This Historic Hotel Might Be the Coolest Place to Stay in New Orleans—and It Has Chic Modernist Design, Italian-Creole Cuisine, and a Private Bar

There are many reasons to visit New Orleans, from po’ boys filled with heaps of fried shrimp spilling out of pillowy soft French bread, the shrill trills of brass trumpets, and the constant bustle of revelers across the city. I love to take it all in and reflect on the sights, sounds, and tastes from my favorite spot in the Big Easy: the shaded verandas of Hotel Saint Vincent.

Situated in the Lower Garden District, the property could easily be mistaken for one of the grand mansions that line the oak-blanketed streets. Enter through the wrought iron gates and make your way to the spacious patio, where there are likely to be clusters of guests chatting the afternoon away, glasses in hand.

“We want our guests to have a sense of place, to be immersed in New Orleans and feel the soul of the city: grand and decadent, rich, and storied,” says Liz Lambert a designer and a partner of McGuire Moorman Hospitality (the company that developed the hotel).

The building that now houses the Saint Vincent was constructed in the 1860s, during the Civil War. It was founded by local businesswoman and philanthropist Margaret Haughery, who intended the space (then known as Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum) to be a refuge for orphans. Today, the property still maintains much of its original, historic charm—but with a sultry modern twist.

“The city’s rich cultural tapestry, from its lively music scene to its Creole, French, and Italian influences, shapes our guest experience, whether it’s through our locally inspired menus or the local musicians, artists, and creatives we showcase weekly in Chapel Club,” says Lambert. “We’re not just a place to stay; we’re a part of the city’s story.”

With world-class museums to see, a legendary culinary scene, and music performances to catch, it’s easy for a hotel to be an afterthought when planning a trip to the Big Easy. But to me, staying at the Saint Vincent was an integral part of my visits—it’s an extension of all the things I love about New Orleans.

Here’s what it’s like to stay at Hotel Saint Vincent.

The Rooms

There are 75 rooms and suites at Hotel Saint Vincent, and each unit has a unique layout. Options range from the Magazine Rooms, which come with two queen beds (ideal for families), to the Corner Mary Suites, which overlook the hotel’s 150-year-old Virgin Mary grotto. My favorites are the Superior Suites, which have a spacious living room and a sweeping veranda that’s simply magical at dusk.

All accommodations at the Saint Vincent are decked out in the hotel’s signature aesthetic, which feels like a perfect marriage between the building’s original 19th century past and Italian Modernist-inspired elements—the result is an explosion of vibrant textures and colors. Think salmon-colored velvet curtains, Carrara marble countertops, and cherry red bathroom tiles paired with psychedelic wallpaper. I loved lounging in my suite’s large bathtub, surrounded by the shades of red, fuschia, and pink around me. It was an exhilarating way to unwind before throwing on a comfy silk robe to lounge on the veranda with a cocktail.

Food and Drink

There are five on-site bars and restaurants at Hotel Saint Vincent: San Lorenzo, Paradise Lounge, Elizabeth Street Cafè, the pool bar, and the Chapel Club.

The hotel’s signature restaurant is San Lorenzo, which invites guests to dine under opulent red chandeliers and Corinthian columns. The menu fuses Louisiana coastal Creole cuisine with Italian classics, resulting in creative dishes like oak-fired Gulf shrimp, monkfish schnitzel, and cider-brined porkchops.

“[Chef Mark Holmes’s] innovative approach to Italian-Creole flavors with locally sourced ingredients has elevated our restaurants,” says Lambert. “His vision perfectly aligns with our philosophy of honoring tradition while embracing creativity.”

If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re in luck. San Lorenzo is serviced by the Paradise Lounge, which doubles as the lobby bar. The space is decked out in tropical murals, lush plants, and pumpkin-colored velvet bar seats that are usually full come happy hour. Choose among New Orleans cocktail staples like daiquiris or sazeracs or one of their original creations, such as the Saint Vincent Spritz, an aperol-based concoction with grapefruit juice, rosemary-infused honey, and sparkling wine.

And, despite being minutes from New Orleans’ most popular hotspots, I always seem to find myself at the hotel’s guest-only lounge and bar, Chapel Club. The late night hours quickly arrive after a few sazeracs and lively conversation with the bartender. There’s one thing that you can count on in New Orleans besides good food—a good story.

For breakfast and lunch, consider stopping by Elizabeth Street Café, a French-Vietnamese eatery serving up plates of ginger-chili oil dumplings and cajun fried oyster banh mi in a shaded garden courtyard. It also has a healthy selection of French pastries such as macarons, quiches, and beignets for a sweet start to your day.

Activities and Experiences

The highlight of Hotel Saint Vincent is arguably its pool. Balmy days are best spent here in the shade of the brick courtyard, where there is plenty of seating and ample space to relax with a drink from the poolside bar.

For a little retail therapy, ByGeorge Boutique sits on the ground floor and specializes in high-end robes and pajamas as well as beauty and home products from brands like Dries Van Noten, Missoni, and Oseree.

Perhaps one of the best perks of staying at Hotel Saint Vincent is that you get access to the Chapel Club, which is exclusive to guests and club members. Expect a heavy-hitting lineup of live music, rotating DJs, and burlesque shows that will carry you well into the late night hours.

Location

Hotel Saint Vincent is situated in the heart of the Lower Garden District, about 15 miles (or a 20-minute drive) from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Its prime location puts you steps away from historic mansions, low-key bars, and plenty of dining options. Some of my favorites in the area include breakfast spot Surrey’s, the award-winning Dakar NOLA, and French brasserie MaMou. Lastly, I will never leave New Orleans without a taste of Uptown’s Heard Dat Kitchen. It’s so good that I had the blackened fish topped with lobster cream sauce and mashed potatoes delivered to my room, where I could privately enjoy each bite with unbridled joy.

And in addition to the usual New Orleans hot spots like the French Quarter, consider checking out Tremé, the country’s oldest Black neighborhood, which is just four miles away from Hotel Saint Vincent. Tremé is filled with treasures like Lil Dizzy’s Cafe, Backstreet Cultural Museum, and Congo Square, considered to be the birthplace of jazz music.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Hotel St. Vincent has nine ADA-compliant room options, ranging from its Sister Studio to the Superior Suite (billed as their grandest accommodation type)—they have mobility and hearing accessibility features.

As for sustainability, the property uses LED lighting, timers for air conditioning and lights, energy-efficient appliances, and eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Stay

Hotel Saint Vincent is part of American Express’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program. If you have a qualifying card (such as the Platinum Card by American Express) and book your stay on the FHR platform, you can get perks like early check-in, late checkout, and a $100 credit to spend on things like dining.

If you don’t have an American Express card, check the hotel’s offer page for potential deals before you make your reservation.