New Orleans Hotel Review: Hilton Garden Inn – Convention Center
Today we’re going to look at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center–A hotel that is close to the port and even closer to offsite cruise parking.
Parking
The only option the hotel has is valet parking for $39 per night.
Instead of paying for valet parking and having to wait in line to park on embarkation day, I booked a night of hotel parking for $23 at Fulton Garage. Then I booked a week of rooftop Cruise Parking at Fulton for $84. Both parking options can be booked at New Orleans Parking.
After parking I just took a small bag with the items I needed for the night over to the hotel. I would return to retrieve my suitcase in the morning before boarding the shuttle to the port.
This is a picture of the hotel taken from the roof of Fulton Parking Garage.
Here is a look towards the port from the roof of Fulton Parking Garage. The port is on the other side of the convention center.
This is a look towards downtown from the roof of Fulton Parking Garage.
If you are looking for something to do in this area the day before your cruise, I highly recommend a visit to the National World War II museum. The museum could be done in three hours, but I recommend allowing for five hours if you really want to be able to take your time. You can read my review of it here: New Orleans: WWII Museum.
This picture will give you an idea of how far away the National World War II museum is from the parking garage.
Lobby
In the hotel lobby to the right of the front desk they have a little store where you can purchase snacks.
Restaurant
At the time of my stay their restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner due to renovations. Those should be complete by now.
Bar
This is the bar which is right by the lobby, restaurant, and just around the corner from the elevators.
Business Center
They do have a small business center with a computer and printer/copier if you need to print our your boarding pass or luggage tags.
Fitness Center
The fitness center includes cardio equipment and free weights.
Pool
They have a nice rooftop pool area that overlooks the warehouse district.
Courtyard
The courtyard features a gazebo, a seating area, and a fountain.
Room
I requested a room with one bed on the top floor facing the river and was accommodated.
I really like bathrooms with glass door walk-in showers.
The room does have a safe in the closet in case you need to lock up valuables.
The room is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave, and a Keurig.
The desk has two power outlets and two USB connections.
Both nightstands also have two power outlets and two USB connections.
This is Fulton Parking Garage on the left. The port is on the other side of the convention center which is straight ahead.
Restaurants
There are plenty of restaurants in the area including Emeril’s.
Cochon Butcher
I’m going to eat at Cochon Butcher which is practically across the street from the hotel. Cochon Restuarant is the yellow sign just down the street.
Cochon Butcher is a sandwich shop that makes all of their meat in house.
I went off the normal menu and ordered the Coppa Steak Special. I also got a side of Mac N Cheese and a local beer, Abita Amber.
Room
You can see they are setting up tents in the parking lot across from the garage this morning. It turns out today is New Orleans’ version of the running of the bulls. In New Orleans this is where runners dress in white with a red sash and get chased by roller derby girls wearing horns while carrying plastic bats.
We can see plastic bat wielding roller derby girls gathering in front of the hotel.
Triangle Street Parking Lot
I decided to head over to the parking lot to see if I could find breakfast.
I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my favorite food trucks Crepes a la Carte.
I went with The Big Pig.
Fulton Parking Garage
I returned to the parking garage to drop off my dirty clothes and collect my suitcase from the car.
The driver loaded my suitcase in the back and I boarded the shuttle.
And we are off.
This picture is taken from the ship on debarkation day. The shuttle on the right is the one for Fulton Garage. It’s always in that spot. You can see one is pulling out as another is loading.
This is a look at the return ride to from the port to Fulton.
If you are looking for a hotel in the French Quarter, this may not be what you’re looking for. But if you’re looking for a cruise hotel where you can park your car and catch a shuttle to the port right across the street, Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center is one of your best options.
