I have stayed at a many hotels in New Orleans, and this one earns high marks.

My preference leans to the historical old hotels. The Provincial captures the ambiance of Old New Orleans without breaking the bank.

My room was a "standard," and to my pleasant surprise, comfortably roomy, well kept, and nicely furnished. The staff was excellent. Parking was a very reasonable $18 per night.

The courtyard is a beautiful place to enjoy the complimentary coffee and pastry.

Located near the French Market, the river, the Marigny, and Jackson Square, this setting is on the quiet side of the Quarter.

Excellent restaurants, Stella and Irene's, are a short walk from your room. You'll save enough on the room to pay for a fine evening at either one.

To be honest, the Provincial has gotten a bit worn since I last stayed here three years ago but they've also been hosting a lot of government workers since Katrina and these folks still do their very best for you. The staff is great - I enjoy supporting them. If you want sparkling new, go to the Omni or Ritz. At Provincial, weather and time may have worn things but the rooms are spacious, a good value and being at the intersection of Chartres and Ursulines, an easy walk from everything in the Quarter. I just got a double bed in a very large room overlooking the pool for $89, last minute on Memorial Day weekend, which I think is a very good deal. The whole place is just classic old New Orleans. The courtyard with fountain is extremely picturesque and charming. (I can't believe people complaining about the the lobby coffee service - Community Coffee is literally around the corner, one block away on Royal; go get a cup and pastry for $5 and bring it back to the courtyard!) A lot of non-guests come here for the restaurant Stella which you should try if you have the money. Otherwise, my best recommendation is Red Fish Grill, a Brennan's property at the other end of Bourbon, or Acme. I'm glad I came back to New Orleans to eat, drink and spend money at local businesses! It's still one of the greatest cities in the world.

I originally booked through Expedia.com, but in checking the hotel website a few days before we left, I noted that an upgraded room with almost $200 less than Expedia. So I rebooked. The hotel is in a great area. The rooms were clean; the beds were comfortable. The only real negative was a less than generous continental breakfeast of coffee and danish so we walked over to the Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee which was only a block or two away. We also heard through a tour guide that the hotel has a haunted building even though none of the brochures noted this.

Having lived and worked in the surrounding New Orleans area for years pre-Katrina, I had the pleasure to stay in many of the hotels. Having relocated to NY, I was recently back in NO, visiting family and friends I decided to stay at the Hotel Provincial. The rate I got online via the website was an excellent deal and I booked two rooms as I was traveling with family from out side the US. (their first trip to NO)
This was my first time in building 5. Second floor (521/2?) We had rooms that opened out onto the balcony so we were able to sit out there and see the riverboats, hear the jazz from the restaurant in the French Market and observe the goings on up and down Decatur. I have stayed in this hotel before but in other wings, and like all the rooms these were nice clean and well appointed. There is no mini-bar, or room service, or those other things you get if you were to stay at the national chain like Marriott, Hilton or Sheraton. I've stayed at these hotels as well as the Radisson on Bourbon St., Omni, Doubletree & the Intercontinel. As with any hotel if there is a problem bring it to their attention but do so nicely. In most cases they will do what they can to fix the situation. No hotel is 100% perfect all the time.
This is not a hotel for kids, as the pools (they have two) are small. I have found that many of the guests that stay here are return customers who drive in for weekend visits, football games or girls night out. The staff is friendly and accomodating. Our request for extra pillow, towels handled promptly within reason. This hotel is located in the quieter part of the quarter. At night they lock the gates for guest security and you need to show your key to guard to get in.
There are good restaurants close by, as well as one in the hotel, and there is a CC coffee shop a short walk away. The hotel does provide parking for hotel guests. No need for a car in NO, as the Airport shuttle is very handy.