Unbelievable New Orleans Getaway: Residence Inn Metairie Awaits!
Unbelievable New Orleans Getaway: Residence Inn Metairie Awaits! - My Honest (and Slightly Messy) Take
Okay, folks, let's be real. Planning a trip to New Orleans is an experience. It's about a city bursting with life, flavor, and a whole lot of "laissez les bon temps rouler!" But finding a decent place to actually stay can feel like navigating a swamp full of gators (hopefully, you won't find any actual gators). So, I just got back from a stay at the Residence Inn Metairie, and let me tell you…it's got its quirks. But in a surprisingly good way. Let's dive into this rambling review, shall we?
(SEO Note: We're going to sprinkle keywords like "New Orleans hotel", "Metairie hotel", "accessible hotel New Orleans", "family-friendly hotel New Orleans," and more throughout, but organically. Don't worry, Google, I got this.)
First Impressions (and the Elevator Drama!)
Right off the bat, the location is key. Metairie is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the French Quarter and all the New Orleans action, but it's a calmer, more…manageable base. The exterior? Standard Residence Inn, nothing to knock your socks off. That's where the drama begins.
Accessibility - I'm not personally wheelchair-bound, but I did a good stroll with a couple of friends in wheelchairs. And let me tell you, the hotel seemed very accessible!
- Wheelchair accessible: Ramps, elevators that actually work (more on that later!), and accessible rooms are a huge win. Check!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Looked solid – grab bars in bathrooms, etc. They've clearly put some thought into this, which is refreshing. Very impressed with this one. The elevators are a big help.
- Exterior corridor: Yes, an exterior corridor is good. Makes things easier.
Rambling Thoughts on Elevators + Safety & Security (because honestly, security is important, right?)
Okay, the elevators. I thought I was going to have to climb twelve flight of stairs! You know, I had a tiny moment of panic when I stepped out of the car… I quickly found out that the elevators took a while, about 3 - 5 minutes! But! Once I got in that elevator, I felt safe!
- CCTV in common areas/outside property: Yep, saw cameras. Made me feel more secure.
- Front desk [24-hour]/Security [24-hour]: Somebody's always there, watching the fort. Good.
- Smoke alarms/Fire extinguisher: Of course, they're there. That's the good news, not the bad news.
- Safety/security feature: A safety feature. Yeah, makes sense.
- I feel like you can relax here, the staff is friendly, and they put extra thought into the safety of the hotel.
The Room - A Cozy, Spacious, and (mostly) Clean Sanctuary
(SEO Note: "spacious hotel rooms New Orleans," "family suites New Orleans," "comfortable hotel beds New Orleans")
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. - All of those, check!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Phew! Huge relief, especially with the state of the world.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Honestly, I didn't even know that was a thing!
- My room had a nice, big comfy bed. The sofa wasn't the most comfortable, but the overall vibe was clean and inviting.
The included breakfast was the real deal!
- Asian breakfast
- Breakfast in room
- Breakfast takeaway service
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Buffet in restaurant
- Western breakfast
The Food and Drink - Beyond the Buffet (Mostly)
(SEO Note: "restaurants near Residence Inn Metairie," "breakfast buffet New Orleans," "hotel bar New Orleans")
Okay, so breakfast was included, and it was a solid, carb-loading kinda deal. Eggs (meh), waffles, all the usual suspects. It was perfect for keeping the hunger monsters at bay before a day of exploring.
- Restaurants : There is no restaurant in the hotel.
- Coffee shop: No coffee shop. However, free coffee every morning is good..
- Poolside bar: No poolside bar.
- Happy hour: No happy hour
- Bar: No direct bar!
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (or, The Spa That Wasn't!)
(SEO Note: "pool hotel New Orleans," "fitness center New Orleans," "spa hotel New Orleans")
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! It was decent, especially after a hot day tromping around the French Quarter.
- Fitness center: The gym was small but functional.
