The Blake Hotel New Orleans
500 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, USAWhy We Like It
Style and charm aren't big here, but rooms are sunny and spacious, and rates are a bargain for this location.
Fodor's Expert Review
This large hotel on the corner of St. Charles and Poydras offers clean, sunny rooms with great views of downtown New Orleans. During the season, this is a great place to catch Mardi Gras parades. Other times of the year, it's a jumping off point for exploring the CBD and French Quarter, and this hotel caters well to families and business travelers alike.
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Room
Recently renovated rooms have pillow top mattresses, flat-screened TVs, and large windows.
Bathroom
Standard bathrooms are small, with marble vanities and bathtub/shower combinations.
Lobby
The lounge here is all business, with complimentary computers and desks for guests' use and some seating areas. Wide windows look out onto St. Charles and Poydras streets.
Gym
The gym looks out over downtown New Orleans, with a few cardio machines and strength training equipment.
Dining
This sunny cafe serves comfort food for breakfast and lunch. The sketch portraits on the wall are a little bizarre, but you can choose to look out onto the greenery of Lafayette Square instead.
Drinking
Cafe at the Square has a full bar. During the spring, local musicians perform every Wednesday evening at Lafayette Square, with food and cocktails available for purchase.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel offers valet, and Poydras Street is a convenient place to catch cabs. The St. Charles streetcar line runs in front of this hotel and connects you to Mid City, Uptown, and Canal Street.
Restaurants
You'll find several great restaurants in the Paramount Building on Lafayette Street, about a 6-minute walk from the hotel. Willa Jean, a product of the John Besh empire, serves a great, casual brunch with homemade pastries. The creative Asian-fusion at Maypop features dim sum during the day, and great seafood, rice and pasta-based dishes in the evening. The Company Burger is a local favorite for a classic burger and fries.