There are certain places—show-stopping hotels, award-winning restaurants, local dive bars, or incomparable vintage shops—that are worth planning your whole trip around. Hotel Peter & Paul is one of those places.
Although New Orleans may be a sin city in its own right—to dream of the Big Easy often conjures thoughts of raucous music, booze, and Voodoo—the magnificent and historic churches strewn throughout its streets may be one of its most enchanting qualities. While most are still in operation in a traditional sense, hosting services on Sundays as they have for generations, Hotel Peter & Paul’s transformation into an upscale hotel still feels like a spiritual experience for lovers of all things design and architecture.
An Irish Catholic priest brought Saints Peter & Paul’s church to the city in 1861. Over the course of more than 100 years, the church evolved to include a convent, a theatre, a gym, and a school—those who grew up in New Orleans’s Marigny neighborhood still remember the latter fondly. In 2018, after four years of construction, New Orleans resident Nathalie Jordi and ASH NYC reopened the restored former church as Hotel Peter & Paul—an antique-yet-modern homage to the building’s religious history and an interior design lover’s dream.
the designers preserved the church's interior.
was also preserved during renovations.
Why it’s worth the trip:
The history of the building itself is stunning, and its transformation even more so. During its redesign, the original structure was kept entirely intact, meaning that around every corner awaits grandiosity worthy of a Catholic church—arched doorways and ceilings, stained glass windows, and marble fireplaces included—side-by-side with inspired antique decor.
The hotel’s developers specialize in breathing new life into worn spaces—ASH NYC also supported the creation of Detroit’s Siren Hotel and The Dean in Providence, Rhode Island—revamping the interior and filling its halls with photographs and artwork from local artisans, as well as antique and custom decor. The hotel glows with Southern hospitality—and that’s before you eat breakfast in its bright sunroom, sit to sip and socialize in one of its classic parlors, or settle in for a good night’s sleep in one of its 71 French, Italian, or Swedish-inspired guest rooms.
You’ll like it here if:
You’re religious about art, design, and architecture. You’re looking for a quiet and cozy retreat after a long day out in New Orleans’s cacophonous streets. You want to be taken back in time and experience Southern charm at its finest.
Price breakdown:
From $109/night.
The crowd:
Out-of-towners and locals alike. Peter & Paul is located in an otherwise residential area, so neighbors popping in for a visit to the hotel’s Elysian Bar is common. Since the hotel was once the site of a school, alumni often hang out and reminisce over drinks; stop by and you may just hear a good story or two from the people who know NOLA best.
and wine served at The Elysian Bar.
How to prepare:
Get to know New Orleans’s history. Perhaps unexpected to those who know it exclusively for its nightlife, the city’s story is woven with tales of religion, immigration, and survival—the elements that originally brought Hotel Peter & Paul to life. In between drinks and nights on the town, familiarize yourself with the past of one of the United States’ most complex cities—and get to know the neighbors that keep the city so alive and colorful today.
Pro-tips:
Keep an eye out on two of the hotel’s buildings: The Rectory and The Church. The Rectory houses several of the hotel’s most beautiful rooms as well as the Elysian Bar, where you’ll find libations served by local favorite and James Beard-award winning bar Bacchanal, which brings innovative cocktails and niche wines to the table. In The Church, the hotel hosts both public and private events. On some nights, it may be pilates, yoga, and dance classes; on others, they host quiet, intimate gatherings that match the sacred tone of the space.
While you’re in the area:
The possibilities in New Orleans are endless. For starters, we recommend visiting places similar to Hotel Peter & Paul—those away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street, but where you’ll actually find the real best of New Orleans’s bar scene and nightlife.