For our first trip to New Orleans, I was undecided as to whether we should stay in or near the French Quarter or away from the "hustle and bustle" in one of the more residential areas. We finally decided the South Carrollton Avenue Neighborhood was a good choice--nice mixture of residential and commercial; easy access to St. Charles Avenue Streetcar and buses; great restaurants, cafes and bars; diverse architecture ranging from Colonial Revival to Shotgun style; and picturesque, ecclectic shops and live music venues on Oak Street. This led us to Carolee's listing "Fab Apt with Perfect Park Porch." It is that and more! Carolee responded promptly to our inquiry and immediately addressed our questions about the apartment--a quality of a good host. Prior to our visit, she sent us helpful information about the apartment, her contact information and nearby shops and restaurants, etc. Fortunately, we had no issues during our stay; however, it was reassuring to know that Carolee was within easy contact should we need to reach her. Once we arrived in NO, it was a quick cab ride from the airport ($33 flat rate for 2 people) to the apartment and easy access to the keys. Located on the second floor, we had no problem with the few stairs to reach the unit. The long-term tenants (beside and below) are friendly and quiet. My "must have" included lots of natural light and this apartment certainly fit the bill. The rooms were very spacious with comfortable furniture--including the bed. The kitchen has everything you need to prepare meals and Robert's Market (for all your grocery needs) is within a 5 minute walk. The bathroom (with tub and shower) has lots of hot water and fully stocked with plenty of bath towels, toiletries, hair dryer, etc. The wireless internet worked well in every room. The two most valued features of this home (besides the host) are: The front porch: There's nothing better in the South than sitting on the porch--a great place to relax after a long day of site seeing or just enjoying your morning coffee or evening glass of wine. Even if it rains, you can enjoy the great outdoors and fresh air. And, the porch overlooks the second most valued feature... Palmer Park: Located directly across from the apartment is a lovely park where you can sit on the porch and watch children play, family picnics, people walking their dogs. We were fortunate enough to be there the last Saturday of the month for the monthly Arts Market. Be sure to check it out! I would highly recommend Carolee's apartment if you are looking for a comfortable, spacious retreat from the hustle and bustle of the "downtown core" in a diverse and vibrant neighborhood with a sense of community. Carolee, thank you for the opportunity to stay in your lovely apartment and I'm only sorry we didn't get the chance to meet in person.
Lynn and Greg