New Orleans has a weird way of holding onto its ghosts while letting them party. You see it everywhere in the Lower Garden District. But specifically, at the corner of Magazine and Race, there’s this massive red-brick structure that feels like it’s watching you. That is Hotel Saint Vincent. It isn’t just another boutique hotel with high thread counts and an overpriced minibar. It’s actually a 19th-century orphanage—the Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum—transformed into a sprawling, neon-hued fever dream by the team at McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality.
Honestly, some people find the history a little spooky. It was founded in 1861 by Margaret Haughery, a woman so beloved in New Orleans they built a statue of her (the first in the U.S. to honor a female philanthropist). She was the "Bread Woman of New Orleans." She took care of the city's orphans during the yellow fever outbreaks. Now? You’re sipping a frozen Palomar by a salt-water pool where nuns used to hang laundry. It’s a trip.
The vibe is "Italian mid-century modern meets psychedelic Victorian." It shouldn't work. It really shouldn't. You have these original grand staircases and dark, moody hallways paired with wild, marbled wallpaper and red neon lights. It feels like a Wes Anderson movie if he had a dark secret and a penchant for expensive tequila.
The Design Aesthetic of Hotel Saint Vincent
Walking into the lobby, you're immediately hit by the contrast. The gray-painted brick of the exterior—that classic New Orleans aesthetic—gives way to an explosion of color. Designers Liz Lambert and Larry McGuire didn't play it safe. They leaned into the "layered" look of the city.
Most hotels in the Big Easy try too hard to be "Old World" with dusty velvet and fleur-de-lis everything. Not here. The 75 rooms are all different. Some are tucked into the eaves of the old building, feeling like a secret attic hideout. Others are grand suites with bathrooms that are, frankly, larger than most NYC apartments. The bathrooms are a highlight—expect pink-and-green marbled wallpaper that looks like a liquid fever dream and custom-made D.S. & Durga toiletries.
The beds are heavy. The linens are crisp. But the lighting is what matters. It's dim. It's intentional. You feel like you're in a sanctuary, which, considering the building's history, is pretty meta.
Paradise Lounge and the Art of the Afternoon Drink
If you aren't staying there, you're probably at the Paradise Lounge. It's the sun-drenched bar right off the entrance. The floor is tiled in a checkered pattern, and there’s a hand-painted mural of local flora and fauna that wraps around the room.
It’s the kind of place where you lose three hours. You sit down for one drink. Then the light shifts. Suddenly, it’s 6:00 PM and you’ve ordered a second round of the "Saint Vincent Cup."
The service is very "New Orleans." That means it’s friendly, a little slow in a charming way, and the bartender probably has a better vinyl collection than you. They aren't rushing you. Why would they? You're in the LGD. Time doesn't really exist here.
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Dining at San Lorenzo and Elizabeth Street Café
Food is where Hotel Saint Vincent really flexes. You have two main options, and they couldn't be more different.
San Lorenzo: This is the "Coastal Italian" spot. It’s named after the patron saint of cooks (fitting, right?). The menu is a mix of New Orleans seafood and Italian technique. Think snapper crudo with local citrus or a spicy rigatoni that actually has a kick. The dining room is stunning—green-painted walls, dark wood, and a sense of "occasion" without being stuffy.
Elizabeth Street Café: This is a transplant from Austin, and some locals were skeptical at first. It’s a French-Vietnamese bakery and café. The bánh mì is legit. The croissants are buttery. It’s located in a separate little outbuilding on the property, and it’s the best place in the neighborhood to cure a hangover with a big bowl of pho and a strong Vietnamese iced coffee.
The juxtaposition is wild. You can have a formal Italian dinner one night and a casual bowl of noodles the next morning without ever leaving the gates.
The Pool Scene
Let's talk about the pool. New Orleans is hot. Like, "I need to shower three times a day" hot. The pool at Saint Vincent is the ultimate escape. It’s surrounded by lush greenery and red-and-white striped loungers.
