Fresh off the boat from my recent trip to New Orleans, I’m really quite adamant about revisiting this wonderful, rad and culturally rich city. And fun. You can just feel the party in the air. And it’s contagious. As a traveler, I felt like visiting was helping in some small way to rebuild the city. Tourist dollars help the businesses there continue to operate and allow employees to keep living in the city. On top of that, and I am sure anyone who sees the remains of the destruction down there would agree, the trauma this city and its citizens have seen is just too great for the rest of us to forget. And now back to the fluff. Another plus for folks feeling the sting of colder days: it’s balmy and warm down on the Bayou this time of year. One last romp for the flops and tank tops.

Bookit.com is featuring an awesome deal this week for the Queen & Crescent Hotel in the downtown central business district, which is about three blocks from the beginning of the French Quarter madness. Close enough to walk to it, but far enough away that you’re not going to get beads slung around your neck the moment you step foot out the front door.

Through Dec.2 28, 2006 (excludes Halloween and Nov. 9-11), the hotel is offering $89/night rates for Fri-Sat, $69/night rates Sun-Thu. Stay three nights or more, and the hotel will slash the room rate to $59/night. Every fifth night is free, and valet parking is $10/day through Nov. 30 and free in Dec.

Having a car in New Orleans is a must if you want to visit other parts of the city like the Garden District, 9th Ward or even venture into nearby Mississippi for the day.

Bookit.com Queen & Crescent Hotel Deal