Three Best Hotels in Shreveport

If business or pleasure brings you to the city of Shreveport, Louisiana on the banks of the Red River, you'll find a variety of lodging choices. Because of the casionos that have been built on both sides of the river in recent years, many visitors think that staying in one of the casino hotels is best. It's not. I visit Shreveport several times each year to visit family and friends so I've stayed in many of the available hotels. That's why I can provide some real insight into the best hotels and offer some suggestions about where to stay.

Downtown Shreveport - ,SpringTexas, Fannin, and Travis Streets and along the route of 71 highway - is central to many things. If you do want to gamble while you're in town, downtown is near all the major casinos on the Shreveport side of the river. Downtown is also home to many different businesses as well as the new Louisiana Riverwalk. The Sci-Port Discovery Center is nearby. So is the Ark-La-Tex Antique and Classic Vehicle Museum and the Barnwell Memorial Gardens. If staying in the downtown area is for you, then the choice is simple: The Holiday Inn Downtown. Located just off Spring Street at 102 Lake Street and across from the Shreveport Times newspaper office, this is a fine hotel at moderate price. More information or reservations can be found by calling 318-221-5951

The multi-storied hotel has the ammenities you would expect in a Holiday Inn. Rooms are large and comfortable. There is a restaurant on site along with a lounge. There is even a small area for video gambling. There is also a small outdoor pool and the hotel runs a shuttle to the major casinos often. Room service is available. Depending on which side of the hotel your room is on, you will either have a fantastic view looking out over the Red River or a view of downtown Shreveport. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Another downtown hotel option is the Best Western Chauteau Suites hotel at 201 Lake Street., phone 318-424-2014. It is located catty corner from the Holiday Inn Downtown and is more upscale. The price is a little more, rooms a little more plush, and service more attentive. For the difference in price, I prefer the Holiday Inn Downtown because they offer almost as much but for less. If you happen to belong to AAA, you can get a better rate if you book the Holiday Inn Downtown in advance. Be sure to mention that you want the Downtown Holiday Inn because there are a total of three Holiday Inns in Shreveport! The other two - Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Financial Plaza - are both out near the airport. The Holiday Inn Express can be found at 5101 Westwood Park Drive, phone 381631-2800 and the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza is at 5555 Financial Plaza, phone 318-687-4462.

Now if you want to stay near the airport, you'll find a cluster of hotels outside the airport gate. Although I have no doubt that these hotels would be adequate enough and perhaps even outstanding, I have not stayed in any of these so I won't reccommned a place that I have not myself spent the night at. If I want to stay on the far western edge of Shreveport, near the airport, my choice is the Jameson Inn. It is located just off I-20 (the interstate that runs west toward Dallas) on the very edge of Shreveport. on the frontage road at 6715 Raspberry Lane. It is located near many other businesses - a Wal-Mart Super Center, an IHOP restaurant, and much more.

The Jameson Inn is very nice. It has three floors, interior hallways (which I like), and an outdoor pool. There is also an excercise room. Rooms are very well decorated and the beds are comfortable. Rates are less than either of the two downtown hotels I mentioned but the location may not be as convenient. For reservations, call 318-671-0732. It depends on where you want or need to go in Shreveport. There is not a restaurant on site in the Jameson Inn but it's not a problem because of the nearby IHOP and other restaurants. There are some fast food outlets in the vicinity too.

If you plan to visit Shreveport for any reason, I would suggest any of these three hotels.