I detest hotel chains. I will stay at the glass and steel monsters only when there are no other options. Why travel if your room looks just like the room in any other city?The Provincial is precisely the kind of place I try to find.

My room allowed me to walk directly out to the wonderful pool area and take a dip upon rising or just before going to bed. Te room was clean, the air conditioning up to the task of staving off the heat in New Orleans in summer time. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

You could not ASK for a better location either. It's a bit out of the way as far as the party-goers are concerned...unless you are with a group doing their own partying you aren't going to have to deal with that kind of noise in your room. Decauter, however, is just a two-block walk away...so you can join the party whenever you desire. Jackson square is just a couple of blocks in another direction.

The rooms were small...not New York small, or even San Francisco small...they were small. But, from what I understand, that's how all the rooms are in New Orleans unless you really pay top dollar for accommodations. Everything was quite nice, centrally located, and an easy walk to anything in the French Quarter. The staff were totally nice, and our stay was quite pleasant.

My review of the hotel would be longer, but we stayed just over 12 hours and I didn't have a very long experience. I will say this much: next time I happen through New Orleans, I would definitely stay at the Hotel Provincial again.

The Hotel Provincial was a really great place. It is truly tucked in on Rue Chartres. From the front gate it looks beautiful, but small. Once inside you realize how grand this little hotel actually is. Provincial has several small, beautiful courtyards, and two pools. The courtyards were very calming, almost like a refuse from the crazy world outside. Valet parking is an additional $15 daily. This is both reasonable and worthwhile. Several of the hotels we stayed in downtown did not have their own parking facility. At night the front gates are locked and guarded, so the hotel is very safe. The rooms were relatively small, but very clean and wonderfully decorated. The staff at the hotel was great. A wonderful touch is that they provide you with a daily newspaper.

The best part was the location, which places you two blocks from Jackson Square and three blocks off of Bourbon Street. You can get to anywhere in the French Quarter by walking in 10 minutes.

The hotel is perfectly suitable. The concierge here is excellent for recommending tours, and the location is ideal - in the center of the French Quarter. I have two warnings.

Do not get a poolside room. The walls are very thin, and if you aren't listening to the screams of children playing, you are hearing drunk people laugh as they fall backwards into the pool. Neither sound creates a romantic atmosphere.

Breakfast is not included. There is a somewhat pricey cafe with good food attached to the hotel.