This was a decent place for a business stay. Friendly staff, excellent location, clean and with good air conditioning to withstand NOLA's Summer heat. It has a few shortcomings: You gotta' pay for your own parking (almost 30 bucks Valet, though I recommend paying 15 US$ at the parking lot around the corner), and for internet (U$ 9.95, and it is not very fast). The decoration is about average, though the fact that it is a historic property makes it a bit interesting. No bells and whistles: Just one restaurant, no bar and no pool. I was really happy with what I got for the price (500 US$ in Priceline including flight, 3 nights at the Whitney and a small car), so taking that into consideration I give it an 'above average' rating. But don't pay the full rate by all means...in that case, try to find another hotel closer to the French Quarter (if you are on vacation) or at one of the flashier boutique hotels.

My husband and I flew to New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2008. This was our 4th vacation trip to New Orleans, our favorite vacation spot, but only our first Mardi Gras. Because my arthritis has gotten progressive worse and I have a hard time walking, we decided to stay closer to the parade route on St Charles instead of in our usual B&B in the French Quarter. The Whiney is one short block away from St Charles and the perfect location. When we checked in, they gave us plastic arm bands so we could have easy access to the hotel. The staff checked for the armbands at the door and people without them did not get in to use the facilities. Our room was on the 7th floor and it was very elegant. I asked for non-smoking and the room was great (did not smell like smoke at all). The staff cleaned up the room everyday and left chocolates on the pillows. The bathroom was huge and had all luxurious extras. We ate breakfast everyday in the restaurant in the lobby. The food was great, the service was wonderful, and the restaurant was in what used to be the bank’s lobby with lots of marble columns and brass teller windows and the funniest mural of movie stars from the 40s standing in line at the bank. Since I couldn’t walk very well, the doorman always flagged me down a cab which was hard to do during Mardi Gras with all the streets blocked off for the parades all day. All of the staff at this hotel was wonderful during our stay, very friendly and accommodating. During checkout, the clerk noticed a mistake on our bill (charge for parking and we had no car) and she corrected it immediately before mentioning it to us, we might not have even noticed. The only downside was that the Whitney is two blocks away from the main Police Station. Normally, this would not be a bad thing, but during Mardi Gras the police sirens were screaming all night long. Across from this hotel is a 10 story parking garage so the noise level from the street from those police car sirens echoed between the parking garage and the hotel so we would just fall asleep and there goes a police car with its sirens and lights again, echoing up to my room and waking me up again. We stayed an extra day after all the madness, Ash Wednesday, and the noise level was down to normal and we slept and relaxed and had a wonderful time.We had the time of our lives celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I find the people of Louisiana very friendly, helpful and caring, not only those working in the hotels, stores and restaurants, but the people along the parade route that shared their ladders and chairs with me so I could enjoy my first Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps roulette !!

The Suite was a nice size. The robes were worn and one actually had a large hole in it. The front desk clerk said it was ok to wear and would attempt to get it replaced should another clean one become available. The Whitney is far away from anywhere to eat unless you are willing to walk and walk, especially through what appears to be an unsafe area. The internet service is terrible. I have stayed previously at The Whitney and unfortunately returned. Will not make the same mistake. The front desk staff leaves a lot to be desired. You can find a better hotel for less money, especially since it is so far from Bourbon Street.

I reserved my "queen" room for 2-weeknights through Priceline and when my husband & I checked in we were given a well worn room with 2-double beds and no windows. We asked for something else and they said "sorry all sold out". It was quiet because it didn't overlook the street but, beware if you are claustraphobic because many of the rooms in the back are directly up against another building. This was a slow week in New Orleans, no Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest either.

I have been staying in the Whitney for 5 nights because I was attending a conference in New Orleans and was not very impressed. For the rate paid ($179/night) I'm sure I could have stayed in far nicer places. The room was comfortable enough, although the decor is a bit too oldfashioned for my taste (they call this "European style") and the bed covers were really quite old and should be replaced. My biggest problem with this hotel were the services: virtually non-existing. There is a small restaurant that does not serve breakfast on Sundays (which is not great if you have just woken up with a jetlag..) and only opens for breakfast en lunch on other days. Breakfast was only a la carte (no buffet), limited choice and very average quality. Furthermore: no roomservice, no porter, no wireless internet, no pool, the computer and printer in the lobby were out of order during my whole stay, and very often there wasn't even anybody at the front desk. All in all, I wouldn't stay here again and would not recommend it to anyone, because with the number of hotels in NOLA I'm sure that one could fine a much better deal.