Any hotel suggestions - downtown NOLA
I think the Old No 77 Kind of fits the bill. I stayed there when it was something else and its interesting to say the least. If its the one I'm thinking of, they have connected several buildings and you are aware that you are stepping into another building because the hall has to step up (is this the one I'm thinking of?)
anyway there is a lot of good food right there. St James Cheese has some great sandwiches. Cochon and Butcher are right down the block and Fulton has a ton of lot of good eating. Burgers at Lucys or Barcadia. And the walk to the casino or into the FQ is perfect. You can even use the tunnel under Poydras from the Casino hotel to the actual casino for all of your crossing of Poydras.