Based on previous reviews, we were nervous about staying here, but some were really good and we found that most hotels had about the same overall rating - some good some bad, yada yada.

Also, we figured that most hotels in the french quarter had been affected by Katrina and would be dingy and water damaged. This was not at all the case. We learned that Katrina flooding landlocked the french quarter but it didn't flood, so the buildings were not damaged there.

We found the staff to be welcoming (not effusive, but polite, professional and very helpful). The small courtyard was lovely (weather was unseasonably cold for us to use the pool. And we were lucky and bold enough to ask for a newly rennovated room They gladly switched us from the second floor to 417 in the main building.

It was lovely - everything brand new, bedding, furniture, flat screen tv. Soft towels, a robe and comfy beds. We never used the coffee maker (a pod style 2 cuper) because the coffee at breakfast (available 6:30 to 11) was delish & strong.

Breakfast was simple so we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They also had hard boiled eggs, croissants, juice and sometimes belgian waffles.

Free wireless connection was powerful & easy to use. Guest computer in the lobby is connected to the office printer and the staff gladly retrieved maps & tickets we needed to print.

We used the in room safe for our valubles, even our laptops. One Macbook and a 15" dell lattitude which I was able to gently cram in after removing the battery. Honestly, I did not get the feeling we needed to use the safe, but well, just to be safe, we did.

We highly recommend it and will return.

Also a tip: We rented bikes instead of a car and were very happy about that decision. The traffic in the French Quarter (esp in the evening) is miserable. Getting bikes into the elevator and the room was a tight squeeze but better and far cheaper than dealing with parking. Lots of cyclists in New Orleans - very few seem to follow rules of the road. We highly recommend Michael's Bicycles on Frenchman. It's walking distance from the hotel, bikes were worn but in great shape, staff was informative & friendly. Note they are closed on Weds.

We recently returned from New Orleans and enjoyed our stay at Dauphine. Here are a few of the key pluses for the hotel:

1) Location!!! One block over from Bourbon. This made it nice and easy to go back and change clothes or shoes, take a quick rest, open the window to hear the music.

2) Amenities!! Flatscreen LCD TVs, newly remodeled rooms, beautiful bathroom, and terrific Air Conditioning (trust me this is needed!).

3) One minute walk to our new favorite restaurant on the planet (no joke)! Make sure you stop at Jager-Haus which is located on Conti in between Bourbon and Dauphine. It is the most authentic German food and the beer selection there is really eclectic compared to the Miller and Bud that you have to drink on Bourbon. A nice change of pace from the Gumbo and Cajun. Check out my review on this restaurant. We were so thuroughly impressed by it!

4) Service at the front desk was OK, but the help in the garage (hailing taxis, setting up tours, making recommendations), was second to none!

This is a solid pick when in the French Quarter, close enough to everything, but removed just enough not to have to deal with all of the drunk noise at 3:00 in the morning! We slept like babies and you will too! OH, the price was terrific too!

I'm so glad I found this hotel! My husband and I just returned from a 5 night stay and we will definitely return. Staff was friendly and efficient. Several small problems were fixed immediately. We got free drink vouchers for May Baileys Pub. There is free internet access in the lobby and I was told that WiFi will be available soon. We had a standard king room that felt spacious and was immaculately clean. Mattress was VERY comfortable. Bathroom was marbled with a full tub and strong shower. Full continental breakfast is served in a cafe area downstairs or you can eat in the courtyard under an umbrella. Very quiet at night.

We recently returned from a few days in NOLA at the Dauphine Orleans.This is our second trip to NOLA (the first post Katrina).This trip was planned to celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary.We enjoyed our stay in this small hotel which has a great location. The staff was helpful and when asked, provided excellent suggestions for meals and directions. Check in and check out were quick and uncomplicated. We did online flight check-in on a hotel computer provided for guests. We also used their wireless connection to check email on our IPAQ.
The continental breakfast and welcome drink at May Bailey's was very nice;the bartender was informative, entertaining, and friendly. We met several friendly locals at the bar who provided us with helpful information.
The mattress in our room was one of the most comfortable we've ever slept on. Our room, on the 4th floor,although not large, was adequate, nicely furnished and clean. The tv,hairdryer, heating/airconditioner were in good working order.There was a coffee maker in our room but we did not have a chance to use it. The robes were a nice touch.The street was very quiet and we did not have any major safety concerns while in the hotel or the immediate area. Perhaps the only negative experience we encountered was the loudness of returning guests in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday night. Young adult guests, gathered to smoke and talk on the patio below our window. The smell of smoke entered our room inspite of the closed windows. We did not have any problems with noise or smoke during the remainder of our stay.
The fitness room was small but adequate. We didn't use it much since we were walking all day , enjoying the mild weather. Perhaps when we return, we'll get the opportunity to use the pool, relax poolside and enjoy the afternoon tea and cookies.