I am looking for personal recommendations of guesthouses in the French
Quarter in New Orleans.  Ideally, I want a private guesthouse, but I
would consider a very small hotel (ie not a chain like Holiday Inn). 
I need a double room for a couple, preferably ensuite, for the nights
of August 14-24 inclusive.  I'd like to find a place that is friendly
and not too expensive.  Ideally, they should be contactable by email,
as I am in the UK, but a telephone contact number will also be
acceptable.

Please do not simply refer me to lists of accommodation on web sites. 
I have already found a number of these and I will reject any answer
that limits itself to such information.  I want to hear of places
where you or people you know have stayed and been happy.  Obviously
though, if the guesthouse(s) you wish to recommend are on the web, the
URLs will be useful.

Last evening I was having dinner with some friends from California who
happened to have visited New Orleans recently and stayed at Marigny
Manor House on Rampart Street in New Orleans and were very pleased
with the accomodations and the innkeepers.

Information about this guesthouse can be found at
     http://www.marignymanorhouse.com/

It appears that their summer rate is $79 per night.  

I hope you have a great stay in New Orleans.  Be sure to stay out all
night on Bourbon Street and great the rising sun with beignets at the
Cafe du Monde or at the Morning Call.  Try dancing to the wonderful
sound of zydeco music and don't lose too much money at the casino. 
Enjoy!!  Give us a report when you get back...

seedy

Hi seedy-ga, OK, it's not quite in French Quarter, but within walkable
distance, and the description of the house as well as knowing it comes
recommended compensates for that.  The four-posters are worth 5 stars
by themselves!!! :)  My booking was confirmed within a couple of hours
of an enquiry message being sent, which adds to the confidence I feel
about this place. I certainly will indulge in beignets at dawn and try
to find all the haunts I found on my only previous visit 12 years ago,
but I think dancing might get a miss - they speak of mad dogs and
Englishmen, but this Brit knows what she is facing in August heat out
there (this is a holiday attached on after a conference, so I had no
choice on dates)!!!  Thank you.

I stayed at, and was very impressed by, the Ambassador Hotel in N.O.
It is in the warehouse district, and you can walk to almost every
sight in town. I checked in, had the vallet park my car, and didn't
see my car again until I checked out the following week. The rooms are
very nice (although a little small...), with hardwood floors, however
the bathrooms are large, with a large bathtub (which is always nice
;)..). I felt safe (even walking home at 4:00am), and it was very
clean. For 1 week in Sept. it is around $870 US, but I am sure that
changes with the season. And personally I liked staying a few blocks
away from the French Q. because it offered a little peace, where you
could get away from the noise, and the street that the ambassador is
on is not busy at all.
http://clients.neworleans.com/ambassador/

Although you are looking for personal recommendations, I would offer
this URL for Bed and Breakfasts in New Orleans.  It will give you the
opportunity to compare pricing and location when a proper answer is
given.

   http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/search/area.aspx?NodeID=92174

Thank you for googling with us....

search strategy...went to www.bedandbreakfast.com which I have used to
book travel in the past....

seedy

Some feedback, should anyone come across this question while searching
the Google Answers database: Marigny Manor is the best guesthouse I
have ever experienced and it exceeded all expectations.  The house is
beautiful, and John, our host, went out of his way to make us feel
welcome. In addition, Faubourg Marigny is like the French Quarter used
to be in better days, with lots of small restaurants and clubs, and a
really laid back atmosphere.  When exploring Frenchmen St, beware the
$2 Wednesday special margaritas at the Spotted Cat - more than two
could be lethal!  Beer lovers will love the huge selection at dba (I
even found Sammiclaus and E.K.U).  Classic Creole cooking is within
easy reach, but also Mexican, Japanese, West Indian, Lebanese, Italian
and Thai.  Loretta on Rampart makes superb macaroons, as well as the
best pralines in New Orleans.  All in all, I could not have asked for
more!