Crescent Palms Motel

An event in town limited our choices for a 3 night hotel stay before our cruise. We did not want to pay the elevated prices for our stay. The price at Crescent Palms was reasonable. We were initially concerned about the safeness of the area… but It turned out to be unfounded. Rooms were clean, had everything we needed, including a refrigerator, microwave, good tv channel selection, an iron and board (no blow dryer … But I had my own), and the beds were comfortable. What we enjoyed the most was the staff/​management… Friendly, helpful, and accommodating … Kendal and Yvette were super! I would recommend staying here when on a limited budget.

A few of my girlfriends and I took a trip to New Orleans on a living stipend budget and we found this place and at first we were sketched out by the location because it was in area of section 8 housing… But … Once we pulled up and met Kendall (the manager?) it felt like we were staying at a family friend’s place! He was so nice, accommodating and welcoming! He told us he doesn’t do local business and most of the guests were from out of town. Totally true because the parking lot had cars with license plates from all over the country!
The location is actually perfect too! It’s about a 10 minute walk to the street car that takes you right down to bourbon st!
The room itself was really nice and spacious, our room had a mini fridge and microwave which came in handy for some late night pizza rolls.
I would definitely come back and stay here again!

We stayed here one night, and we slept really well! From the outside it looks really bad, and we wondered what we had gotten ourselves into! However, rooms were clean and comfortable, wifi connection fantastic and the owner was really nice! Many parking spots, would stay again!

I can see why this motel gets such good ratings. Out of all of my motel experiences, this is the only place where it was reasonably quiet, safe, and friendly staff. The floors were not scummy, they had microwaves and refrigerators, and you didn’t have to walk too far to the car to load/​unload. I was happy to see NO BEDBUGS or traces of bedbugs. I stripped the sheets and used my own so I cant really say if their sheets are grimy. Their wifi is a bit patchy but decent none the less.
This motel is located in a sketchy looking area. Don’t be alarmed, but don’t be stupid. I had no problems with the area, even when I was walking down the street to get some fresh air. But some people may be turned off to dilapidated buildings (due to Hurricane Katrina).
For anyone doing Mardi Gras close to Uptown, your best bet is to walk or drive a little down MLK. If you walk from the hotel to St Charles, its 30 minutes. To get to Canal St its 50 minutes.

As a lot of the other reviews would tell you: this is in a really dodgy area, but the motel itself is great.
The rooms were nice and clean. Apart from the sketchy area, it has a nice central location, fairly close to the French Quarter, etc. The staff were super friendly and helpful. Always keen to assist us. They even offered us an extra free night at the end of our stay. Nice amount of safe parking inside.

My husband and I were in NOLA for 3 days of Voodoo fest. This gets five stars because we wanted a place to sleep that was not super expensive. We had read all the reviews and they were all accurate. Staff is FANTASTIC and the place is very clean. While the area around is not an area to hang around, there is a nice coffee/​breakfast place, a lunch place and a cajun place about 4 – 5 blocks that are all very good and doing a VERY brisk business. We will stay here again– for sure! The bus line 94 takes you to the trolley and you have access to everything. Do NOT be afraid of the area!!! It is a non issue.

Great motel with clean rooms and very helpful front desk. The area seems a bit sketchy, and is located a short drive from downtown and the French Quarter. Nice parking with a gate that is locked at night.

I used to live in New Orleans and although I know this isn’t the best area, this hotel was safe and such a great find. Its very quick and easy to drive to the French Quarter or for taking a cab. The rooms were big, very clean. We were able to park right in front of our door, off the street. Its one of the few affordable hotels that accepts pets too. Our other option was a LaQuinta in Gretna on the Westbank but that was actually $ 15 more. The management was of course the nicest and very accomodating. We could hear our neighbors TV on all night but besides that it was very quiet. If you don’t want to spend a lot while visiting New Orleans this is a great and safe place to stay.

My husband and I and our 3 friends stayed at the Crescent Palms last Christmas. I can’t speak highly enough of the place, especially the staff. Managers Kendall and John were amazingly sweet and helpful. They went out of their way to help us in many occasions — even when we were stranded without a rental car and no more reserved nights on new years eve, they found us a room and a car!
The area gets a really bad rep, but we never felt unsafe, and its nice to be away from all the tourists and stay at a place with real character. We took the bus and the tram into town and never had a problem.
The room was clean, warm in the chilly winter nights, showers worked perfectly, and there was always plenty of clean linen. The bar was cozy, and Kendall and John would come hang out with us on their break. Very very nice people. We missed them after we left! I will go back to New Orleans, and I will stay at the Palms again!
I highly recommend the place: comfortable, great atmosphere, and affordable. By the other reviews that I see on this site, it looks like I’m not the only one who felt that way: when you are treated so well by such lovely people, it shows. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Sara, Juan, Josafat, Ana & Vanessa

Well I’ve stayed here three times and I like it. Not the swankiest neighborhood, by any means, but the rooms are quite comfortable, if chilly when it’s 28 °F outside, and I’ve never once found a bug in there (and I ALWAYS check both beds, ripping up the blankets, sheets, looking in the pillows the minute I get in the room). I really like the showers, the water has always been hot (HUGE plus). Has wifi, although it’s been patchy and unreliable. Two of my three stays have been perfectly quiet, the last one there were some seriously noisy people upstairs, but it happens. I like that there’s an enclosed sort of space for parking, and even though the gate isn’t kept closed, your car IS off the street so it’s harder for random passerby to hit it. Has a decent flatscreen in the rooms I’ve been in, if that sort of thing is important to you. All in all, I feel comfortable staying here, and recommending it.

