Review of the Maison de la Luz + Staycation Tips to Use Right Now
The best luxury hotel in New Orleans is…
There are some properties that I get excited about just when I hear the idea of them. The Maison de la Luz is a property that I’ve been watching the construction of since March of 2019. I’d just transitioned full time from corporate America to luxury travel and was attending Virtuoso on Tour, a networking event on steroids the was being hosted in New Orleans. I was invited to come tour the Maison de la Luz after rooftop drinks at its sister property the Ace Hotel. Ever since I walked on those checkerboard tiles in the main entrance I knew that I had to come back to the Maison once it was open for business.
Fast forward one year and a global pandemic later and I needed a quick getaway from my computer, the pups, and the four walls of my house. I reached out to my contacts at the Maison and told them that I was coming and of course they rolled out the same red carpet for me that they do for all of my clients! My two night stay was exactly what I needed to feel refreshed and ready to return to real life. The details are below and I’m sharing my top tips for your own perfect staycation!
What you need to know about the Maison de la Luz:
This luxury guesthouse is brought to you from the same team behind the Ace Hotel properties. Think of it as the cooler older cousin to the Ace, less hipster, more high powered attorney but still the perfect mix of cool.
The Maison is housed in a renovated law firm and it feels like a private sanctuary in the midst of a bustling city. Unlike most hotels that open their restaurants and lobbies to non-hotel guests, the Maison has a strict guest only policy complete with an honor bar, private library with a hidden door that leads to Bar Marilou, and a breakfast room that feels like you’re dining in a beautiful box of wedding china.
With just 67 rooms, I never saw another guest as I was coming in and out of my room. The staff welcomed me like an old friend (granted we are old friends!) but still made sure I had everything that I needed for a perfect stay.
I immediately noticed all of the little details in the room like the porcelain oyster soap dish, the fully stocked bar with the necessary ingredients to make classic New Orleans cocktails, and some of the best smelling bath products I’ve ever used!
Make a reservation for breakfast and you’ll have your choice of the items on the menu plus a few off menu specials. I had the salmon and everything bagel two days in a row because it was just that good. Unlike a big hotel, the staff remained the same for our entire stay so I was able to see the same friendly faces at breakfast each morning.
You have access to the Ace and get priority reservations at Josephine Estelle. Even though Maison doesn’t have a pool or gym you can use the facilities at the Ace during your stay and you even have signing privileges so that you don’t have to lug your credit card around with you.
Reach out when you’re ready to plan your own staycation (I’m a preferred partner at hundreds of hotel partners all over the world) and in the meantime check out these tips for inspiration!
Plan your staycation around the tourism off season for the best rates. Right now many hotels are at partial occupancy so if there is a property that you have your heart set on book it now because the reduced occupancy could mean there are fewer rooms available.
Before you book online, call your trusted travel advisor (ahem). As advisors we book the same properties dozens of times per year so we have personal relationships with the hoteliers. This means that you get treated like a VIP plus we can offer some sweet amenities like room upgrades, breakfast, and hotel credit for food and beverage at no additional cost to you!
Order room service! How often do you get food brought to you while you're in your pjs? Room service is especially clutch now that many destinations have limited restaurant options. Try a new dish that you wouldn't cook at home, always ask if there are off menu specials, and order course by course so your food doesn't get cold.
Staycations can be both a cost effective vacation and a great way to explore your own city. Use your staycation as an opportunity to sample a new restaurant, bar, or music venue.
Plan your staycation around the tourism off season for the best rates and always ask your advisor or the reservation agent for a corner room, which tend to be slightly larger and have better views.
Take full advantage of your staycation and request an early check in and late check out. A late check out may be harder to accommodate but an early check in is almost always feasible, especially if you give the property a heads up and let them know you’re coming.