Unbelievable New Orleans Stay: International House Hotel Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your average hotel review. We're going deep with this place, ripping it apart and putting it back together with more honesty than a confession booth. Let's get ready for a review with some real personality.
Hotel Review: A Wobbly Verdict (Because Real Life is Wobbly)
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Alright, so I just got back from a stay at this hotel – and let me tell you, the experience was less "smooth operator" and more "reluctant participant in a slightly chaotic dance." I'm talking the full spectrum, from "OMG, this is heavenly!" to "Did a flock of pigeons move into my room overnight?"
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and The "Huh?"
Okay, major kudos to the hotel for seeming to try with the accessibility. They claim to be wheelchair accessible. That's a huge win right off the bat, because let's be real, it's still not standard everywhere. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but just the fact that they mention it, makes me feel a bit more hopeful.
Accessibility (On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Wheelchair accessible): Okay, I'll admit it. Without someone with a mobility issue I couldn't give a proper judgement. Let me call a pal. ring ring "Hey, Brenda! Need a favour? Is the accessibility good, or just like the hotel said it was? Call me back!"… Anyway, I will update this section when I have an answer, I hope!
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! (And the Occasional Glitch)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the brochure screamed. And for the most part, it delivered. Thank goodness. Because honestly, I need my internet. I mean, how else am I supposed to judge TikToks and pretend to work at the same time? The Wi-Fi in my room was generally solid, though I did experience some moments of… eternal buffering. And I could swear I saw the hotel cat trying to download a movie one time, probably the reason for the lagging, can't blame him.
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Look, the public Wi-Fi was fine. Kinda. The signal felt weaker than my ability to resist a second helping of dessert (more on that later). The LAN access I'm not sure. I wouldn't know a LAN if it bit me.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: From Bliss to "Meh"
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, the spa. This is where things get interesting. The pool, oh the pool. It truly did have a view. The view of… a construction site. Seriously. So, that was a letdown. The pool itself was nice, though, and I got a decent swim in before they started the jackhammering in earnest. I swear if I hear hammering again, I'll scream.
As for the spa, I splurged on a massage. The masseuse, bless her heart, had the hands of a gentle giant. I'm pretty sure I dozed off. Now, some might consider that a mark of failure, but I consider it a sign that I'm actually relaxing. If I recall rightly, they did offer a foot bath. I did not partake. A sauna and steamroom were available. I'm a sauna person. I didn't have time to go.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized? Maybe a Little Too Much?
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: I saw some serious cleaning going on. I mean, serious. The staff was obsessed with hand sanitizer (which, honestly, I appreciated). Everyone was masked (of course), and they seemed to have taken some seriously aggressive steps to disinfection. Maybe too much, perhaps? I'd love not to catch the sniffles, but the room did smell of industrial-strength cleaning products, even after I'd opened the windows. It's good, but… a bit much.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet vs. My Stomach
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Oh, the food. The buffet was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because, hello, unlimited food! A curse because, hello, that food coma. They had everything you could imagine – Asian breakfast, Western breakfast…everything. But honestly, I'm not sure it was all good. I was particularly delighted by the selection of pastries. Those did not disappoint and made the questionable breakfast a bit more tolerable.
The a la carte menu at the restaurant was solid. The poolside bar provided a great way to waste an hour or two. And the happy hour? Let's just say I may have slightly, gloriously overindulged. 24-hour room service? Wonderful.
Services and Conveniences: Helpful, Mostly
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The concierge was genuinely helpful. The daily housekeeping was efficient. The contactless check-in/out was a godsend. The elevator (thank goodness!). The gift shop? A treasure trove of… well, tourist tat, but hey – sometimes you just need a snow globe, don't you? I had no real need of the business facilities, but they seemed competent.
For the Kids: Family Friendly, Sort Of
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They claimed to be family/child friendly. I saw a couple of families with kids. I'm not sure what the kids did all day. There were kids facilities, for example, a play area. Not sure of the quality.
Access: The Little Things That Matter
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: All good here. I'm a fan of the 24 hour front desk.
Available in All Rooms: The Room Itself – The Good, The Bad, and the "Meh"
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Okay, my room. Decent. The bed was comfortable (extra long, which is a win for those of us who are tall-ish). The blackout curtains were fantastic. The toiletries were actually quite nice. The coffee/tea maker was a lifesaver. The desk gave me a place to set up my laptop and pretend to work. The free Wi-Fi worked
Luxury Escape: Four Points Sheraton Roma, Mexico City - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously-planned travel itinerary. This is a freakin' experience, and we're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, jazz-soaked chaos that is New Orleans from the comfy, if slightly stuffy, confines of theInternational House Hotel. (Spoiler alert: Things will probably go sideways, and I'll love every second of it…eventually.)
Day 1: Arrival, Angels, and Pre-emptive Beignets (aka, the "OMG, I'm in New Orleans!" Phase)
1:00 PM: Touchdown at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Okay, first impressions… it's humid. Like, really humid. My hair's already planning a full-blown rebellion. Grabbed my luggage (thank God it made it!), and taxi to the International House Hotel. The anticipation is killing me. I’ve seen the pictures, the slick marketing… now I'm here. Fingers crossed it's not a total letdown.
