Escape to New Orleans: TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank Awaits!
Escape to New Orleans: TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank Awaits! - A Rambling Review (Because Life Isn't Perfectly Polished)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank! Forget the perfectly curated travel blogs – this is the real deal. I just got back from a stay, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. And because I'm not one for fluff, let's get this messy, honest, funny, and absolutely human review rolling.
First, an Admission: New Orleans. Hot. Humid. Amazing.
Okay, I need to preface this: New Orleans is a freaking vibe. It's like a jazz band that’s always playing in the background of your life. So, naturally, any hotel has an uphill battle to win me over if it's in the Big Easy.
Let's Unpack This Suite…Literally.
So, the TownePlace Suites. My first thought? It’s in Harvey. Didn't know Harvey, didn't care. But let's be real, location is everything, right? Especially in a city where parking is a competitive sport. The internet didn't exactly scream luxury, but then again, neither does my bank account.
The Good Stuff (Because I like to be positive, sometimes!)
- Accessibility? Yeah, they've got it. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did see ramps, elevators, and signs pointing to accessible rooms. That's a huge win! And in a city with cobblestone streets… vital.
- Wi-Fi? Free and abundant! (They shout that from the rooftops, and I appreciate it.) In every room! Finally, can get my Instagram stories up without wanting to throw my phone through the window.
- Kitchenette vibes! I love a good kitchenette. Made my own coffee and had access to breakfast in my room!. Breakfast takeaway service when rushing out in the mornings? Genius.
- Cleanliness & Safety: Okay, I was REALLY impressed. They’re SERIOUS about hygiene. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff in masks. The whole deal. That’s a huge relief. You can even opt out of having your room cleaned daily, for added peace of mind. I might have spent a little too much time staring at the anti-viral cleaning products.
- The Pool… Maybe. Let’s just say it was there. Outdoor, for sure (the Louisiana sun isn't shy). Pool with a view? Not really. More like a pool with… a view of the parking lot. But hey, a pool is a pool, right? Especially in the Louisiana heat.
The Meh Area (Where things get a little… real.)
- Food & Drink (Let's Be Honest) - There's a bar (yay!), but the dining isn't exactly a Michelin star experience. They have restaurants, but the real magic is outside. Think, you'll want to explore restaurants, not just eat in. There is a coffee shop though, which is a big positive for me.
- Facilities, Services, Conveniences: They have a daily housekeeping!
- Things to do, ways to relax: They do have a fitness center, but I didn't see a Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage.
My Room: A Deep Dive
Alright, let's get nitpicky, because that’s what reviews are for, right? My room? It was fine. Not palatial, not a jail cell. Functional. Here's the lowdown:
- Air Conditioning: Blessedly icy. Seriously, the Louisiana humidity is no joke.
- Bed: Comfy enough. The "extra long bed" was a legit blessing.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Essential. My morning caffeine is non-negotiable.
- Internet: Fast and reliable I watched way too much Netflix.
- Safety: Well equipped. A safe and alarm clock.
- Overall: The room was clean and I found it comfortable.
The Staff: A Mixed Bag (Because Life)
The front desk folks were friendly enough. Some were super helpful, others… well, they seemed to be surviving the day. You know, the usual. But hey, everyone was professional.
The "Things to Do" (When You're Not in the Hotel)
Okay, let's be real. You're in New Orleans. You're not staying in your room. This is where the TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank falls a bit flat. You're not exactly in the thick of things. You'll need a car, a ride, or know some good taxi services.
- But, there is a car park (free of charge)
- There is a laundry service
- There is a meeting/banquet facilities, there is a business center
My Final Verdict (Because I Like to Get to the Point, Eventually!)
TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank? It's a solid, reliable choice. It's not luxurious, but it's clean, safe, and gets the job done.
Here's My Offer for You (And Why You Should Book Now!)