There’s a private bar just for guests and "social club" members. It feels exclusive but not exclusionary. You’ll see local artists, traveling musicians, and the occasional celebrity hiding behind oversized sunglasses. It’s a scene, but a relaxed one. No one is trying too hard.
What People Get Wrong About the Lower Garden District
A lot of tourists stay in the French Quarter or the Warehouse District. They think the Garden District is just for looking at old mansions. They're wrong.
The Lower Garden District (LGD) is the cooler, younger sibling of the posh Garden District. It’s where the grit meets the glamour. Staying at Hotel Saint Vincent puts you right in the middle of it. You’re steps away from the shops on Magazine Street—places like Sunday Shop or Saint Claude Social Club.
You aren't in a tourist trap here. You're in a neighborhood. You’ll see people walking their dogs, grabbing coffee at HiVolt, or having a beer at The Saint (the legendary dive bar just down the street). It's authentic. It’s noisy. It’s New Orleans.
The Reality of Staying in a 160-Year-Old Building
Look, it’s an old building. If you want a sterile, cookie-cutter Marriott experience, go stay at a Marriott.
The floors creak. The layout is a bit of a labyrinth. Because it was an asylum and then a hostel for decades, the bones of the building are quirky. Some rooms have smaller windows because that’s just how they were built in the 1860s.
But that’s the draw. You’re staying in a piece of history. The thick brick walls keep the heat out. The courtyards provide natural breezes. It’s an example of "adaptive reuse" done right. They kept the original chapel. They kept the ironwork. They just added some 1970s Italian furniture and a lot of vibe.
Is it Haunted?
Everyone asks. New Orleans is the most haunted city in America, allegedly.
The staff won't usually confirm or deny it, but if you believe in that sort of thing, a former orphanage is a prime candidate. However, the energy doesn't feel heavy. It feels celebratory. Margaret Haughery was a woman of joy and service. If there are ghosts, they’re probably just happy there’s finally some decent wine in the building.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to check out Hotel Saint Vincent, don’t just wing it. The city rewards the prepared.
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- Book San Lorenzo in advance: Especially on weekends. It’s a local favorite, not just a hotel restaurant.
- Explore the "By George" boutique: Inside the hotel is a curated shop. It’s expensive, but even just browsing the jewelry and high-end fashion is a lesson in style.
- Walk to Turkey and the Wolf: It’s a 10-minute walk away. It was named the best restaurant in America by Bon Appétit a few years back. The bologna sandwich is life-changing.
- Check the Event Calendar: They often have live music in the courtyard or pop-up markets.
- Don't skip the Chapel: It's one of the most beautiful parts of the property and is often used for private events, but you can usually peek in.
Getting Around
You don't need a car. Seriously. Park it and leave it. The St. Charles streetcar is a few blocks away. It’ll take you into the Quarter or up towards Audubon Park for a few dollars. Most of what you want—the bars, the shops, the restaurants—is walkable from the hotel gate.
Hotel Saint Vincent represents the "New" New Orleans. It’s a city that respects its past but isn't afraid to paint it bright red and throw a party. It’s a place for people who want the history of the South without the stuffiness of a museum. It’s loud, it’s beautiful, and it’s exactly where you should be.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check Room Categories: If you want a view of the pool, specifically request a courtyard-facing room; the exterior-facing rooms offer great people-watching on Magazine Street but can be noisier.
- Verify Pool Access: If you aren't staying overnight, look into a "Day Pass" via platforms like ResortPass, as the pool is strictly monitored during peak season.
- Review the History: Visit the Margaret Haughery statue at the intersection of Camp and Prytania Streets before your stay to understand the legacy of the woman who built the original asylum.
- Pack for the Vibe: Think "eccentric chic"—the hotel is a fashion-forward spot where you can get away with bold patterns and vintage finds.