Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans

Guests are greeted by a spacious, tall-ceilinged lobby where glass chandeliers and salon-style walls full of gilt-framed mirrors are paired with contemporary furniture in neutral gray hues and burgundy accents. Though the lobby decor imparts a grandiosity that the rest of the hotel doesn’t quite deliver, it nonetheless provides an elegant backdrop for a bout of lingering. The hotel attracts business travelers due to its downtown location in the business district, as well as families and travelers on extended stays.

The hotel is situated in the middle of downtown and the central business district on Poydras Street, a large six-lane road that runs from the Super Dome to the Convention Center. There are many business and corporate buildings in the immediate area and less shopping and dining options, though the French Quarter and the myriad of restaurants and bars lining Bourbon Street are about a 10 to 15-minute walk away. There's a bus stop serving several lines right outside of the hotel, and a street car stops a block away.

Spacious, comfortable suites feature an eclectic mix of furniture: gray couches, blue patterned armchairs, and traditional wooden furnishings are paired with chain-hotel staples like dark patterned carpets and pops of colorful modern art on the walls that enlivens the mostly neutral hues. All of the one- and two-bedroom suites have separate living rooms with pull-out sofa beds, as well as full kitchens equipped with full-size fridges, microwaves, dishwashers, two-burner stoves, and coffeemakers. All units also have flat-screen TVs with cable, work desks with ergonomic chairs, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are standard, with shower/tub combos and imitation-granite vanities; some have a separate sink area adjacent to the bedroom. Some of the units also have small private balconies.

The hotel offers a good array of features, including a heated indoor pool, a small fitness center with a handful of modern machines, and several meeting rooms as well as a large business center with computers, a printer, and a fax machine. A hot breakfast with a variety of options -- like eggs, waffles, and freshly baked muffins -- is included in the room rate, plus free coffee is available throughout the day in the lobby. There's no full restaurant, but the hotel offers a free evening social on certain days of the week. There's also a coin-operated laundry and a 24-hour convenience store selling basic snacks and toiletries.