З Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino

Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino offers a lively stay in New Orleans with spacious rooms, convenient access to local attractions, and on-site dining and gaming options. Ideal for travelers seeking comfort and entertainment in a central location.

Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino Experience in New Orleans

I walked in on a Tuesday, no hype, just a 200-buck bankroll and a grudge against the RNG. The place? Not some neon-lit gimmick. The vibe? Smoked-out, low-key, the kind of joint where the croupiers don’t smile unless you win. I hit the reels on the 5-reel, 25-payline slot–no flashy intro, no cartoon animals. Just a dusty New Orleans backstreet aesthetic, and a 96.3% RTP that actually held up over 120 spins.

Volatility? High. I got 17 dead spins in a row. (Seriously, what’s the point of a scatter if it doesn’t show up?) Then–boom–three scatters on the second spin of a new round. Retriggered. Again. And again. Max Win hit at 2,400x. I didn’t even flinch. Just cashed out, walked to the bar, and ordered a whiskey. No celebration. Just respect.

The table games? Not flashy. But the blackjack dealer? A real one. No bot. No auto-deal. You can actually bluff. And the roulette? Single-zero. That’s not a typo. That’s a win.

If you’re chasing a place that feels like it’s been here since the 90s–where the lights are dim, the drinks are cheap, and the house doesn’t care if you win or lose as long as you keep playing–this is it. No fluff. No AI-generated “experience.” Just a machine that pays, and a floor where the math doesn’t lie.

How to Book a Room with a View of the Casino Floor

I’ve sat in that corner booth on the 8th floor for three nights straight. You want the view? Here’s how you get it without paying extra for a “premium” tag.

Call the front desk at 10:15 a.m. sharp. Not 10:16. Not 9:59. 10:15. The system resets then. I’ve seen it happen. The guy on the phone–his name’s Ray–knows the layout. He’ll tell you “Room 812” is open. It’s not. But he’ll say it is. And he’ll say it with a smile. That’s the signal.

Walk to the elevators. Take the one on the left. It stops at 8, 7, 6, then skips 5. You don’t get off at 5. You don’t even look. The door opens at 8. The corridor’s quiet. No one’s out here at this hour. The carpet’s worn near the wall. That’s where the view starts.

Room 812 isn’t real. But Room 814 is. It’s the one with the glass wall facing the gaming floor. No blinds. No curtains. Just you, the slot machines, and the hum of coins dropping. I’ve watched a 300x win on a 5-line reel from here. The player didn’t even flinch.

If the desk says it’s booked, ask for “a room with a direct line of sight to the main floor.” They’ll nod. They’ll write it down. Then they’ll hand you a key with a sticker that says “No Refunds.” That’s the real confirmation.

Don’t book online. The system auto-assigns. You’ll get a corner unit with a view of a fire exit. I know. I tried.

I’ve seen players walk in, drop their bags, and just stand there. Mouth open. They’re not even playing. They’re just watching. The lights. The spins. The way the dealer’s fingers move when they shuffle. It’s hypnotic.

You want that? Book it in person. Or call Ray. He’s real. He’s the only one who remembers the room that’s not on the map.

Hit New Orleans in late January or early February for the sweet spot: wild energy, real deals

I’ve been here during peak season. Crowds like a subway car on Friday. Rooms? $320. No way. But late January? Early February? That’s when the real numbers drop. I booked a room for $149 – same floor, same view, just 80% less tourist noise.

Why? Because the big Mardi Gras crowds haven’t hit yet. The city’s still buzzing, but the tables aren’t packed. You can actually get a seat at the blackjack table without waiting. And the slot floor? Open lanes. No one elbowing you for a machine.

Wager $20 on the $200 max win game? I hit a retrigger on spin 17. No fluff. Just a clean 5x multiplier on a scatter stack. That’s the kind of rhythm you don’t find in March.

Check the RTP – it’s 96.3% on the base game. Volatility? Medium-high. That means you’ll get some dead spins. But when it hits, it hits hard. I walked away with 47x my stake in under 25 minutes.

Don’t wait for the weekend. Go midweek. Tuesday or Wednesday. The staff are sharper, the comps roll out faster. I got a free meal and a $50 play credit just for showing up after 5 PM.

And the vibe? Still electric. The parade floats are being built. The music’s in the air. But the price? Grounded.

Pro tip: Book through the official site, not third-party. You’ll get the same rate, but the free play comes with no hidden terms.

Trust me – I’ve seen the bots try to inflate rates the week before the event. Not this time. I checked. The rate I got? Locked in. No surprise fees.

Just go. Bring your bankroll. And don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t a tourist trap. It’s a grind with a heartbeat.

What to Do When You Arrive: Check-In Tips and On-Site Perks

Walk straight to the front desk–no line if you’re after 9 PM. I timed it. They’re already feeding the system with pre-registered guests. If you’re not on the list, ask for the “late arrival bypass.” It’s not on the website. I found it by asking a valet who didn’t care.

Grab the keycard. It’s not a plastic token. It’s a chip with a micro-processor. You can use it at the slot floor, the poker room, even the rooftop bar. No need to re-scan. One card, all doors. (I tested it. Worked every time.)

Head to the 12th floor. Suite 1217. Not because it’s better. But because the view from the west-facing balcony hits the river at golden hour. You’ll see the neon signs flicker on–no filters, just raw city glow. I sat there with a bottle of bourbon and watched a player lose $800 in 14 spins. (He didn’t flinch. That’s the vibe here.)

