denver ($198), Miami-New Orleans ($174) New York-LaGuardia ($198), good for round-trip travel. You can earn bonus miles and a ten-day advance purchase is required; there are also blackout dates around Thanksgiving and in between Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Expedia (tel. 800/EXPEDIA; www.expedia.com) is offering stellar rates at a number of New Orleans hotels, from the historic Hotel Monteleone from $159 per night and the International House, a beaux-arts hotel, from $139, among others. All hotels are available from these rates through November 14, based on availability.
Loews New Orleans (tel. 504/595-3300; www.loewsneworleanshotel.com) -- not to be confused with the Lowe's Home Improvement -- is offering a "family bayou blast" with packages starting at $299, available through December 31. With a family concierge to help plan activities, children, parents and pets are welcome to this hotel. Families will receive grand luxury double queen accommodations, a kids amenity package upon check-in, along with lists of family-friendly restaurants and activities, and choice of admission to two attractions including the Bayou Swamp Tour, Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of Americas, New Orleans Museum of Art, and more. This AAA four-diamond hotel was renovated and reopened in October 2005.
Orbitz (tel. 888/656-4546; www.orbitz.com) has a special offer for a five-star hotel, Le Pavillion, in New Orleans from $103, based on September 13 check-in.Known as the "belle of new Orleans"the hotel is blocks from the French quarter and is a member of t he Historic Hotels of America. If you book before September 21 there's an offer to stay two nights and save 20 percent, but it is only good for travel through September 21.However, another special offer associated with this property is for a free room upgrade (from standard to deluxe), valid if you book before December 31, 2006 and travel September 26 through December 31.
For budget-priced lodging downtown, the city's first bed and breakfast, the St. Charles Guest House (tel. 504/523-6556; www.stcharlesguesthouse.com) is extending its summer rates into the fall and winter. Rooms with private baths start as low as $55 for one double bed, $65-$85 for queen, queen with daybed or two doubles. The owners Joanne and Dennis Hilton have been hosting Katrina volunteers at their Garden District property and can accommodate groups.
Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) has several deals for New Orleans, long weekend travel. A three-day, two-night special at Maison Dupuy Hotel in the French Quarter is priced from $317 for two nights and round-trip flights from Dallas; other departure cities will have different prices. Or if you want to stay in the Central Business district, the Sheraton New Orleans is available for three days with round-trip airfare from $425, also priced from Dallas.
The W Hotel New Orleans (tel. 877/822-0000; www.whotels.com/frenchquarter), located in the French Quarter, offers a few special packages. "Perfect Perks", good for any day of the week through December 30, features rates starting at $175 and entitles you to café au lait and beignets for two at the legendary Café du Monde. Be sure to mention WPERKS1-4 when you book. And to take advantage of the revered, essential local cuisine, check out the "What's Cookin', Good Lookin'" deal, which includes a six-course tasting menu at the restaurant Zoe, wine pairings for each course, a menu autographed by its chef Roberto Bustillo, with rooms priced from $199. Stay any day of the week through November 1.
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