My family and I stayed here during Essence Festival 2011. While, it is in a fairly decent location (along the streetcar line)—the practices of the hotel are a bit questionable. You have to pay a nightly fee for parking... But the lot is pretty much open to whom-ever. When this was complained about we were directed to another lot—where—our vehicle was locked behind the gates after a certain hour. VERY inconvenient. An added plus is: there are fast food places within walking distance if you're in a rush, however, the layout of the hotel is slightly confusing. I understand it is modeled to be reminiscent of old-time New Orleans, but things like safes, and door locks need to be updated. Housekeeping kept trying to come and clean our room despite the do not disturb sign, and I believe it may have been because she did not speak English. Our room was supposed to include a microwave, we had to call to the front desk to get one delivered, which took hours (apparently they'd forgotten).
Also, shortly after leaving the hotel I noticed my belongings had been compromised, and several items were missing. The staff person would have had to search deep into my bags for the specific items missing; as they were not just laying on top. I contacted Choice Hotels—who in turn put me in direct contact with the hotel. The "guest services manager", Valerie, took it upon herself to try to handle the issue instead of passing it to the GM, Bryan Stokes. Valerie lied over and over on the phone to me. Stating at one point, she was going to talk to head of housekeeping once she returned from vacation, but Valerie never called me back.
I notified the local police dept. (NOPD) of suspicious dealings at the hotel, but never heard back from them either. I filed a claim against the hotel with the Better Business Bureau, and guess who was responsible for responding to my complaint? Good ole Valerie! Who stated she was attaching logs of when the housekeepers entered my room... But then... NEVER produced any such evidence. I kept denying the hotel's response to my BBB claim since they never would provide documentation of the dates and times housekeeping entered; this probably because they were supposed to never have entered. I only allowed housekeeping to clean or deliver extra items when I was physically present. My thoughts are: my items were taken during a time we would have been attending the concerts. If you're from New Orleans, or ever been during the 4th of July weekend; you know it can be very busy and visitors often stay out from evening until morning. Front desk was banking on our not being in the room for several consecutive hours (because they asked if we were there for the Essence when we checked in). Thus, knowing their safe didn't work... They "went to work".
What a nightmare ending to a WONDERFUL trip! This hotel is not to be trusted in any way shape or form. A lady staying on the property in another cottage reported that she returned from the concert in the evening and her room door was unlocked and ajar! Maison St. Charles poses such a security risk for women travelers—despite the fact that the hotel has a 'security guard' on duty—so save your money or opt to spend it somewhere you won't be robbed!
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