I visited New Orleans for two separate trips in June of 2008 and stayed at two different hotels in the French Quarter. I've visited this city numerous times pre- and post-Katrina, including this hotel. I stayed in Room 238 for my second trip this month, which is located across the street from the main hotel in the Hermann House buildings/courtyard. I have no complaints whatsoever about this room or my stay at the hotel, which is saying a lot for me. This room is equipped with a fantastic king-size Tempurpedic bed, exposed brick walls, marble countertops, a refrigerator (a big perk in this city with its fabulous restaurants), and a double-headed shower/tub with a jacuzzi. The room smelled fine and was extremely clean. There was great, consistent water pressure and plenty of hot water, both important. There is a daily afternoon tea and full fitness center in the main building area, and we received complimentary welcoming cocktails for the on-site bar (May Bailey's), and all of these were enjoyable. We did not partake of the included continental breakfasts at the hotel, as we were out at some of my preferred morning eateries instead. The staff allowed us an early check-in upon our arrival, which isn't typical of my experiences in New Orleans. I was advised of some construction/renovation going on, but didn't see or hear anything to that effect in the main areas or near our room. Our departure was marred a bit by the airport shuttle leaving without us (!!) but the hotel did its best to rectify the situation. My advice is to skip the now-iffy shuttle and take a taxi, which showed up in less than two minutes and cost the same based on two people ($28 total plus tip). The Dauphine Orleans' location is not as central as some of my other preferred French Quarter hotels, but it is still within a few blocks of everything...it just depends on what the "everything" is that you want. It's a block away from Bourbon Street, and a few blocks from Jackson Square. Overall, my experience at the Dauphine Orleans this time around was very positive, and I would stay here again.

Based on previous reviews, we were nervous about staying here, but some were really good and we found that most hotels had about the same overall rating - some good some bad, yada yada. Also, we figured that most hotels in the french quarter had been affected by Katrina and would be dingy and water damaged. This was not at all the case. We learned that Katrina flooding landlocked the french quarter but it didn't flood, so the buildings were not damaged there. We found the staff to be welcoming (not effusive, but polite, professional and very helpful). The small courtyard was lovely (weather was unseasonably cold for us to use the pool. And we were lucky and bold enough to ask for a newly rennovated room They gladly switched us from the second floor to 417 in the main building. It was lovely - everything brand new, bedding, furniture, flat screen tv. Soft towels, a robe and comfy beds. We never used the coffee maker (a pod style 2 cuper) because the coffee at breakfast (available 6:30 to 11) was delish & strong. Breakfast was simple so we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They also had hard boiled eggs, croissants, juice and sometimes belgian waffles. Free wireless connection was powerful & easy to use. Guest computer in the lobby is connected to the office printer and the staff gladly retrieved maps & tickets we needed to print. We used the in room safe for our valubles, even our laptops. One Macbook and a 15" dell lattitude which I was able to gently cram in after removing the battery. Honestly, I did not get the feeling we needed to use the safe, but well, just to be safe, we did. We highly recommend it and will return. Also a tip: We rented bikes instead of a car and were very happy about that decision. The traffic in the French Quarter (esp in the evening) is miserable. Getting bikes into the elevator and the room was a tight squeeze but better and far cheaper than dealing with parking. Lots of cyclists in New Orleans - very few seem to follow rules of the road. We highly recommend Michael's Bicycles on Frenchman. It's walking distance from the hotel, bikes were worn but in great shape, staff was informative & friendly. Note they are closed on Weds.

The hotel and staff were very nice. Nevertheless the last thing you want to hear at 5:00am is the staff taking out the garbage it sounded 20 min. like a train wreck every morning. Don't stay on the side with the parking garge view the noise is constent. I party with the best and go to bed at 3:00 3:30 or at least I tried. This does not even count the construction that starts at 8:00am every morning.