Poor location with not much within walking distance, but staff and owner go above and beyond.

The Palms was what we needed… It’s very clean with a secure parking area. The Palms looks like a new motel in a not so decent neighborhood. You can be in the French Quarter in 15 mins with no problems. We had no problems with our stay nor any problems with the area. The service was great and very helpful. The only cons was the beds weren’t very comfortable and they didn’t have wifi. But, after changing to the spare bed it was a lot better. During our stay it was very quiet. We would stay here again.

The neighborhood isn’t ideal but the place had all I needed. I could park my car for free. The gates make you feel secure. It’s a 15 dollar cab ride to/​from Bourbon street. You can even hop on a bus and then take a streetcar to bourbon if you’ve got some time to kill.

The only reason I docked a star was for the location. This hotel is definitely not in the best area, nor is it within walking distance to the french quarter, but man, otherwise this place is totally legit. Very cute place, with clean rooms and friendly staff. Not to mention the nice deck seating (good for stargazing?). Their prices are decent. Definitely recommended.

I should have written this review back in April, but this song on this fleeting warm summer’s day brought it all back to me.
G.K… «Mmmmmmm L.A., proved too much for the man»
The Pips. {too much for the man, he couldn’t make it}“
Mother Katrina has changed the French Quarter

G.K…“So he’s leavin’ the life he’s come to know owww owww”,
You see gone are the days when a room at the fabulous French Market Inn located in the French Quarter could be had for 39 dollars a night.
The Pips. {he said he’s going}
G.K…“He said he’s goin’ back to find“
The Pips…{going back to find}
G.K… «Oowh, Owhh ohh what’s left of his world. The world he left behind, Not so loooong agoooo»
Enter The Crescent Palms Motel. See, back in the dark days of Jim Crow segregation Black people and even popular Black musicians preforming in New Orleans couldn’t sleep in hotels in there.
G.K… «He’s leaving,»
The Pips. {leaving}
So up until the late 1960’s, The Crescent Palms Motel was one of the few places Black folks could stay in all of Louisiana.
G.K…“On that Midnight Train to Georgia“
The Pips…{leaving on the Midnight Train}
G.K…“ummm Yea“
So this Black owned establishment became a blessed oasis for Black people from all walks of life. From the truckers and weary families traveling cross country. The all came here and got to stay at this motel and rub elbows with stars such as Mary Wells, The Drifters, the Marvelettes and Martha, the Vandellas and Gladis Knight and the Pips
G.K… «Said he’s going back»
The Pips… {going back to find}
G.K… «To a simpler place in time»
The Pips… {when he takes that ride}
G.K… «Oh yes he is»
Pips {guess who’s gonna be right by his side?}
And frankly, to those of you who ever really traveled or live in a real city, you will know that the neighborhood of The Crescent Palms is pretty safe
G.K…“And I’lllllllllllllll be with him“
The Pips… {I know you will}
We walked arm and arm every day to Gloria’s for lunch and then to the French Quarter.
G.K…“On that midnight train to Georgia“
The Pips…{leaving on the might night train woo wooooooo!!!}
And after a day of exploring, the in’s and out’s, glamour, old dank corners and crevices of the French Quarter, explored various neighbors hoods that in the near future beckon, we walked back to Saint Charles Avenue and had a few drinks in the night before catching a cab (three dollars) for the five minute ride back to The Crescent Palms. If Kendall, the manager was around he’d open up the tiny no frills bar and we’d take two beers up to the deck and the warm air would make us feel as if
we were back in the days
G.K…“Said he’s going back to find
The Pips… { going back to find}
G.K…“Ohhh a simpler place in time“
The Pips…{When he takes that ride, guess who’s gonna be right by his side}
of yesteryear, and the young Gladis Night and the Pips were at the next table over laughing and relaxing at the end of a sold out concert tour.
The funny thing was, that when we walked back to our room to sleep, because we were not in the French Quarter the night was extremely quite, but sometimes I’d wake to faint old soul music, that I would then no longer hear. Was it a dream? I don’t know? See, that’s the thing about New Orleans, sometimes the line between worlds get blurred, especially at places like The Crescent Palms that have especially unique, long, personal, and emotional histories and connections.
G.K…“I’d rather live in his world“
The Pips… {live in his world}
G.K… «Than live with out him, in mine»
The Pips…{ her world is his world, hers and his alone}
G.K… «Our world»
So yes friends and neighbors if you’re looking for a true New Orleans experience, and know that the best place for this, are those where you don’t have to do, like the musician in Gladis Knight’s song «Midnight Train to Georgia», who «pawned all his hopes and even sold his old car», then check out The Crescent Palms. And ask for Kendal, who actually gave us a ride to the French Quarter at 11:00pm on the first night we arrived, he’s got that down home New Orleans hospitality and he knows every thing, especially if you’re looking to move there.
The Pips… {For love}
G.K… «For love, gone board»
The Pips… «Gotta board!
G.K… I gotta go, I gotta go yeah»,
The Pips… {Gotta board}
G.K…“The midnight train to love”

