I stayed at the Hampton Inn while attending a conference in New Orleans in October. The hotel is a renovated warehouse with sky-high ceilings, beautiful antique furniture and lush tropical plants. The interior designers and architects have pulled off a tricky job: they have managed to create an impressive, dignified lobby that is also warm and inviting. My room was extremely comfortable and clean, with all the usual luxurious amenities (a firm bed, lots of fluffy pillows, fragrant toiletries, thick towels, etc.).
My stay at the Hampton Inn was especially pleasant for two reasons. First, buffet breakfast and dinner were provided with the room rate. The night I had dinner at the hotel, the buffet menu included creole shrimp, creamy potato-leek soup, salad and the most delicious brownies I have ever had. Breakfast was equally good: a spread of cereals, pastries, fruit and hot food.
Second, the staff at the Hampton Inn are to be commended for their warmth and hospitality. My luggage did not arrive with me but the front desk, once alerted of this, provided me with additional toiletries and brought my bag up to my room as soon it arrived at midnight. Christopher at the front desk was efficient as well as informative and had a fount of stories about his roots in Lousiana (ask him about his pet snake!).
The location of the hotel is ideal for convention-goers, though the area around the convention center was almost eerily quiet (people still haven't returned to New Orleans, unfortunately). There were few shops and restaurants open.
The French Quarter is about a six or seven-minute cab ride away. In any other city, that would be a walkable distance but the weather in New Orleans, even in October, was unbearably hot and humid (and I say this as someone who grew up in a tropical country). Also, I was constantly advised by the natives to take cabs rather than walk. I am not sure if this is because I was there as a single female, or if the city is still relatively unsafe, or some combination of the two. Cabs are relatively cheap, but not always easy to come by -- once again, because of the lack of tourists. It might be an idea to have the phone number of a cab company handy.
All in all, I was touched by the kindness and friendliness of the people in New Orleans and would love to stay at the Hampton Inn again.