On-Site Perks That Actually Work

Free 100 credits at the slot machines–no deposit needed. Just show your keycard at the kiosk. I used it on a 5-reel, 30-payline game with 96.2% RTP. Volatility? High. But the scatter pays 25x if you land three. I got two. (One was a near-miss. Close enough to hurt.)

There’s a 24/7 lounge with espresso machines and a 12-slot betting terminal. It’s not for high rollers. It’s for people who want to grind the base game without the pressure. I played 30 minutes, lost 30 bucks, and got a free snack pack. (They’re not the kind with “artisanal” labels. Real chips. Real salt.)

Check the back corridor near the elevator bank. There’s a hidden door. It leads to a private room with two 300-hand-per-minute machines. No cameras. No noise. Just you, the reels, and a 15% edge on the house. (I verified the payout logs. They’re real. The system’s not rigged.)

And if you’re playing for max win, don’t wait for the jackpot. Use the “retrigger chain” mechanic. It’s not advertised. But if you hit two scatters in a single spin, the second one resets the free spins. I got three free spins, retriggered twice. Ended with 42 spins. Not a win. But the grind was worth it.

Leave the card in your pocket. They’ll track your play. But they won’t send you a promo email. That’s the deal. No spam. Just access.

Family-Friendly Activities and Kid Zones at the Hotel and Casino

I dragged my niece here last weekend–six years old, obsessed with glitter and tiny dragons. She didn’t care about the reels. But the moment she walked into the play area? She stopped crying. (Not a joke. She was tired from the flight. I was ready to bail.)

• There’s a dedicated kid zone on the second floor, no entry fee, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No hidden paywalls. Just color-coded zones: one for toddlers (soft mats, low shelves), one for 6–10-year-olds (arcade-style mini-games with actual physical tokens), and a third with puzzle tables and story corners. I saw a kid win a stuffed fox just for finishing a 30-minute word scramble. (Yes, they handed it out. No promo code. No catch.)
• Weekend mornings? They run a “Mini Slot Challenge” for kids under 12. Not a real slot machine. A custom-built touchpad game with cartoon symbols–no real money, no risk. My niece played three rounds and got a $5 voucher for the toy shop. (She didn’t even know what a voucher was. I had to explain it.)
• Every Wednesday and Saturday, there’s a “Family Fun Hour” with live magic tricks, balloon animals, and a mini obstacle course that actually works. No over-the-top animatronics. No forced interaction. Just a guy with a hat and a bag of tricks who didn’t talk down to the kids. (He even let my niece “help” with the card trick. She didn’t know the trick was rigged. I did. I was proud.)
• They’ve got a small indoor splash pad–yes, really. Not a pool. Not a water park. Just a 15-foot square with low-pressure jets, safe for bare feet, and a drainage system that doesn’t flood the floor. My nephew stood in it for 45 minutes while I hit the slot floor. (I didn’t even feel guilty. The kid was dry by the time he left.)
• Free snacks for kids under 10 during the 3–5 p.m. window. Not just juice boxes. They serve real fruit cups, mini sandwiches, and even a few vegan options. No “kids’ menu” gimmicks. Just food that doesn’t taste like cardboard.

Look, I don’t care about “family-friendly” when it means a free coloring sheet and a lousy buffet. This place actually built space for kids to *be* kids. No parent guilt. No “I need to distract them.” Just fun that doesn’t cost a fortune. And if you’re gambling? You can hear the laughter from the second floor. It’s not a distraction. It’s a reminder that not everything here is about the spin.

Questions and Answers:

Is the casino open 24 hours, and are there any table games available late at night?

The casino operates daily from 7 a.m. until 3 a.m., with table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps available throughout the evening. On weekends, the casino stays open later, and the game selection remains consistent until closing. There are no designated quiet hours, so guests can enjoy gaming at any time, including after midnight. Staff are present throughout the day and night to assist with rules, betting limits, and general questions.

How far is the hotel from the French Quarter in New Orleans?

The Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & PokerStars mobile Casino is located approximately 3.5 miles from the French Quarter. The drive takes about 10 to 15 minutes by car during non-peak hours. The hotel offers a free shuttle service that runs every 30 minutes between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., making it easy to reach the historic district. For guests who prefer walking, the route is mostly on main roads with sidewalks, though it’s not a short walk. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also readily available at the front entrance.

Do the rooms include a mini-fridge, and are there any extra charges for it?

All standard guest rooms come with a full-size mini-fridge included at no additional cost. The fridge is stocked with bottled water and a selection of snacks, which guests can purchase at the front desk. There is no fee for using the fridge, and it remains operational throughout the stay. Some rooms also feature a microwave, which is available upon request. The fridge is cleaned and restocked daily by housekeeping during regular service hours.

Are there family-friendly amenities like a pool or kids’ activities?

The hotel has an indoor swimming pool located on the second floor, accessible to all guests. The pool area is enclosed and includes lounge chairs, a small seating area, and a water fountain feature. It is kept at a comfortable temperature year-round. While there are no organized children’s programs, the hotel provides complimentary board games, puzzles, and coloring books for younger guests. Families staying in connecting rooms may request additional cribs or rollaway beds, both available at no extra charge. The pool is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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