Crescent Palms Motel is decked in 60’s flairs and courtyard and color schemes that remind me of an episode of «Mad Men,» when Don took Megan on the road to see the Fall and stopped by a new hotel. The courtyard which is now turned into guests parking spaces behind a locked gate for security.
This seemly unimpressive little motel is probably not anyone’s first lodging choice, honest to say it certainly wasn’t my first; but after a long Jazz Fest weekend I’m convinced by this quaint stay.
The hospitality here was great from the guy and gals behind the counter in the office, and they were also the one that take care all your accommodations: fresh towels everyday, turndown services on request, they’ll even remind you if you left your cars headlights on. Like I said, top notch service.
P. S. It is kinda located in a little unsavory side of the town; you can still see the damage from Katrina and the rebuilding effort, sometimes literally right across the street from one another (e.g. MLK blvd) and one of the night as we left the motel to head downtown we actually drove past a drug bust right around the corner.

My boyfriend and I stayed here for 6 nights while deciding whether or not to relocate to New Orleans (answer, a resounding yes!).
Our cabdriver, who resembled the Old Witch from the «Haunt of Fear» and had perhaps 3 teeth if I were to be generous, crossed herself at least 20 times between the airport and the Crescent Palms and did her darnedest to scare us off from the neighborhood (nor was she the last cabdriver to do so). Needless to say, we were not deterred.
The motel has a storied past, and I could feel the spirits of the Marvelettes and the Drifters roaming around the rooftop deck as we enjoyed an evening beer. The recent remodelling job is superb, preserving the original architecture (and fantastic neon sign) and retrofitting the rest with formica countertops and cool 60s tile.
The rooms are well stocked and spotless and otherwise fairly no frills– you’re there to see New Orleans, right? It was generally very quiet at night, which was a welcome respite after some long, raucous days.
Gloria’s, an excellent soul food restaurant, is only three blocks away, and the bars and restaurants along St. Charles are about a 15 minutes’ walk. Kendall, the manager, is super friendly and helpful.
If you are looking for a «boutique» hotel with a «charming» coffee shop across the street, then the Crescent Palms is probably not for you. Personally, I will take character, integrity and very affordable rates any day of the week. We enjoyed the Crescent Palms immensely and highly recommend it.

In town for the Saints playoff game on a Saturday. LSU/​Alabama national championship game was on Monday so pretty much every hotel in town was booked. Stumbled upon this gem and stayed here for one night. Neighborhood is sketchy, but the Crescent is very close to the dome for a cheap cab ride. Security gate closes at night so there was no need to worry about your car. Room was clean and stocked with everything, including a fridge. Don’t take your wife here on the honeymoon, but great place to stay for the night. Excellent bang for your buck. Recommended.

This falls under the adage of «Don’t judge a book by it’s cover… or by the other books that surround it» — I obviously made that second part up, but it applies here.
Based on the motel’s surroundings, your initial leaning isn’t one that brings up positive thoughts (but I guess that depends on what you’re conditioned to.)
However, my media-​infected brain couldn’t be more wrong.
The lady at reception was friendly and positive, the parking was not only free but behind a security gate, the rooms were surprisingly nicer (and more spacious) than their comparable hotel brethren, there were no problems with the free wireless (there’s always problems with hotel internet), and the price is more than reasonable.
Given, you’re not walking to Bourbon Street from Crescent Palms, but if you’ve access to a car, can reconcile the surroundings, and looking for a place to stay for 100−300% less than the hotels ~3 miles away — then I would recommend the Crescent Palms Motel.

This great little find met our needs and then some! I was a little apprehensive about the neighborhood, but I was made to feel very safe and secure once I arrived. Vanessa, the motel’s manager, runs a very tight ship but always took the time to make us feel like we were family in her home. The motel rooms were very spacious, spotlessly clean and fresh smelling. The little bar was a nice spot for an icy cold beer (only $ 2!) and some new friends to while away the time. Less than 3 miles from the French Quarter and close to all the restaurants and nightspots in Mid-​City, this motel offers big bang for your buck.