I have to say, I didn't exactly read the reviews beforehand, but what can I say...it was a last minute thing. Upon my arrival, my jaw almost fell to the floor. This is how stunned I was at the room! And I don't mean that in a good way. But you know what? I knew that I didn't plan on being in the room very long at all, and I would be out totally boozing it up and acting a fool, because that's what I do when I'm in New Orleans. I'm not gonna lie about that!
So back to the Empress Hotel. It wasn't the nicest looking, and even according to a friend of mine that lives there, it wasn't in the best of neighborhoods. After returning home, I FINALLY decided to check out the reviews on tripadvisor.com. Those people had no mercy for this place! And for somewhat good reason. But what were they expecting, seriously? The room was very inexpensive. And one reviewer really said what was on my mind:
"Don't worry about the neighborhood it looks worse than it is.Unlike the hotel where it looks better than it is."
Ok, so maybe some reviewers claimed it was in "the ghetto," and even my local friend claimed it was not the best of neighborhoods, but I can say this much; We were totally ok walking from the hotel to the French Quarter and even downtown...even late at night. And I'm talking about 3 and even 4am. The neighborhood to me didn't seem as bad as others on tripadvisor make it out to be. Even in passing on the sidewalk, we were greeted in that neighborhood with a friendly "hello" and a smile.
And Empress is only like 2 blocks from the French Quarter. It was an easy stroll! So now going back again to the hotel, the pictures looked ok, and yeah, the room wasn't the nicest. It kind of reminded us of the crazy, scary motel in Vacancy, starring Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. The bathroom was kind of creepy, and I can honestly say I've stayed at Motel 6's that were nicer.
The staff however, were peaches and cream! They were so nice. Even after I walked in and totally went off on the lady at the front desk one night in particular. I had been drinking and was very unpleasant to her. But I apologized the next day, and she was sweet as pie after that. Then again, it's really hard to resist my charm. ;)
So to sum up, here's what I recommend: If you want somewhere really cheap and really close to the French Quarter, and you don't mind such a seedy place (as long as you don't plan on lounging in your room long), then this place is an easy last minute book, and the staff is friendly. If you prefer something classy, or even something with a pool (for those of you who plan on having a boring time and spending MOST of your time in a hotel), then stay within the French Quarter or even the downtown area.
I'm not sure that I would necessarily recommend this place to anyone who is used to all the fine amenities offered by the likes of The Saint Louis or Wyndham or The Shearaton. But I think the next time I'm in a crunch and need a place to possibly just sleep for a few hours, I might consider it again.
