Why do you want to stay Saturday night in Lafayette? It's only 2.5 hours (135 miles) from Lafayette to NOL.
Wouldn't you rather spend Saturday evening in the French Quarter?

We're driving from Austin. We will be in NoLa for 5 nights.

Understood. You don't want to drive 8 hours and arrive late in New Orleans. I take it you like Lafayette better than Lake Charles.

I stayed in the Fairfield there one time for work. It was ok and the duck gumbo at Prejeans was fabulous.

However, while there I drove over to Breaux Bridge and saw some sweet cabins on a bayou between lafayette and BB. That might be more fun than a chain interstate spot.

tomfuller - Have never been to Lake Charles or Lafayette, but a NoLa native recommended Lafayette for Prejeans. Honestly, I like a really good hotel, with price an important but secondary issue.

As a native Lafayettian, I can whole-heartedly recommend these options. They're also all located near to downtown Lafayette and right on the major connectors to I-10 (University Ave and Evangeline Pkwy).

Dining:

Johnston's Boucaniee (http://www.johnsonsboucaniere.com/) $$ for the best traditional Cajun in town. Smoked meats galore and kick-ass menu, but maybe not THE Saturday night destination.

Saint Street Inn (http://saintstreetinn.com/) $$ specializes in farm-fresh seasonal cuisine, and always has music or some kind of special event on a Saturday night.

Pamplona Tapas Bar (http://www.pamplonatapas.com/) $$$ one of the best restaurants in Lafayette with an endless menu of tapas and Spanish wine, but a touch pricy for a full meal.

Judice Inn (http://www.judiceinn.com/) $ a must for lovers of out-of-the way burger joints.


Accomodation:

Blue Moon Saloon & Guesthouse (http://www.bluemoonpresents.com/) $-$$. OK, so Saturday night might not be the night to stay at this hostel / B&B / music venue unless you're up for a night of the best music in Lafayette. The place is well-kept, offering some really beautiful rooms, and a crowd of fun music-lovers.

Buchannan Lofts (http://buchananlofts.com/) $$ the rooms at this locally-owned hotel are beautiful and comfortable beyond their price, and their proximity to the night life of downtown Lafayette and the interstate are right up your alley. Convenient to food and fun up and down Jefferson St.



Music on a Saturday (ahem, well you didn't ask for it, but here it is)

Blue Moon Saloon & Guesthouse (http://www.bluemoonpresents.com/) If you haven't been to the Blue Moon, well, that's on your head. But it's a fantastic music venue and bar, and is certainly Lafayette's best stop on a Saturday night.

Artmosphere (http://www.facebook.com/Artmosphere1) Local music dive with a good Saturday night lineup.

Acadiana Center for the Arts (http://acadianacenterforthearts.org/) Hosts some pretty spectacular national musicians in Jazz, Classical and traditional Louisiana music.


Good luck, and enjoy your stay in my home town!

Have only been to NO and that area 3 times. But, we really like Prejeans. Live band at night. Had breakfast there once too.
You might opt to stay at one of the B&B/Plantation Homes between Baton Rouge and NO. We liked staying at Nottoway. Dinner was good there, but breakfast was a big disappointment. Not at all like advertised.

My family is from Lafayette and Prejeans is at the top of their list.