Carnival season in New Orleans officially kicked off on Sunday. And as of today, Mardi Gras 2008 is officially 28 days away. If you’re planning to hit the Big Easy for all the fun leading up to Feb. 5th, now’s the time to lock in hotel reservations. We’ve done some checking around to find the best hotels for different tastes and budgets. Note that many require full payment upfront for stays the weekend prior to Mardi Gras.

Where to stay for Mardi Gras 2008 if you want…

Bourbon Street Accommodations

It ain’t cheap, but the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans is one of the best options for revelers who want to be right in the middle of the French Quarter action and want a moderately upscale place to rest their heads at night (hint, bring some earplugs…staying here means lodging in the part of the city that never sleeps). Double and King rooms are still available for the weekend prior to Mardi Gras. When we checked, rates were $339/night.

A Taste of the Traditional

For lodging that features a dose of classic New Orleans, Hotel Monteleone is hard to beat. The hotel offers many of the amenities you’d find at a similarly-priced chain (fitness center, rooftop pool, on site dining), but ups the ante with rooms outfitted in grand window treatments, ornamental moldings, prim sitting areas and marble bathrooms. Spa junkies can escape the rabble rousers in the French Quarter with a trip to Spa Aria, which offers luxe treatments like the signature Caviar Facial. Ready to splurge? Try one of the decadent suites, named after Southern literary heroes like Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Eudora Welty. When we checked rates for the weekend before Mardi Gras, we found a variety of guest rooms and suites available with rates starting at $279/night.

A Party Pad

With nightly rates for the weekend starting at $129 and a location near the French Quarter, the Baronne Plaza Hotel is our pick for budget-minded travelers who care more about having a convenient home base than top-notch service, flashy interiors or high-end amenities.

A Full-Service, Business-Class Hotel

Even if you’re hitting N’awlins mainly to party, you may still want all the creature comforts of a business-class hotel. Bed down at either the The Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel or the JW Marriott New Orleans Hotel, and you won’t be disappointed. Both hotels are located a few blocks from the action, but the real draw to these picks is knowing your room will be comfortable, clean, attractive (good design, marble bathrooms) and that amenities like high-speed Internet, room service, fitness facilities and concierge assistance are there when you need ‘em. When we checked, available Double and King rooms for the weekend were $279/night at both hotels. Note: you’ll have to prepay in full for accommodations during Mardi Gras weekend.

Jetsetter Digs

For travelers who put aesthetics on par with practicalities like location and amenities, the W Hotel New Orleans is the way to go. With touches like the outdoor courtyard area, pictured here, plush in-room furnishings, private poolside cabanas and sleek interiors befitting urban sophisticates, this destination won’t disappoint those willing to pay for looks. A recent check showed rooms for the weekend before Mardi Gras starting at $339/night.