ESCAPE TO NEW ORLEANS! (And Actually Enjoy It)
Here's the Deal: Book your stay at the TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank through [Your Website/Booking Link] and get:
- A Seriously Comfortable Stay: Clean rooms, comfy beds, and that sweet, sweet AC.
- Free Wi-Fi: Because you deserve to share your NOLA adventures!
- Peace of Mind: With their heightened cleaning protocols you'll be ready to explore the city.
- The Perfect Base Camp: Harvey might not be the heart of the action, but it's close enough to jump into the fun!
Why Book It? Because New Orleans is calling, and you deserve a comfortable, stress-free base camp. Don't overthink it. Book. Pack your bags. Get ready for jazz, beignets, and an unforgettable adventure.
Escape to Morristown: Hampton Inn I-81 Comfort Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause you're about to embark on a real trip – my attempt to navigate the wilds of New Orleans, starting with a base camp at the TownePlace Suites New Orleans Harvey/West Bank. Let's be honest, "West Bank" doesn't exactly scream "voodoo and beignets," but hey, it's a launchpad, right? Plus, the price was right. And believe me, in this economy, "right" is enough to get my attention.
Day 1: Arrival, Regret (Maybe), and a Whole Lot of Plastic Wrap
1:00 PM - Arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): Oh, the humidity! I swear, the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt like I was wrapped in damp spaghetti. And the luggage carousel! It looked like it was doing the cha-cha. My suitcase, bless its tired little wheels, took a joyride around the baggage claim before finally coughing itself up. Thankfully the shuttle to the hotel, was, in fact, there.
2:00 PM - Check-in at TownePlace Suites: Okay, not fancy, but clean, which is a win in my book. The front desk lady, bless her heart, tried to sell me on a "premium" view. "Honey," I told her (because I'm apparently one of those now), "I'm just happy to be indoors where the air conditioning works." The suite itself, bless it’s generic heart, was perfectly serviceable. I immediately raided the kitchen for plastic wrap. Listen, I have a phobia of unfinished, opened food, so… yeah. Don’t judge.
3:00 PM - Attempt at "Orientation": I, armed with a crumpled map and a vague sense of direction, decided to venture outside. The "nearby" gas station, was surprisingly hard to find. I spent half an hour trying to figure out where the heck I was, and another half hour sweating, then, finally, finally I just bought a cheapo water bottle with a gas station store.
4:00 PM - Grocery Run: Right, sustenance. I'd need something to nibble on other than just the hotel's sad little breakfast pastries (more on that later). I found a big grocery store and I started buying EVERYTHING and anything.
6:00 PM - Dinner and the Great Netflix Void: Back at the hotel. My carefully-selected groceries? Devoured. My energy? Drained. Netflix, you magnificent beast, became my sole companion. The "New Orleans-themed" documentary I found? I'm pretty sure I fell asleep during the second line parade. Bad, bad, bad! And I’m now questioning my life choices.
Day 2: The French Quarter (Sort Of), and a Deep Dive into Decadence
8:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (or, More Likely, Mediocre Pastries): The hotel breakfast. The same sad croissants and what may or may not have been scrambled eggs of some sort. I did make a decent cup of coffee, though. Small victories. I ate fast, hoping to avoid eye contact with the other guests.
9:00 AM - Hit the Road (Literally): I bravely ventured out. I mean, I drove. The West Bank is not exactly a pedestrian paradise. The highway was scary. I had to find a way to the French Quarter. My GPS's directions were… questionable. It kept trying to send me to a "back alley" that looked suspiciously like a place you buy drugs, but finally got to the French Quarter!
10:00 AM - French Quarter Frenzy: Okay, now we're talking! Cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, the smell of something delicious that I couldn't quite identify (maybe fried dough, maybe magic…). I'm talking beignets, baby! This is where I really went for it. Imagine this: I found a tiny café, tucked away in a little alcove. Saw the other happy customers smiling, looking up. I went for it and ordered a plate, piled high. They were like little pillows of heaven. Dusted with powdered sugar, of course. Okay, and I practically inhaled them and made a complete mess all over the place. And I LIKED IT. Okay, I loved it. I ate, I laughed, I got sugar all over my new shirt and let’s be honest, I don't care. It was a moment. After this, I went to a shop, buying tons of stuff.
