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. Maison de la Luz in New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of those places.
The little sister of The Ace Hotel, Maison de la Luz is the latest luxury guest house in soulful New Orleans, known for its vibrant culture, haunting cemeteries, jazz history, and one-of-a-kind gastronomy scene.
Located just around the corner from Lafayette Square, the city’s second-oldest park and a major social gathering spot, it’s something of a secret hidden in plain sight. The property, unlike so many others, isn’t a part of the party or even the nightcap; instead, Maison de la Luz is a soothing respite amongst the noise, with French-influenced design and locally-sourced art and food. Come here to experience the best of what New Orleans has to offer in a home that reflects the city’s cultural depth—but this time, in the most relaxed way possible.
Why it’s worth the trip:
The guest house’s specialty lies in its ability to create a truly soothing escape without diluting the vibrant character of the space it occupies—a city that is intoxicatingly cultured, filled with energy year round, and warm with Southern hospitality. Designed by LA-based, otherworldly interior architecture firm Studio Shamshiri, Maison de la Luz is as much a sanctuary as it is a temporary home. Tucked away in the bustling heart of New Orleans, a historic winding staircase welcomes guests inside. Each of its 67 rooms is one-of-a-kind, outfitted with hand-embroidered linens, custom wallpaper, marble vanities in the bathrooms, and notably, a highly curated collection of original work. An osteria on the property offers indulgent fare from two James Beard Award-nominated chefs, bringing Sicilian and Tuscan flavors together with local deep South ingredients.
You’ll like it here if:
You like being in the center of it all but still crave quiet moments.
The price:
Rates start at $389/night.
The crowd:
Artsy and international, a cast of tuned-in, culture-savvy guests. And don’t be surprised to meet Parisians—Maison de la Luz has a French connection, as its bar is the cousin of several renowned experimental cocktail outposts abroad.
How to prepare:
Louisiana is hot and humid all year, so bring lightweight everything.
Pro-tips:
The aforementioned hotel bar, Bar Marilou, is the creation of the legendary French cocktail group Quixotic Projects, the visionaries behind imaginative Parisian spots like Le Mary Celeste and Candelaria. The group’s latest creation does not disappoint; housed in the former library of City Hall Annex, here you can experience spirits and small plates inspired by Creole, West Indian, and French flavors while surrounded by classic novels and literary curiosities.
While you’re in the area:
Start your day at Café Du Monde for its famed beignets and a café au lait. Then, visit Studio Be, an incredible 36,000-square foot public art space designed by artist Brandon Odums, whose dynamic large-scale murals pay homage to black culture and civil rights leaders in New Orleans. Later, check out Saint Social Club, a sprawling boutique inspired by African, Haitian, Spanish, and French design, for some local wares to add to your wardrobe on the ground. Then, in the evening, make your way back to Lafayette Square; on Wednesdays, you’ll find live music, food trucks, and cocktails (look for New Orleans originals—you’re in the city that invented the Sazerac and the Hurricane).