How to Find a Hotel Room for New Orleans Jazz Fest

A big hurricane may have hit--but that’s not gonna keep the masses from hitting New Orleans for Jazz Fest. And those masses are gonna need a place to stay. The following are some tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet Access
• Credit Card
• Telephone
• New Orleans to English Dictionary (unless you're from Brooklyn)

1. Book your reservation as far in advance as possible. Hotel rooms get snatched up pretty quickly, especially in and around the French Quarter. Websites such as hotels.com, expedia.com and travelocity.com make it easier to find a hotel, as well as book a room.
2. Find a hotel or motel in a surrounding area. If you don’t need to be right in the center of the action and you have transportation, the quieter surrounding suburbs such as Metairie and Kenner might be the way to go. Metairie may not have the French Quarter or streetcars, but there are malls and Quiznos. Actually, there are also some classic, quaint neighborhoods. Now I’ve never been to Kenner--but I’ve been to Oklahoma--and I have a sneaking suspicion the former bears a closer resemblance to Tulsa than the Champs Elysees. However, in the burbs you will find more economical hotels/motels and not have to book a reservation as far in advance.
3. Stay in Mississippi. Towns like Gulfport and Biloxi are on the Gulf, just a little over an hour away. If you want to turn Jazz Fest into a music/gambling extravaganza, the Biloxi casinos are back to business as usual. There are nice hotels, motels and vacation rentals by the beach.
4. Consider a Bed and Breakfast if you decide you want to scratch the whole hotel/motel idea. There are a variety in and around New Orleans and points beyond. If you decide to go the B&B route, I would strongly recommend researching it as much as possible by way of the Internet and phone calls. You will be in essence staying at a stranger’s house. It could get awkward sending your food back…after all; you’re in someone’s dining room.

Tips & Warnings

• A credit card will hold your reservation. If you find something better, you can always cancel. Normally, with hotels and motels you have up until the arrival date to cancel without your credit card being charged, but with a big event like Jazz Fest in town, you should confirm what the cancellation deadline is.
• Jazz Fest is pretty much a daytime event and many of the revelers pile into the French Quarter at night, so keep that in mind when you book your room.
• Check on hotel security and the safety of the neighborhood before booking a reservation.