A stay at Maison de la Luz invokes the feeling of having snuck into the residence of an outlandish explorer who has yet to return from their travels. That, combined with some noticeable supernatural influences and the incorporation of minimalist elements as a stark contrast, makes for an inimitable New Orleans hotel. The mystical, layered energy of the city has seeped into Maison de la Luz, taking shape in the form of antique collectables and other eclectic pieces. But even with its ornate design, the hotel is a quiet oasis amidst the buzz of the Big Easy.

Maison de la Luz is a boutique six-story guesthouse situated near Lafayette Square in the heart of New Orleans’s Warehouse District. Maison de la Luz delivers luxury accommodation in a central location, with the added bonus of chic interiors, secret passageways and delectable food and drink in the Breakfast Room and Marilou Bar. With just 67 suites, the guesthouse is private and intimate; a perfect escape where an attentive team of staff embody Southern hospitality, welcoming each and every guest that passes through the building’s doors in much the same way that they would welcome a guest in their own homes.

Launched in the spring of 2019, the Ace Hotel Group’s Maison de la Luz has since become a popular choice of stay, especially among A-listers who appreciate the hotel’s somewhat secluded, residential feel. The achievement of such an atmosphere is all thanks to the collaboration between Atelier Ace’s Kelly Sawdon and LA-based Studio Shamshiri’s Pamela Shamshiri. Having been entrusted with the interior design of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars’ homes, Shamshiri had the expertise to take this former office building and transform it into a space oozing in elegance and uniquity. The design plan was to ditch traditional luxury and opt rather for the unconventional, providing visitors of New Orleans with a space that reflects the diverse and electric nature of the city. In doing so, the New Orleans culture is not one merely to be encountered when walking the streets, but even within the walls of the hotel itself.

With such a thoughtful approach to design, Maison de la Luz’s allure is all in the details. The Art Deco influence is evident from the get-go. In the grand foyer, restored black-and-white marble floors and wrought-iron twin stairs act as remnants of the building’s rich history, with gold embellishments added to the staircase in keeping with the sophisticated French theme. At the foot of each set of stairs sits a pair of velvet maroon sofa chairs, also trimmed in gold and with gold fringes dangling beneath them. The low-hanging light fixture positioned at the centre of the foyer is a mystical piece, its murky white orbs floating at different elevations and appearing as if they could be miniature crystal balls.

Every room at Maison de la Luz is brimming with character, adorned with ornaments and artifacts from different cultures around the globe. In the common areas you will find reupholstered furnishings following a subtle primary colour scheme, custom-made Christopher Farr x Shamshiri tiger rugs and appealing artworks by some of Louisiana’s most talented local artists. Bold pieces symbolizing rebirth have also been carefully curated and placed throughout the hotel space, some of which include botanicals, eggs, circles, serpents, apples and eyes.

A tasseled key grants you access into your suite. Room categories include the Grand Studio Suite, One Bedroom Suite, King Bedroom, Double Bedroom, Junior Deluxe Studio Suite and Deluxe Studio Suite. New Orleans is a city in motion, pulsating with energy around the clock. Guests will need to steal a moment or two for calm, in preparation for another day’s adventure characterised by vibrant colours and booming jazz style sound. And so, at Maison de la Luz, the extravagant design is left to the common areas, while the minimalistic suites have been made up in such a way so as to exude tranquility.

In each suite, a neutral colour palette of mauve walls, beige drapes and wooden furnishings has been followed. The comfortable beds are wrapped in white linen and framed by deep blue scalloped headboards. As for the “living room” space in some of the bigger rooms, subtle colours have been incorporated, including a mustard carpet, olive green sofa and navy blue armchair. The suites are bright and airy, with large glass windows embracing the natural light. Every suite also features a minibar, with full bottles of high-end liquor perched next to a gold pineapple ice bucket. While designed to be sanctuaries of calm, the rooms do feature some quirky pieces here and there. Pay attention to those coffee tables – they are embellished with intricate zodiac symbols.

The en-suite bathrooms have an antique feel to them, having been somewhat made in the image of old-fashioned apothecaries. The merging of old school multi-coloured mosaic floor tiles, cabinets and mirrors with modern marble vanities, ornate lamps and serpent-shaped shower handles makes for an interesting contrast. There are also deep soaking tubs, luxurious bath robes and bespoke toiletries.

New Orleans is famed for its gastronomic scene, and Maison de la Luz does a good job of living up to such expectations. Designed in collaboration with Paris-based Quixotic Projects, Bar Marilou is bold and artsy, serving up wine and craft cocktails in a scarlet red setting with patterned wallpapers, funky animal print bar stools and olive green and blue sofas in the library lounging area.

Reserved exclusively for hotel guests, there is also a clandestine salon which can be accessed via a hidden doorway behind a bookcase. Guests can even enjoy the excitement of ordering their next cocktail or light meal through a tiny window that hides behind one of the salon’s picture frames. We’d recommend taste-testing a signature New Orleans potion – Sazerac.

The Breakfast Room is akin to a piece of Chinese porcelain, sporting a regal blue-and-white colour scheme. Large blue paintings of botanicals adorn the stark white walls while the wallpaper above offers a sort of indoor-outdoor experience, tricking guests into thinking that they are seated beneath the roof of a garden gazebo. Here, guests can choose from a wide-ranging buffet or a la carte menu, which features fresh-baked pastries, cold-pressed juices and a selection of coffees.

On the first floor of the guesthouse is the Living Room, or as it has been labelled by a local New Orleans psychic, “the Garden of Eden.” This is a quiet, relaxing spot with a continued mass of distinctive knick-knacks and wall hangings, as well as the room’s famous corset lights. The Living Room is great for business meetings, a romantic rendezvous with cheese and wine or even family game night with a range of board games available. Although Maison de la Luz is somewhat limited in terms of facilities, this does not make it any less special. The guesthouse was designed to be intimate and tranquil. Should you wish to lounge around a rooftop pool or indulge in additional culinary experiences, the Ace Hotel is just across the street; its host of facilities available to be utilized by guests of Maison de la Luz.

In a city as popular as New Orleans, a property really needs to stand out in order to be considered by discerning travelers. While Maison de la Luz may lure you in with its bold design and décor, it holds a special quality beyond aesthetics: a gracious and discrete team of staff. Maison de la Luz is a refreshingly intimate space in an otherwise busy urban centre, and offers every guest the chance to be treated as an exclusive VIP.