Stayed at the hotel May 2008. Great location, friendly staff, beautiful room; however the noise from the Country Bar below was excruciating!!! Had a room facing inward toward the pool, as others had recommended, however, the bar band on the first level cranked it up around 4pm and continued to thump until 6am! The room actually vibrated from the noise. Hotel rooms are for resting so you can play some more, but not at this hotel. Recommend staying somewhere else, even if you are a heavy sleeper(like I am).

There are three ways to see New Orleans....from an expensive Resort Hotel, from an inexpensive Bed and Breakfast, or from this place, Party Central. It is RIGHT on Bourbon Street...so come HERE if you want fun. IF you come here, for goodness' sakes get a balcony room overlooking Bourbon!
It is WONDERFUL to escape the crowds, stroll out to your overlooking balcony, drink in hand, and watch the hoi polloi from a safe distance...no drunks spilling on you, no panhandlers approaching you...just watch from a safe balcony.
The lobby is gorgeous, the Pool area spectacular...especially in humid New Orleans.
Be prepared for incredibly-sticky room carpets from generations of spilled drinks....you're here for the experience, not for cleanliness!
One major negative....the balcony is one Long balcony connecting all rooms, so it's very frequent to find your balcony chairs have been purloined by adjoining rooms! It would seem so simple to put simple rope chains between rooms for privacy and safety....they can be taken down for Mardi Gras.
Be wary, the underground parking has unbelievably tiny parking spots...make for VW bugs more than real cars.

Stayed at the Royal Sonesta from 5/12/08-5/14/08. This is my second annual visit to New Orleans for a work conference. I stayed in a king room with a balcony overlooking the pool. It was a large room with a huge flat screen tv. The room was very quiet with comfortable bedding and down pillows. Restroom amenities were nice and the hotel is very well kept. Entrance is literally right on Bourbon street. If you don't want the noise and have complete peace and quiet, don't stay anywhere near the rooms facing Bourbon Street or the side street. Within walking distance to Jackson square.

Perfect location for all your party needs, but quiet enough for a fantastic night's sleep. Couldn't have asked for a better hotel in a better location.

The bed was a pleasure to sleep in, and I love the hair and body products in the room!