I was referred to the Empress by a close friend, and business associate. He recommended that I stay at the Empress since I did not want to pay alot for a hotel, and yet still be close to the FRENCH QUARTER. The Empress Hotel was VERY reasonably priced and the location to the French Quarter could not be beat ! I am not a person to spend alot of time in my hotel room. I much prefer to take tours, ride the streetcar, and walk around the city during the day. I am not a rich woman, so I would rather go to New Orleans and spend money on shopping, and dining in the finest restaurants....NOT on High Priced Hotel Accommodations. The Empress provided clean rooms, with a very courteous front desk staff. They were helpful in suggesting restaurants and various tourist attractions. When I travel to Europe, I am accustomed to staying at smaller / lower priced motels that are centrally located. The Empress Hotel is for the budget minded traveler, who prefers to spend their money things other than a hotel room.

Reading the reviews for this place brought back nightmares from a few years back. When Katrina hit town I had hoped she had wiped this place off the map! I went to NOLA for a weekend several years back, and not being familiar with the city, unwisely booked a room here. Everything appeared normal from the street, but after walking in I started feeling uneasy. The uneasiness was compounded after opening the door to my room! I was on the ground floor right next to the hotel laundry room. Have you ever tried to sleep while clothes dryers and washing machines ran late at night? When asked about the noise and possibly changing rooms the owner became rather indignant! Saying she owned a small place and could not afford to fix the place up like she wanted. She would be glad to change my room for an additional room charge! I would rather sleep on a crypt in the St. Louis Cemetery than stay here again!!!

I stayed in the Empress for the New Year and I have to say it is not a 5star hotel but for the price I was very happy the staff was very helpful and the location was great only 5 a five minute walk to Bourbon Street. I would highly recomend this hotel for the budget minded traveler. 5 Stars in my book!!!!!!

incredible how they can advertise this as a European style hotel. I have been to Europe, their hotels are not like this, and Ive stayed in the red light district! Thankfully, our brother in law managed to find us three rooms at another Hotel. We left straight away, however the hotel insisted on us paying for the night. I am quite sure after reading reviews online since returning home that this is how the hotel makes its money. It seems that not many people stay at this hotel after seeing the state of the rooms.