To start I highly recommend not staying on or around Canal Street. Most of the large hotels and deals that you will find will be in that area, however, the street lacks soul and culture and when you walk out the front door, a plastic tourist trap is not what you are looking for.
Airbnb is probably the best way to stay in new orleans. Much of the flavor of the city is on the side-streets and scattered in beautiful neighborhoods so this is where you will also want to be.
If you can try to stay in the Marigny or Bywater, on the far-end of the quarter (close to esplanade) or uptown or in the upper or lower garden district.
