HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS NEW ORLEANS DOWNTOWN BY IHG, New Orleans

The hotel sits in a quiet pocket of the Central Business District, yet the French Quarter is a ten-minute walk and Bourbon Street is about ten minutes away. Caesars Superdome is 1 km (a 15-minute walk) and the Morial Convention Center is 1 km away. The St. Charles streetcar line, two blocks from the hotel, provides inexpensive access to the Garden District and the city centre. The National WWII Museum is 2 km away, and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is within a 20-minute walk. Many restaurants are within a two-block radius, and the area feels safe even at night.

Rooms were renovated in 2015 and are compact but practical. Some layouts place the sink outside the bathroom next to the bed, a configuration that may not suit all travellers. Work desks, ironing boards and 32-inch flat-screen cable TVs are standard. Bed firmness varies; some visitors find the mattresses hard. Corridor noise and noise from the street can be noticeable, especially on lower floors. Rooms on higher floors are quieter. Connecting rooms are available on request. Wheelchair-accessible rooms feature grab bars, adequate turning space and adapted door locks. Daily housekeeping is provided.

Breakfast is a hot buffet with scrambled eggs, breakfast meat, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, a self-service pancake machine, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, coffee, tea and juice. It is included in the rate and served in the lobby-level breakfast area. Seating can fill up quickly during peak hours. The buffet is restocked less consistently near closing time (9:30 a.m.), so arriving earlier ensures the best selection. There is no on-site restaurant or bar for other meals, but the front desk can arrange delivery from nearby eateries, and several restaurants are within a few minutes' walk.

The outdoor pool is typically open from April through September, weather permitting. Pool towels and sun loungers are provided. The fitness centre is open 24 hours and includes two treadmills, an elliptical machine, a stationary bicycle, a stair stepper and a set of free weights with a bench. The space is compact but sufficient for a basic workout.

Wi-Fi is free for all devices. Parking is on-site self-parking with in/out privileges; no reservation is needed, but spaces cannot be guaranteed. A self-service laundry is available 24/7. The business centre offers printing, fax and office supplies. A boardroom seats up to 20 people and includes a 60-inch TV for presentations. Luggage storage is available at the front desk. Daily housekeeping is provided. Accessible features include ADA-compliant lifts, ramps, wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and braille signage. There is no restaurant, bar or airport shuttle. Languages spoken: English and Spanish.