- Anxiety Level: High. What if the hotel is a dump? What if I get lost? What if I break a heel on a cobblestone and have to wander the French Quarter looking like a lost Cinderella? Deep breaths.
2:00 PM: Check-in. Okay, the lobby is…cool. Like, minimalist-chic-meets-vaguely-haunted-historical-society cool. The receptionist, a woman with the kind of perfectly coiffed silver hair that screams "I've seen things," hands me my key card. "Welcome to the House, darling. Hope you enjoy it." That feels…ominous. In a good way? I'm not sure.
2:30 PM: Room exploration. YES! The room is actually gorgeous. Sleek, modern, with giant windows overlooking… a courtyard. And it’s got a giant mirror. This is promising. I immediately sprawl on the bed, letting out a little "woohoo!" I'm officially on vacation!
3:00 PM: The Great Beignet Mission: My stomach is growling like a swamp monster. It's time for those heavenly, powdered-sugar-dusted donuts, the beignets. I head straight for Cafe Du Monde (the famous one! The original!). The wait in line is hellish. The heat is oppressive. I’m starting to sweat in places I didn't even know I could sweat. But…the smell. Sweet, yeasty, sugary ambrosia. My willpower is crumbling faster than the powdered sugar coating those bad boys.
- An anecdote: I'm pretty sure I saw a woman faint from sugar overload while waiting in line. Okay, maybe it was just a really dramatic swoon. Either way, it drove home the point like, New Orleans is intense.
4:00 PM: The Beignet Verdict: OH. MY. GOD. Worth the wait. Worth the sweat. Worth the potential insulin spike that's probably happening right now. I'm covered in sugar. My face is a white mess. And I've never been happier.
5:00 PM: Quick exploration of the French Quarter - okay, walk around some of the French Quarter, taking in the colors and sounds. Already, I feel the magic. The wrought-iron balconies, the music spilling out of every bar, the smell of something delicious frying… pure sensory overload.
7:00 PM: Dinner at Compère Lapin: I saw the recommendations and it felt good. The food is incredible, but the service is slow. And it's loud. I’m seated next to a table of gossiping socialites, and they're annoying for sure. Still, the Caribbean-inspired cuisine is a revelation.
Day 2: Cemetery, Streetcars, and a Jazz Revelation (aka, where things get delightfully weird)
9:00 AM: The Cemetery Crawl. Okay, so, I'm mildly obsessed with cemeteries. The history. The art. The…quiet. I embark on a tour of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It's fascinating, but it’s also hot. The tour guide, a woman with a mischievous glint in her eye, tells us about ghosts and voodoo and all sorts of spooky stuff. I'm half-convinced she's making it all up, but I don't care. It's captivating. And the above-ground tombs are genuinely stunning.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of fascination and…well, let's be honest, a little bit of a creepy feeling. I imagine the faces of the departed.
11:00 AM: Streetcar Ride of Nostalgia. I hop on the St. Charles streetcar. It's a classic. The slow, rattling journey through the Garden District. It's beautiful. Victorian mansions. Lush greenery. The soundtrack of the city.
- Quirky Observation: I notice that pretty much every house has a porch swing. I want one. Need one. Immediately.
1:00 PM: Lunch at a Po' Boy joint. A giant, messy, delicious po’boy. I need a nap after this, but first… shopping!
3:00 PM: Wander through Magazine Street. Vintage shops, art galleries, and a whole bunch of quirky boutiques. This street is a goldmine for unique souvenirs.
7:00 PM: Jazz Club Night. I've been looking forward to this ALL day. Spotted a place called Preservation Hall and the anticipation is killing me. The music begins. It's pure, unadulterated, soulful magic. This is everything. The sound hits me right in the chest. Pure bliss.
- Deeper Dive: There's a specific song. It's a trumpet solo, it feels like it's digging into my bones, and pulling out the joy!
10:00 PM: Back to the hotel, totally jazzed out (pun absolutely intended).
Day 3: Voodoo, Riverboats, and Goodbye (aka, the inevitable bittersweet)
9:00 AM: Voodoo Museum. It's fascinating, and maybe a little bit silly, but the history is compelling. I’m buying a voodoo doll. Purely for sentimental reasons, of course.
11:00 AM: Riverboat Cruise. I am a sucker for a cheesy tourist experience, and this one delivered. A lovely brunch, and the Mississippi River is something else.
1:00 PM: Lunch down at the riverside market. The fresh seafood is AMAZING.
3:00 PM: Packing. Oh God, the moment I didn’t want to face. I really don’t want to leave. New Orleans has somehow stolen my heart in just a few days.
5:00 PM: Last glimpse of the French Quarter. I take one last stroll through the French Quarter, just soaking it all in like a big, beautiful sponge. I see musicians, painters, and a guy in a ridiculous costume. I smile and wave at everyone.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Eating one last meal and saying goodbye. Good-bye. NO, I'm not ready.
