New Orleans Jazz Fest Goers Can Expect to Pay Up to 215% for a Hotel Room, Survey Finds
April 24, 2012
Boogie and blues fans who are hoping to catch an in-person glimpse of Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles at this year's Jazz and Heritage Fest in New Orleans better be prepared for some hotel-room sticker shock. Accommodations in the Big Easy have substantially increased their rates on remaining available rooms for both the April 27–29 and May 3–6 weekends of the festival. That's the finding of a new survey conducted by CheapHotels.org.
The average percentage increase last-minute bookers can expect to pay on a New Orleans hotel room is 79% more than usual, according to the survey. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Many establishments are taking advantage of eleventh-hour Jazz Fest planners significantly more. Case in point is the O'Keefe Plaza Hotel. Percentage-wise, this accommodation that is located in the city's central business district is charging almost twice the average. A room that regularly books for $84 per night there has a current price tag of $210 throughout the Jazz and Heritage Fest weekends. That change in price equates to a 150% elevation.
In the heart of the downtown jazz action, however, the news is even tougher for bargain hunters to swallow. The Park St. Charles, which is situated on prime New Orleans real estate, for example, has shamelessly raised its rate 215% from $79 to $249 per night during the festival.
If a city center locale is a must, shopping around won't prove very productive for festival goers. In fact, if they haven't already made their bookings, they'll be unable to find any room for less than $239 the first weekend (April 27–29) of the Jazz and Heritage Fest. If they're willing to hold off until the second weekend (May 3–6), they'll save about $29, with the cheapest available room going for $210.
The French Quarter will be taking advantage of its historic allure as well. Jazz lovers who want to stay within its confines will pay close to $300 for the privilege over both festival weekends. Bargains can still be had, however, for those Jazz Fest goers who don't mind trekking in from the suburbs. A room near the Louis Armstrong International Airport can still be scored for about $100 a night.
The list that follows ranks the cheapest available hotels in central New Orleans for one of the Jazz and Heritage Fest's two weekends. Each establishment's rate for a double room is also included.
| Name of Hotel | Stars | Fest Rate | Regular Rate | Increase |
| O'Keefe Plaza Hotel | 2.0 | $210 | $84 | +150% |
| Best Western Saint Charles | 2.5 | $225 | $137 | +64% |
| Quality Inn & Suites | 2.5 | $229 | $96 | +138$ |
| Renaissance New Orleans | 4.0 | $239 | $159 | +50% |
| Queen & Crescent Hotel | 3.0 | $242 | $115 | +110% |
| Cotton Exchange Hotel | 2.0 | $249 | $132 | +88% |
| Park St. Charles | 2.5 | $249 | $79 | +215% |
| Hotel Modern New Orleans | 3.5 | $252 | $101 | +149% |
| Embassy Suites Hotel | 3.5 | $259 | $165 | +57% |
| Holiday Inn Superdome | 3.0 | $287 | $117 | +145% |
About the Methodology
The survey was conducted on April 23, 2012. Available hotels in New Orleans and their rates for a standard double room for the periods of the Jazz Festival (April 27–29 and May 3-6) were established based on a search of the various leading hotel-booking sites. For comparison purposes, the rates for the same rooms from June 15–17 were established and determined as “Regular Rates.”