- **Spa/sauna, Spa: Not available
- Steamroom: Not available
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
(SEO Note: "hotel with free parking New Orleans," "pet-friendly hotel New Orleans," "hotel with laundry service New Orleans")
- Car park [free of charge]: Huge WIN! Parking in New Orleans can be a nightmare.
- Cash withdrawal/Currency exchange : Not available.
- Convenience store: No convenience store on the premises.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes! It's a lifesaver, especially after a day of Bourbon Street shenanigans.
- Laundry service Yes.
- Doorman: No doorman
- Pets allowed unavailable: Well, it's unavailable.
For the Kids - Family-Friendly Vibes (or Lack Thereof)
(SEO Note: "family hotels New Orleans," "kid-friendly hotels New Orleans")
- Babysitting service: Unavailable
- Family/child friendly: There's a pool, and the suites are spacious. But, the place is not particularly tailored to kids.
- Kids meal: Not available
- Kids facilities: None really.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Covid Factor
(SEO Note: "safe hotels New Orleans," "covid-friendly hotels New Orleans," "sanitized hotels New Orleans")
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Seriously, everywhere.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Breakfast… mostly.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: A major plus.
The Verdict: Worth the Stay? (Absolutely, But With a Few Caveats)
Okay, so the Residence Inn Metairie isn't perfect. It's not some luxurious, over-the-top experience. But it's a solid, reliable base of operations. The rooms are spacious, the free parking is a massive bonus, and the location is great. It's clean, safe, and relatively affordable. Plus, Metairie is a nice change of pace from the hustle of the French Quarter.
My Emotional Response:
- Loved: The location. The free parking. The spacious room. The cleanliness.
- Could be better: The elevator situation.
Overall, I'd recommend it! Especially if you're traveling with family or just want a comfortable, convenient, and no-frills experience.
The Ultimate Offer:
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- FREE Parking: Save money and the headache of finding a spot in the city!
- Spacious Suites: Perfect for families or anyone who wants a little extra room to spread out.
- Complimentary Breakfast: Fuel up for your adventures with a hearty breakfast.
- A Clean & Safe Environment: Relax knowing the hotel is committed to your health and well-being.
- Proximity to the French Quarter: Easy access to all the action!
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McAlester's Hidden Gem: SureStay Hotel Review & Booking!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't going to be a brochure. This is me, basically winging it, trying to remember what happened on a trip to the Residence Inn in Metairie, Louisiana. And let me tell you, my memory… it's got more holes than a crawfish boil.
The (Mostly) Unreliable Itinerary: Residence Inn New Orleans Metairie, Where the Good Times… Well, Sometimes They Happen.
Day 1: Arrival. Bourbon Street Blues (and maybe some indigestion.)
- 1:00 PM: TOUCHDOWN! Arrived at MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport). Ugh, airports. Always the same, fluorescent lights, the smells of over-priced coffee and… fear? Am I the only one who gets a little airport anxiety? Like, are we REALLY going to get there? Is my bag going to end up in Timbuktu? Anyway, found the rental car, which, thankfully, was NOT a tiny death trap.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at the Residence Inn. Honestly, it was fine. Perfectly functional. Clean enough. Like, you know, a hotel. The front desk guy was… there. Not overly friendly, not overly rude. Standard hotel front desk guy. They gave me a room, a key, and a vague sense of "good luck."
- 2:30 PM: Room check. Okay, it's fine. Standard. The mini-kitchen… well, let's be honest, I'm not going to cook. Ever. But hey, a fridge is a fridge, right? Thinking ahead, that might be good for leftovers. And definitely, maybe, storing a bottle (or two) of something strong for the evening.
- 3:00 PM: Deep breath. Got to figure out parking. I'm the worst at parking. The lot was alright, a few tight spots, but the parking in the area was convenient. Thank heavens.
- 4:00 PM: Drive into the city. Now, the traffic… dear Lord, the traffic. I swear, there are more cars on the roads than there are beads on a Mardi Gras float. Okay, deep breaths. I made it.