1:00 PM - Lost in the Maze: Okay, so I tried to be cultured and "wander." I wandered alright. I wandered for at least an hour, getting more lost and confused. I saw a voodoo shop, a fortune teller's parlor, and a guy playing a saxophone on a street corner with a bucket for tips. It was all so… much. I may have bought a cheap souvenir or two.
2:00 PM - Lunch Disaster (or Culinary Adventure?): I stumbled upon a little restaurant. I ordered the jambalaya, which, according to the menu, was "authentic." Well, it was something. It was spicy, sure. It was also… a little mysterious. I’m pretty sure I had a near-death experience the moment I got back to the hotel room.
3:00 PM - Nap Time (Post-Jambalaya Trauma): The jambalaya defeated me. A solid hour was spent sprawled out in my hotel room. Maybe I entered a food coma, maybe I'm just lazy.
6:00 PM - Sunset over… Something: I went out for a short walk, the sky was pretty.
8:00 PM - Dinner that was not jambalaya.. I made myself some chicken. And the world was good.
Day 3: Escape and a Deep Breath
9:00 AM: Leaving: Sadly, time to go. I'm pretty sure I didn't see everything, not by a long shot, but let's be honest, can anyone really "see" New Orleans in a few days?
10:00 AM - Goodbye, Beignets: Last, sad, bite.
12:00 PM - Homeward Bound: The shuttle (again! Thank the gods!) to… MSY. Farewell, humid embrace. Farewell, questionable jambalaya. Hello, whatever the heck I'm supposed to be doing with my life.
Quirky Reflections:
- The sheer number of things to see in the French Quarter is overwhelming. I’m talking, shops, street performers, and other tourists are insane. I liked it.
- The humidity is a living being. It wraps around you and refuses to let go.
- My attempts at "cultural immersion" quickly dissolved into a frantic search for air conditioning.
- I’m pretty sure my suitcase is still plotting its revenge.
Emotional Roundup:
I'm exhausted, a little bit grubby, and strangely happy. New Orleans is messy, chaotic, and completely intoxicating. It's a place where you can eat your weight in beignets, get lost in the backstreets, and feel like you're a part of something truly special. Would I come back? Absolutely. Would I stay in the West Bank again? Perhaps, but I will never forget this time.
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Escape to New Orleans: TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank Awaits! (Or, My Brain's Already in NOLA) - FAQ…ish
Okay, Let's Cut the Crap. Is This TownePlace Suites Actually *Good*? Real Talk, Please...
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to get real. Honestly? It’s a TownePlace Suites. Which, in hotel-speak, means... it *basically* delivers. Think of it as a solid, dependable friend. It won't wow you with dazzling personality (unless you REALLY like the concept of a kitchenette), but it's reliable. Think clean-ish. Think free breakfast (which, let's be honest, is a gamble anywhere).
My *personal* litmus test for a good hotel experience always comes down to two things: 1) Is the shower pressure strong enough to knock the cobwebs loose after a day of walking around in humid Louisiana? (Spoiler: Usually, yes. Sometimes, blessed yes.) and 2) Are the pillows fluffy enough to drown out the existential dread of being an adult? (This, sadly, is beyond the scope of *any* hotel's capabilities, but the ones at TownePlace Suites are...adequate.)
So, yeah. Good. Not life-changingly-fantastic. But definitely good enough to serve as a basecamp for your New Orleans adventures. And, hey, if you're *expecting* a Four Seasons, you're probably looking at the wrong website, honey.
West Bank?! Why the Heck Should I Stay *Across* the River?! Isn't That Like… the Suburbs of NOLA?
Alright, alright, I get it. When you think "New Orleans," you picture cobblestone streets, jazz wafting from every doorway, and a general aura of… well, debauchery (in the best way possible, naturally). The West Bank seems… far. And, yeah, it is a little further afield. It's like, a *short* drive, but, yes it a little bit further with a boat.