9:00 PM: Sleep
10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. New Orleans, it’s been real.
So, um, what *is* this whole "FAQ" thingy?
Alright, alright, let's be honest. You're probably here because you have questions, right? And I…well, I *think* I might have some answers. This is basically a jumbled collection of stuff people usually ask, presented in the most chaotic, non-linear way possible. Think of it as my brain, filtered through a very unreliable sieve. Sorry in advance if it's got some holes.
Why are you doing this? Is this, like, a job?
A job? Haha! Bless your heart. No, no, no. This is more like…a desperate attempt to organize the swirling vortex of information that exists between my ears. Plus, I'm hoping if I write it all down, I'll finally be able to *remember* the good stuff! (Spoiler alert: it's not going well.) Maybe also, I'm just bored. Seriously, if you're reading this, send help! I have way too much time on my hands and not enough interesting conversations.
Okay, but what *specifically* is it *about*? I need context!
Ugh, context. The bane of my existence. Fine, fine, here it is. This *might* cover stuff…related to…well, life. The messy, beautiful, infuriating, and utterly bizarre tapestry of human existence. Topics could range from the profound (existential dread, anyone?) to the utterly trivial (the best way to eat a donut, obviously). Buckle up, it's a rollercoaster!
So, like, what are the rules? Do I have to follow a specific format?
Rules? Format? Honey, this *is* the format. Or, at least, the absence thereof. It's all about going with the flow, letting thoughts wander, and embracing the glorious chaos of it all. Seriously, one minute I'm rambling about the existential dread of grocery shopping, and the next I’m contemplating the meaning of life whilst simultaneously eating a cookie. It's a dangerous lifestyle, I know. It is what it is.
Is this thing…accurate? Reliable? Should I take this as gospel?
Oh, sweet summer child...accuracy? Reliability? Gospel? Absolutely not. Run away as fast as you can if you're expecting anything remotely resembling truth or sound advice! This is just me, my brain on… well, on whatever it happens to be on at the time. So, you know, take everything with a massive grain of salt, a hefty side of skepticism, and maybe a slice of lemon. Honestly, I’d probably fail a basic pop quiz. Don't blame me if your life implodes.
Okay, fine, I'll bite. What's your favorite color, then? (I'm testing the waters, you know.)
Favorite color? Ugh, that’s like asking which of my children I love the most… if I had children. Which I don’t. So, it's easier. I guess it depends on the day, the light, the mood. Right now? Probably a sort of bruised-plum-meets-stormy-sea-grey. But ask me again tomorrow, and it'll likely be something completely different, probably involving glitter.
What's the biggest mistake you've ever made? Spill the tea.
Oh, where do I even *begin*? Picking the wrong outfit for prom (neon green! What was I thinking?!). Trusting a guy who said he "really liked" my collection of rubber ducks. Accepting a dare to eat a whole habanero pepper. But the biggest? Okay, prepare yourself… I once, and I’m still mortified to admit this, *volunteered* to be in a school play. And I was supposed to be a singing tree. A *singing. tree.* The costume was itchy. My voice cracked. The crowd was… well, let's just say they weren't exactly clamoring for an encore. The mortification still haunts me. Never again, I swear. NEVER AGAIN. I'll be a hermit before I ever set foot on a stage again.
Tell me something you're proud of.
Hmm. Proud? Okay, this is tough. I’m not exactly the world’s most accomplished person. But… I’m pretty proud of my ability to find joy in the small, silly things. Like, the way the sunlight hits the dust motes dancing in a specific room, or the perfect crunch of a really good potato chip. Or that I haven't burnt down the kitchen… yet. (Knock on wood). Maybe I'm proud of still getting up every morning, even when the existential dread is trying to hold me hostage in my bed. Life is hard, you guys. Real, actual hard. But I'm still here. And even more, I'm here, I'm sharing my brain with the world. And that, in itself, is something to be proud of, yeah? Okay, maybe that's a bit much...
What do you do when you're feeling down? Hit me with the coping mechanisms.
Oh boy, this is my *specialty*. Chocolate. Glorious, decadent chocolate. Preferably with nuts and caramel. Or a really good, long, hot shower, where I can blast away the negativity with the power of H2O. Sometimes, I'll just curl up under a blanket and watch bad reality TV (guilty pleasure!). I'm a big fan of a good cry. Or, depending on the day… perhaps a hefty dose of retail therapy. Don’t judge. We're all flawed. The key is to recognize these coping mechanisms, and, you know, use them. In moderation. (Kidding! I have no moderation. But the chocolate is the key, seriously)
Do you have any advice for someone who is struggling?
Ugh, advice… From *me*? The walking disaster zone? Okay, okay… Here's what I've learned (the hard way, naturally). First, it's okay not to be okay. Seriously. Let yourself feel the feelings. Don't fight them. Then, findWander Stay Spot
