Anyone attending the Essence Festival will find the majority of events within walking distance. You can enjoy the festivities and then retire to the Renaissance where it is pretty silent. I liked my room last year so much I asked for it again this year. The hotel gave me the same room-- modern, roomy, exposed brick, views and clean! Not bad for someone who travels up to 50% of the time and finds that quality rooms arent always easy to find. As well, the inside of the hotel features art works throughout, with a full art exhibit on the first floor---just beautiful! The staff is willing to help make my stay enjoyable, which is always a nice addition.

Got a fantastic deal through Priceline, and thoroughly enjoyed my solo stay. Hotel is a in a great location (safe, walking distance to the French Quarter etc), and absolutely gorgeously decorated with various artworks. Friendly and helpful front desk too. Rooms are on the smaller side, but very comfortable. Didn't use the exercise facilities much, but they seemed more than adequate.

Very nice, modern hotel. Beautiful public areas and rooms. Comfortable bed. Roof-top Pool. Great Value (we paid ~$100 per night). Pleasant, helpful staff (they provided many maps, cabs, and directions for us).

We stayed at the Rennaissance Arts for 2 nights in June 2008. It was out first visit to New Orleans and the hotel was much better than we expected, bright, modern, clean, and a fairly good location.

You are about 3 blocks south of St. Charles Street (and the St. Charles Street trolley car which winds through the Garden District).

You are a 15 minute walk or $7 cab ride from the French Quarter, close enough to be totally convenient, yet far enough to offer a nice respite each evening.

One block west of the hotel (literally 1 block, less 3 min walk) is Emeril's restaurant.

Two blocks east (5 min walk) is a really cute wine bar "W.I.N.O" (Wine Institue of New Orleans).

Two blocks south (5 min walk) is the Riverfront Dining and Shopping mall.

The only sub-par feature of the hotel is that the hotel restaurant simply can't compete with NOLA cuisine. We had drinks and dessert there one evening and I think it was probably the worst bread pudding in all of New Orleans. But there are so many other places to eat in NOLA, why would you want to eat in your restaurant anyway?

I stayed here recently on a work trip. The hotel was pretty cool as it had a variety of art pieces throughout the location and in each of the rooms. This hotel is in the warehouse district and within walking distance to some great restaurants a coffee shop and galleries galore. Also, not too far off from the Quarter.

The workout room on the top floor was nice and well apportioned and the pool (also on the top floor) had nice views of the city/river.

Comfortable - but a little pricey compared to what you can get in other parts of the CBD/downtown.