This was our first visit to New Orleans. We both wanted to stay in the French Quarter and so we looked at a bunch of hotels online and decided on the Royal Sonesta. It's a big hotel. We knew that one side of it was on Bourbon and the other was on Bienville. We chose the Bienville side, thinking we'd be somewhat spared all the ruckus and commotion of Bourbon, but we were wrong. We were not spared. We heard everything - tap dancing street performers, drunks, loud music, which in the end wasn't really a big deal - we were in New Orleans after all.

And so if you like to sleep, don't stay here (maybe don't go to New Orleans at all because this city does not sleep, ever).

The hotel was fine. Lobby was grand and clean. Staff was friendly. Room was clean but it was a little run down. Location was close to everything. Bed was comfy. Would we stay here again? Maybe, but probably not.

Arrived on the 20th December for 3 nights and had a room over looking Bourbon Street. Our room had been refurbished and was excellent. Upon arrival at the hotel, the staff were extremely helpful. The hotel was decked out with all the christmas decorations you can think of and lots of beautiful christmas trees everywhere.

We were there when the Raging Cajuns overtook the hotel and although very noisy at tea time with their parties in each others room going on, at night time you could hear a pin drop.

Coffee shop was excellent and so was the Jazz Club. Had a couple of drinks there each night before the end of the night. Great atmosphere.

We were given a free bottle of wine by way of an apology as room service knocked on our door saying we had ordered a bottle which we hadn't and they realised they had got the wrong room. 20 minutes later there was another knock at the door and room service bought us an excellent bottle of Chardonney by way of an apology of disturbing us. Great way to start our trip.

Overall a great location and great atmosphere.

This hotel was found on a competing website, as an unadvertised special. It was a great find, as we had never been in NOLA, and picking a hotel was like throwing a dart at a board 50 yards away and hoping for the best. First off, I had no idea the French Quarter was a series of one ways, and was slowly blocked off as the day kicked by. The hotel entrance is on Conti, not Bourbon. The staff was very friendly. As we found our room, I was somewhat disappointed in the small size. The hotel is old, and shows. Tastefully decorated, it met our needs, so I won't say much else. There were bottles of Evian, 32oz. In the room, "should you feel the need", your credit card would be charged $6.50. I realize that things must be brought to the street, but gigging you for everything and then adding an 18% service charge is almost criminal. Room service prices for eggs were well over $15. We stayed on the 5th floor, and our window was really small, but not small enough not to be surprised by a man standing directly outside the window, working on a rooftop. The hotel charged us $40 a day to valet your car, plus tax, then we could not get our car because the valet was on a cell phone, ignoring calls on the Bell Captain phone. The location was great, on Bourbon street, seedily within 2 blocks of four strip clubs and a sex acts place with a trashy looking woman almost dragging you inside. Overall, we had a great time, the hotel is clean and quiet, yet the hallways were really dark upstairs, unlike the beautiful lobby with the Grand Piano and numerous chandeliers, huge live flower displays, several grand ballrooms and convenient high end restaurants. I was left wondering I'd we had booked, how much more expensive it would have been, but how much better our room might have been. We had no courtyard or Bourbon balcony, I think we has just a basic room. No upgrades were offered on the special. Location was a huge plus, but we just used the room as a home base of operations.

My travel companion's first visit to New Orleans was a wonderful experience for her due largely to the fine hotel accomodations at the Royal Sonesta. Excellent room (beds were outstanding), dining in both restaurants was excellent for both food selection/quality and service. The location was outstanding for us since we wanted to experience the French Quarter and use the public transportation to see the Garden District and more of the City.