Maison de la Luz
Hotel Name: Maison de la Luz
Number of Rooms: 67
Location: Located in a former City Hall building in New Orleans’ Warehouse District, five blocks south of the French Quarter.
Atelier Ace’s newest venture in New Orleans, Maison de la Luz stands poised to become the city’s hottest boutique hotel. Designed to reflect the home of a worldly woman who has returned to New Orleans with a trove of eclectic treasures, the 67-room property is a masterpiece of bohemian individualism. Located in the Warehouse district, just south of the French Quarter, Maison de la Luz is ideally situated for city exploration, but after a few cocktails at the swanky Bar Marilou, you’ll be awfully tempted to stay put in your gold-tasseled seat.
What We Loved: Every inch of this impeccably turned-out property has been lovingly considered, and the result is a cinematic jewel box – think Alice in Wonderland seen through a Sazerac.
What We Didn’t Love: There’s no gym on property (though guests have access to facilities at the neighboring Ace Hotel). But aren’t you in New Orleans to eat beignets anyway?
Right For: Art and design enthusiasts; people who like a bit of humor with their louche maximalism (your in-room ice bucket may be a golden pineapple.)
Wrong For: We might steer families with small kids elsewhere, as this is a property best enjoyed by grown-ups. Similarly, minimalists need not apply.
Best Time to Visit: January-May, September-November. Mardi Gras usually falls in late February, and Jazz Fest in early May; plan at least a year in advance for these windows.
TLF Tip: There's a certain bookcase in the bar that hides a secret 12-person snug; order a cocktail and a painting will swing to the side, revealing a service window.