Large room & bathroom, cozy atmosphere and comfy bed. Offers coffee and little breakfast snack in morning. Offers pool for guests and easy parking. Right near all of French District and numerous bars and restaurants.

Be cautious traveling, as local bar tenders told us to "be careful out there" due to high rise in crime since Hurrican Katrina. This is 2 years after Katrina.

Hello Everyone;

Just back from the Melrose we had a wonderful stay. The staff were pleased to see us and check in was a breeze.

We stayed in the Donecio suite, very nice huge room. Private balcony which was perfect for catching the late afternoon rays. The pool was clean but not heated, maybe not this time of year as it was getting warmer.

Breakfast- I have to admitt is not what it use to be. But I belive the price point reflects this cut back.

Wine and Cheese still served at 7pm- lovely soft brie and good wine.

I LOVE this area of the French Quarter- I didn't feel unsafe at all. We cruised around the frenchman area after dinner and never felt unsafe. Likewise with the Port O Call. The sheriff was out every nite we were there, I'm not sure this was due to a past problem.

Espande is a wonderful street in the city, the boulavard and houses a joy to walk by on a wrm evening.

I have to say, I have stayed at the Melrose before and it's still pretty much the same. love how the place feels like ahome rather than a big impersonal hotel. For us thats great.

Hope this helps everyone.

Regarding the Bait and Switch: Maybe ask them to fax or e-mail you a confirmation of your resevation with your room name on it. Make it clear that you want to stay actually in the Mansion. This might help.

The Melrose Mansion is on the far edge of the French Quarter, on Esplanade. Parking is on the street, which is unsecure and hard to find. The neighborhood is a bit scary, with police sirens cruising by all night. There was no one to help carry bags up long Victorian staircase. The bathroom sink was coming away from the wall and teetered perilously. The finials on the four-poster bed came off in your hand. The floors were dusty and filthy. The were no extra pillows and no blanket - just a bedspread. Bare hardwood floors are lovely, but there was no area rug by the bed to warm your feet from the cold floor. The flashing light on the phone would not turn off. Neither of the small bed-table reading lamps worked - only the high-wattage overhead light, which you had to get out of bed to turn off. The staff was complacent, bored, and unconcerned. This is a beautiful Victorian mansion that could be a delightful B&B, but not under the present callous and careless management. The $150.00 per night charge was grossly overpricecd for the experience.

My fiance and I often go to New Orleans, and we have stayed at the Melrose Inn 3 times. We would stay again if the crime situation had not accelerated so much recently in the Marigny area, where the hotel is located.
A woman was held up coming out of Port of Call, and then run over by a car. A bar (Mimi's) was held up by 2 armed robbers and patrons were relieved of their valuables at gunpoint. A woman was shot to death in her home and her husband was shot 3 times.
We love New Orleans, and we will go back, but until the situation is stabilized in the Marigny, it is not worth it.
Also, with regards to this hotel... don't ever pay rack rate, or the rates quoted on the internet. It is not worth it. The deeply discounted rates in the summer are really what it's worth. I think this place used to be very nice, but you can tell by the lack of care with things that that was some time ago. Also, on their website, you can see that they received some awards, but this was many years ago.
If you are in New Orleans I would recommend booking something in the middle of the French Quarter, and even then being very careful about where you walk at night.
As I said, we both love New Orleans dearly, and hope this is a passing phase.