But here's the secret: It can be CHEAPER. And, frankly, sometimes, it's nice to retreat from the absolute *chaos* of the French Quarter. This is also closer to the airport so you'll save money by getting a cab over the water. Plus, the Harvey area has its own vibe that you'll enjoy. It's got more of a… *local* feel, you know? Not that touristy tourist trap feel. You can still get to all the good stuff, and you get to experience a little bit of the everyday life of New Orleans residents. It's also close to some killer restaurants and… gasp… *stores* that aren’t hawking beads and t-shirts that should have been retired in 1999.
Plus, consider this: traffic *can* be a beast getting *into* the city, so staying outside and near a highway is also a bonus. Just mentally prepare yourself for crossing the bridges on your way to the French Quarter by listening to some sweet jams. It'll be fine. It HAS to be fine, because as soon as you get there, you'll be screaming for some GUMBO.
Breakfast: Free or Freaking Depressing? The Truth, Dammit!
Okay, breakfast. The great hotel breakfast gamble. It's a risk, I tell you. You go in with high hopes… freshly baked waffles! Scrambled eggs that *don't* taste suspiciously like plastic! But then you're hit with… (sigh) the reality. Let's just say it's not winning any culinary awards, okay?
At TownePlace Suites, I'd say the breakfast is... *serviceable*. Cereal, fruit (the kind you can eat without fear), maybe some pre-cooked eggs and sausage. Waffles are a possibility! (Disclaimer: My waffle-related hopes have been crushed at other hotels. I just hope the waffle machine *works* if you get to it early.) Maybe, juuuust maybe, a bagel. And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Because you WILL need it to face the day after a night in New Orleans.
My advice? Lower expectations. Grab something that *won't* offend your taste buds and use it as a jumpstart. Then, go find some REAL New Orleans breakfast later. Because, trust me, you'll want beignets. You will NEED them.
Parking Situation? Because I’m Already Visualizing a Parking Nightmare.
Parking in New Orleans… Ugh. It's a thing. It’s a *stressful* thing. So, the good news? TownePlace Suites generally offers… well, parking. I *believe* it’s free. (Double-check this, because my memory is currently running on Bourbon-fueled fumes.)
The West Bank itself is generally a little less… *intense* when it comes to parking. It’s not like trying to find a spot in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras, which… let’s just say I have PTSD from that.
But seriously, before you get there, make sure to look up the current parking situation *specifically* at the hotel. Just to be safe. And maybe pack a stress ball. And maybe some spare cash for the parking garage, just in case. (Because even if the parking is free, the *anxiety* is probably not.)
Oh God, I'm Flying In! Is the Airport Close (and Easy to Get To)?
Okay, this is actually a *major* win for the West Bank location. Yes, the airport (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, MSY) is relatively close! Like, a shorter taxi/Uber ride than from many other hotels in the city. That's a HUGE bonus. Trust me, after a long flight, being able to collapse into a bed ASAP is a *blessing*.
The drive is generally straightforward. No crazy, traffic-choked routes through the city center. Which, again, is a godsend. You'll probably be able to get an Uber or Lyft pretty easily. Or, if you're a car-rental type, it's easy to get on the highway and... *boom*... you're there. Less travel time = more time for eating, drinking, and generally *experiencing* the magic of New Orleans. This is an excellent thing. One of the best things.
What's the Vibe? Is This a Family Place or a “Let's Get Wild” Kind of Spot?
TownePlace Suites generally leans towards the… slightly more sensible side. Meaning: Families are definitely welcome. You'll likely see people there with kids. You'll ALSO see folks looking for a place to rest their weary heads after a long day of… well, whatever New Orleans has to offer.
It's not a wild party scene (which, if you're looking for that, then go find the French Quarter RIGHT NOW, and get ready to party!), but it's also not a mausoleum of silence. Think of it asStarlight Inns
