ROYAL SONESTA

The Royal Sonesta Hotel on rambunctious Bourbon Street in the French Quarter exudes European elegance and Southern charm. Guests are within walking distance or short drives from the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, Harrah's Casino, Six Flags New Orleans and the Living Science Museum. They should definitely check out Jackson Square six blocks away, where quaint shops, street performers, soothsayers, tarot card readers, artisans and other funky folks ply their trades. The seven story hotel most hotels aren't very high in the Big Easy is built in traditional French Quarter style, with gabled windows, French doors and wrought iron balconies from which guests watch all the action on Bourbon Street, especially during Mardi Gras. Guests can dine on French and Creole cuisine at Begue's, wind up at the Desire Oyster Bar, and then at Le Booze bar, which opens onto Bourbon Street for a quintessential New Orleans experience. In addition to street level shopping, the hotel features an outdoor pool, fitness center, interior patios, a sightseeing and information desk, and in room massages. Speaking of rooms, the 500 guest rooms offer antique reproduction art and furnishings, minibars, data ports, high speed Internet access, CD players and fancy designer toiletries. With multiple conference rooms, audio/visual equipment and a spot near the central biz district, the hotel caters to corporate folks and wedding parties, but tourists consider the Royal Sonesta a fav because of its French Quarter location. &nbsp