I’ll be in town December 4 through 8 to speak to some people at Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine about the Master’s program I’m interested in. I’m not sure where I should stay though - the offices I need to go to are located in the Medical Center of Tulane, not the main Tulane campus, and I’ve heard that area is unsafe to walk through (I’ll be taking public transportation or walking while I’m there). Should I stay at a chain hotel there and just take a taxi back if I’m out at night by myself, or should I stay closer to the French Quarter? Also, does anyone have any particular hotels/ bed and breakfasts to recommend that are under 100 dollars a night?
Thanks!
Well, if the place just up the street from the med center was any indication, the hotels of that neighborhood leave quite a lot to be desired. The Economy Motorlodge isn’t nearly as nice as it sounds. (But really, when a place is less than $40/night and has vacancies for New Year’s 2000 in walking distance of Bourbon Street, what do you expect?) We generally walked during the day and then cabbed back at night, but Dr. J and I had the devil’s own time finding a cab willing to take us back there in the middle of the night on New Year’s.
I attended school at Tulane and I love to go back and visit the city. You’re correct - the Medical Center is not a particularly great part of town. I recommend the Quarter for both ambiance and ease of travel. My favorite place to stay is the Villa Convento. It’s in the Quarter near the French Market and an easy cab ride to the Med. Center. It’s an old French courtyard townhouse converted into a “shabby genteel” hotel. Lots of character, it’s quite safe, and prices start at $59.00 a night. I’ve usually been able to get a balcony room there for around $80. The front desk guy is a bit of a curmudgeon, but he’s harmless.
There are also some nice places in the Garden District.
Its probably changed a lot since I worked as a travel nurse at Tulane.
The company I worked for didn’t check where they were housing us. We ended up a block from the medical center. Scary! The Projects are across Canel St.
I do remember the Villa Convento. It was nice then too. I think Tom Robbins mentions it in Jitterbug Purfume.
The French Quarter is a continous party, but not always safe for the unwary. Keep your wallet in a front pocket, and your eyes open and looking 350,˚ & don’t take candy from strangers.
If you have a chance, see if the Pink Flamingo, in the Garden District is still there. A fun place. they had a drink on the menu for $40. It was several shots of nastiness, and then they pierced your ear.
I used to stay at St. Peter House in the quarter. Quiet, quaint, tiny rooms at ~$60 a night.