7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good & Useful, but my first choice is Frommer's 2002, January 29, 2002
This review is from: Fodor's New Orleans 2002: The Guide for All Budgets, Updated Every Year, with a Pullout Map and Color Photos (Fodor's Gold Guides) (Paperback)
Fodor states, "No American city places such a premium on pleasure," and after just returning from a raucous, frivolous long weekend, I can hardily say AMEN!
Although "Fodor's 2002 New Orleans" is not the best of the two guide books that I took with me (read my review on my first choice: Frommer's New Orleans), Fodor's is a good, solid guide.
The "Nightlife" section in this guide is excellent, and when you see a one star, "Fodor's Choices," in this section, they are worth looking for and experiencing.
Another strength of this guide, which can be very beneficial when you plan your trips, are the Internet web site addresses provided with almost every hotel. With these you can visit the hotel site and see the accommodations and rate prior to making reservations. Fodor's has a very good section at the back of the guide that lists recommended books to read and music to listen to "before you go." And, unlike Frommer's, Fodor's has a great list of videos (films set in N.O.) to watch.
However there are two significant areas in this guide that could use improvement: maps and hotels/restaurants.
Regarding the maps: the guide needs more, better maps; maps that use color.
The biggest criticism is regarding the hotel/restaurants recommendations. For some reason the Fodor's does not differentiate quality via symbols for either restaurants or hotels. The only rating system that they use is the "Fodor's Choice"; a single star next to the listing. Thus, the elegant Ritz Carlton and utilitarian Quality Inn, which are both listed in the guide, have no symbolic differentiation - except their $$$$$ cost. The same is true regarding the restaurants.
The recommended accommodations and dining recommendations are, for the most part, generally accurate and up to date. However, my experience at listed and recommended, Sheraton Hotel was woefully inadequate. This hotel does not warrant the listing that Fodor's gave it. It especially does not merit their comment, "expect top quality service." NOT.
At the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, I had prepaid reservations for a nonsmoking room that WAS NOT honored. I was given a handicap with a shower where the water fluctuated between scalding hot and cold. The bath towels were both dingy and cheap and the front desk employees were indifferent and callous. Then, upon check out, I found a surprising $13 "per day" charge for the fitness club that I used once. The Fodor's guide highlights the hotel fitness club, but has no mention of the surcharge. Fodor's missed it big time with this hotel. They need to reevaluate their recommendation and listing.
Though my first choice is Frommer's, this guide is still usefully. It is easy to use, relatively reliable for sights and nightlife and has some significant strong points. Recommended.
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