- 5:00 PM: Bourbon Street. Okay, brace yourself. Bourbon Street: tourist trap, sensory overload, and surprisingly charming in its own, chaotic way. I wandered. Drank a hurricane. Probably two. The music was loud, the people were… interesting. I saw a guy juggling flaming torches. Or maybe it was just the hurricanes.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at somewhere on Bourbon Street. The food was… forgettable. Which is probably for the best. I vaguely remember some jambalaya. The drinks, however, were memorable.
- 9:00 PM: I needed to get out of there. It was a zoo. Found a quieter bar, where I proceeded to have a "philosophical" conversation with a local about the meaning of life. I'm pretty sure I didn't understand a word he said.
- 10:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Slightly wobbly. Slightly regretful. The regret was mostly about the jambalaya. And maybe the "philosophical" conversation.
Day 2: Swamp Things and Soul Food. (And Possible Regret.)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The free breakfast was… fine. The usual suspects. Eggs, sausage, some sad-looking fruit. I think I loaded up on coffee and hoped for the best.
- 10:00 AM: Decided I was going to get cultured, so maybe the swamp tour. Found a recommended tour company that was near the hotel.
- 11:00 AM: The swamp tour! This was SO MUCH FUN! The air was thick and humid, like a warm, wet hug. Saw some alligators. They're less intimidating than they look in movies. The guide was a great character. Telling stories and pointing out birds. I think I forgot my camera.
- 1:00 PM: SOUL FOOD. After the swamp, I found a recommended place, somewhere in the city. The food was unbelievable! Chicken, rice and beans. I ate so much I thought I would burst. I got so full, I almost passed out while paying the bill.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap. The food coma was REAL.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner was leftovers from Soul Food place. Thank goodness for the fridge.
- 7:00 PM: Sat in the hotel room and wondered what to do. Decided to order some pizza.
- 9:00 PM: Watched TV, ate pizza, and went to bed.
Day 3: Museums and Metairie Memories, or, "Did I Really Do That?"
- 9:00 AM: Slept in, obviously. Decided to hit the gym at the hotel. It was… a hotel gym. Did some obligatory treadmill walking.
- 11:00 AM: Went to a museum somewhere in New Orleans. The art? Amazing. Couldn't tell you which one. I have no memory.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch somewhere. Some kind of sandwich and a soda.
- 3:00 PM: Decided to go back to the hotel and regroup. Probably a mistake.
- 4:00 PM: Bored. Walked around Metairie. Apparently there is shopping there. Maybe I should get some souvenirs.
- 6:00 PM: Realized I needed to get ready to leave.
- 7:00 PM: Started packing.
- 8:00 PM: The final goodbye to the hotel.
Epilogue: The Long Road Home (and a nagging feeling…)
So, there you have it. My probably-inaccurate and, let's be honest, slightly embarrassing adventure in New Orleans and Metairie. Did I have a good time? Mostly. Would I go back? Absolutely. Even if I can't quite remember all of it.
And, in case you're wondering, no, I still don't know what happened to that camera.
Unbelievable Cleveland Getaway: OYO Hotel's Secret Revealed!
Unbelievable New Orleans Getaway: Residence Inn Metairie Awaits! ...or Does It? (A Rambling FAQ)
Okay, so... What's the *deal* with this "Unbelievable New Orleans Getaway"? Is it *actually* unbelievable?
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. The "Unbelievable" part? Well, that depends on your definition of "unbelievable." I went in thinking it *had* to be. You know, all the hype, the photos… Truthfully, I think “Mostly Believable” is a better descriptor. Metairie isn't *in* New Orleans. Let’s be honest. It's a hop, skip, and a slightly questionable Uber ride away. So, unbelievable? Maybe. But in the way your ex-boyfriend is "unbelievable" – like, 'can you *believe* he still hasn't returned your favorite sweater?'
Is Residence Inn Metairie as "luxurious" as the brochure suggests? Because I'm picturing a pool with swans and complimentary caviar.
