The air is warm and balmy as I emerge from my taxi and onto the streets of the Garden District in New Orleans. It’s just past dusk and Hotel Saint Vincent is standing before me, a beautiful backdrop against the night sky, where soft orange lights from inside are puddling on the floor and shards of moonlight are reflecting off of wrought iron railings.
The silhouettes of palm trees lean lazily against the fencing and the exposed red brick nods to its historical past. The story of this hotel begins 160 years prior, when it was opened as Saint Vincent Infant Asylum. Today, it’s a luxury hotel, yet interwoven with the interior’s modernity are layers that honour its stately past. Each of the 75 guest rooms and suites are a marriage of 19th century detailing with mid-20th century Italian design elements. It’s beautiful and intriguing, offering an air of mystery, character and charm.
When heading to New Orleans, many tend to flock to the French quarter, the historical heart of the city known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. Yet if you’re looking for a more pared-back experience, a stone-throw from the center and that packs a punch with personality, we recommend heading to Hotel Saint Vincent located in the Garden District.
We make our way up the staircase into the hotel where friendly staff greet us at reception. A stunning welcome to the hotel, you can see the hotel’s history deeply interwoven here, with furniture in wooden and jewel tones, a large chintz rug thrown over polished floorboards and period-style art adorning the walls. Check-in is effortless and we’re given the keys to our rooms in no time. There are nine room types at Hotel Saint Vincent, each with standout amenities, stylish design and comfort at the forefront. The designers of the hotel have imbued each room with a sense of adventure, mingling bold velvet textures and pop-art tones with retro accessories, floor-to-ceiling windows and smooth wooden floors.
The bathroom is a far cry from your standard dulcet beige, instead proffering deep-pink tiles on the wall, uniquely patterned bathrobes and brass taps on vintage-style sinks. The king-sized bed is sumptuously comfortable, with plush pillows that are ideal for resting your head after a long day of exploring New Orleans. The garden district is peaceful and the ideal spot to make your base when wanting to discover the city of Nola without being right in the thick of it.
After a well-deserved sleep, I fling open my balcony doors to invite in the sounds of birds chirping and the sway of the palms. The air is fragrant with the scents of the plants below and the sun streams in. I peer past the canopy of trees, a sea of emerald against a backdrop of pink, fluffy clouds and can see the swimming pool just below. One of the few hotels in the area with a pool, it’s a beautiful spot to start your day or while away an afternoon. Sun loungers in candy stripes border the edge, while a poolside bar offers a range of cocktails, soft drinks, wines and snacks.
Dining wise, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the food and beverage offerings of Hotel Saint Vincent. Start the day with breakfast in the San Lorenzo and Paradise Lounge, the hotel’s signature all-day restaurant. Paying homage to classic and creative seasonal Italian cooking with New Orleans influences, you can enjoy everything from breakfast bowls or beignet and fresh juices, to sandwiches and salads at lunch. Come dinnertime, tuck into fresh oysters, handmade pasta, and classics such as chicken, steak or seafood. Accompany this with an Italian Margarita or glass of sparkling wine as you soak in the refined yet relaxed atmosphere. We recommend heading to the Paradise Lounge for a digestif, where you can perch on stools in a deep amber velvet and rest upon the marble bar. It’s a fresh and undeniably cool spot, framed by tropical murals by artist Ann Marie Auricchio.
You can also eat in their Elizabeth Street Cafe – a French Vietnamese-style cafe featuring all day favourites. Don’t miss their happy hour from 3pm-6pm with $5 off cocktails and half-off appetisers and banh-mi! Plus don’t miss the Chapel Club, a guest-only bar that is sexy, sophisticated and with a sense of intriguing allure. It’s dimly lit and hidden behind smoke-frosted doors which further lend to the mystery and is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner cocktail or a complimentary cup of coffee in the morning.
Hotel Saint Vincent is ideally located to explore the city, with an Uber taking just under ten minutes. As well as being the ideal gateway to New Orleans’s main area, it’s also a fantastic spot to stay in its own right. The Lower Garden District is a historic and vibrant neighbourhood with an eclectic mix of architectural styles and a great deal of personality. It’s charming and historical, housing many artists, musicians and creative professionals which in turn means the area has a strong artsy vibe. The most famous street is Magazine Street which is a short stroll right from Hotel Saint Vincent and features a wide range of beautiful stores and boutiques. Low-key and unpretentious, it’s the perfect place to make your base.
Hotel Saint Vincent is a truly wonderful place to stay, packing a punch with personality, design and offering a 5* service. It’s a hotel unlike any other in the area and offers so much more than just a place to rest your head. Elegant, original, and elevated, it offers an alternative stance on your stay in New Orleans. Stay away from the hustle and bustle of the main city and instead give yourself the chance to relax and enjoy the calm oasis feel of the garden district. Hotel Saint Vincent has it all and so much more.
Hotel Saint Vincent New Orleans
1507 Magazine St
New Orleans
LA 70130
United States
