Located away from the buzz of the French Quarter in the Lower Garden District, it invites a slower pace and sense of place.
—Vogue
What Historic, personality-driven hotel developed with inspiration from musician Saint Vincent
Description “This spring’s opening of the Hotel Saint Vincent, in New Orleans’s Lower Garden District, represents a next act for boutique hotelier Liz Lambert, who left her hospitality company, Bunkhouse Group, in 2019. It’s the debut project for McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the firm she recently formed with her longtime friends, Austin hospitality veterans Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman.” WSJ, April 2021
“Built in 1861 by Irish-born entrepreneur turned philanthropist Margaret Haughery, Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum operated as an orphanage and home for unwed mothers until the 1970.” WSJ, April 2021
Today guests can escape to the brick courtyard and concealed swimming pool decorated in Mexican Saltillo tile, enjoy coastal Italian at San Lorenzo, grab brunch at Elizabeth Street Cafe, modeled after the original French Vietnamese restaurant in Austin, shop at ByGeorge or grab a drink at Chapel Club bar, formerly the orphanage’s chapel.
“Lambert’s previous hotels won over tastemakers by creating a sense of community, offering programing and events, as well as design and decor, food and drink, that was as appealing to locals as it was to global nomads. She hopes that the Saint Vincent will do the same.” WSJ, April 2021
“If there’s a through line to the hotel work I do with my team, it’s one that’s really digging into the fabric of the community where the hotel is.” — Liz Lambert
Why When considering my favorite musicians, Annie Clark, more broadly known by her stage name Saint Vicent, easily rises to the top of my list. It’s not only her sound but her entire personality that’s hard to ignore, so to discover that she’s partnered with Austin hospitality icon, Liz Lambert, to craft the vision for Hotel Saint Vincent is just too perfect.
The magic of this place is in both the details and the overall vision of this historic, yet thoroughly revitalized aesthetic. Below are just a few examples of distinction:
Re: the soft opening — The weekend began with a small set, naturally by Saint Vicent herself and continued with an exhibit of feather suites belonging to the New Orleans’s Black Masking Indians, dinner at San Lorenzo, cocktails, namely mezcal old fashions, at the Chapel Club. The following morning a recovery workout was hosted by Joe Holder.
Re: the rooms — a psychedelic marbled theme, featured in everything from wallpaper to pillowcases; furniture by Lambert McGuire design, D.S. & Durga toiletries, Hazeltine candles, speciality wall colors by Farrow & Ball.
Re: the restaurants — art by Sud, Luculllus for culinary utensils, and “bits and pieces by Merchant House.
Re: location-specific ByGeorge items — Mavis toothpaste, Dries swimsuits, vintage wrist wear by Varalet, and a growing collection of make-up by Erin Lee Smith.
Re: future events — The team also “plans to offer their events space for local gatherings and art exhibitions. While exact collaborations have yet to be decided, Lambert and McGuire envision hosting farmers markets, flea markets, and recording sessions.” Vogue, June 2021
Image sources: Douglas Friedman (left image), Nick Simonite (middle and right image)
For anyone that loves unique hotel recommendation, Texas Monthly recommends Hotel Saint Vincent among many other newly renovated New Orleans options here: New Historic Hotels in NOLA
JENNIE LEE GRUBER 