Okay, real talk. The swans? Not there. The caviar? Definitely not. My expectations were a *tad* elevated, I admit. It's a Residence Inn. Think… dependable. Clean-ish. The pool was… well, it *had* water in it. I saw a rogue pool noodle that looked like it had seen better days. But hey, at least it *had* a pool, right? My kids were happy, and that's all that matters, until they start complaining about the lack of swans. "Mom, why can't *we* have swans?" *Sigh*.
Tell me about the free breakfast. Is it actually worth getting out of bed for? Or is it the usual hotel breakfast buffet doom?
Alright, the breakfast. This is where things get interesting. The free breakfast… let’s just say, I've had *worse*. The scrambled eggs weren't exactly Michelin-star quality, but they were… edible. The waffles? Standard hotel waffle fare. The coffee? Well, that's the real test, isn't it? It was… coffee. It could pull you from the brink of a caffeine headache. Basically, it's not going to win any awards, but it gets the job done. And hey, free is free. I’m not saying I didn’t sneak an extra waffle for the road. Don’t judge. Breakfast is serious business after a late night in the French Quarter.
Okay, so, Metairie. How is that *actually* for seeing New Orleans? Is the location convenient?
Convenient? That's a loaded word. It's *relatively* convenient. You're not smack-dab in the middle of the French Quarter, obviously. You're going to be driving, using ride-sharing (expect increased surge charges on weekends, especially after dark, a minor annoyance), or taking public transport. The drive isn't *terrible*, maybe 20-ish minutes if traffic cooperates. But traffic in and out of New Orleans is a beast. Plan accordingly. And honestly, I wouldn't trust Google Maps completely. I got routed down some pretty sketchy streets. Make sure you have a good navigation system, and maybe a healthy dose of street smarts.
Speaking of location, what's *actually* around the Residence Inn? Restaurants? Bars? Or is it just strip malls of doom?
Strip malls of doom is, admittedly, an *accurate* descriptor. But, hear me out! You've got your chain restaurants, your fast food places, and a few local joints. Look, you're not going to be stumbling out of a jazz club and into your hotel room. But it's not a total wasteland. There's a decent grocery store nearby. You're not likely to starve. And you know what? Sometimes, after a day of intense tourist activity, a familiar, predictable meal is just what the doctor ordered. I had a craving for Chinese food, and lo and behold, there it was! I’ll never forget the perfectly fried wontons. *sniff* pure heaven!
Let's be honest, did you actually *enjoy* your time at the Residence Inn Metairie? What was the *best* part?
Okay, so, enjoy? Yes, I did. But not the kind of *euphoric, earth-shattering* joy you get from, say, eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde. The best part? Honestly, the *space*. We had a suite. With *two* rooms. After several nights sharing a sardine can of a hotel room with the kids—it was bliss. Separation is good! I could hide in the bedroom and finish my book while the kids watched cartoons and had an absolute blast. It was a much-needed break. That, and the waffle incident I mentioned earlier. Those might have been my favorite waffles ever.
What was the *worst* part of the stay? Any major downsides?
Oh boy. The worst part. Hmmm…Let’s go with the *lack* of a decent happy hour. Most hotels these days have something. There wasn’t even a sad, pathetic vending-machine situation. And the noise. The walls…thin. I swear, I could hear the neighbors' TV. Also, someone was having a party a few doors down, and let me tell you, trying to sleep through a very loud rendition of "Sweet Caroline" at 2 AM is not fun. "Good times never seemed so good!" *Ugh.* And, the parking... it was limited, and it definitely became inconvenient.
Would you stay at Residence Inn Metairie again? (Be honest!)
Look, if I needed to go back to New Orleans and the price was right, yeah, I’d consider it. Knowing what I know now, I'd be more emotionally prepared. I’d bring earplugs. I'd pack my own snacks. And absolutely, I *would* scope out the local happy hour options *before* checking in. It's functional, it gets the job done, and the space is a huge plus. Just don't go expecting swans. Or unbelievable experiences. Maybe.
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