St. Vincent's Guest House Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay

Pros

Historic 1861 orphanage that may or may not be haunted
Garden District location near boutiques and restaurants
Rooms have high ceilings and dorm options are available
On-site pizza restaurant
Communal kitchen for guests to use
On-site swimming pool and courtyard
On-site parking (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi

Cons

Badly in need of renovations and maintenance throughout
Poorly soundproofed rooms can be noisy
Air-conditioning isn't powerful
Musty smells
Not within walking distance of French Quarter

Bottom Line

The 70-room St. Vincent's Guest House is a two-pearl property with a few niches in mind -- ghost hunters, artsy outsiders, and budget backpackers. It's situated in a grand 1861 building that was once an orphanage, and the Garden District location is within walking distance of boutiques and eateries. However, rooms are run down and dated, and there are upkeep issues and odd smells throughout. Guests hang out near the outdoor pool and courtyard, and there's an interior day room with free Wi-Fi as well. It's hard to beat the price here, though travelers looking for modestly nicer, historical digs near the French Quarter could consider The Pelham Hotel -- expect higher rates.

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Hotel & Amenities Photos

Amenities

Pool

Two Queen Room

Single Queen Room

The Hotel

Amenities

Cribs
Internet
Pets Allowed
Pool

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Scene

Historic and possibly haunted former orphanage that needs renovating

Built as an orphanage in 1861, the St. Vincent's Guest House is full of New Orleans charm and character -- for better or worse -- but expectations must be set in advance when staying here. This is a budget property through and through, and the hotel badly needs all manner of updates and maintenance. Guests arrive to a typical New Orleans wrought-iron gate, with lush crape myrtles and other trees and plants creating a garden setting inside the fence. The three-story brick building has huge white columns, with ornate railings and detailing on the exterior. Inside, ceilings are high, moldings are richly detailed, and transoms add period flavor. The bright spots end there, though, and we saw peeling paint, concrete walkways that are cracked, buckled, and stained, and missing panes in attic windows. Hallways to guest rooms are wide and have ceiling fans, but they smell old and musty. Hardwood floors have been replaced by tile or carpet in most areas. A sign behind the front desk states that the hotel is renovating, but if so, it's a slow-going process. For now, this place mostly attracts young people on tight budgets sacrificing comfort and cleanliness for rock-bottom rates and a quirky night's sleep. It's also home to a few longer-stay guests, and according to local folklore, there are some resident ghosts as well.

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Location

In the Garden District -- walk to boutiques and restaurants

The hotel is located in New Orleans' Garden District, a historic slice of the city that's home to Antebellum mansions and artsy counterculture. It sits along busy Magazine Street just where it becomes populated with boutiques, restaurants, and other businesses, and the neighborhood has an up-and-coming vibe. The location is convenient to public transportation, with a bus stop just a block away. The French Quarter and Jackson Square are not within walking distance, and take about 15 minutes to reach by car. The Riverwalk Marketplace is about a mile and a half from the hotel, and the Super Dome, home to the Saints, is less than 10 minutes away by car. Depending on traffic, Louis Armstrong International Airport takes 30 minutes to reach by car or cab.

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Rooms

Mostly spacious rooms that are dated and need maintenance

Consider yourself warned: Much like the rest of the hotel, guest rooms need a significant amount of updating and maintenance. They feature old floral bedspreads or quilts, old-fashioned drapery, beat-up and mismatched furniture, window air-conditioning units, and old tube-style TVs. We spotted peeling paint, broken drop ceiling tiles, and other signs of poor maintenance -- and the quality of cleanliness is hit or miss. That being said, high ceilings are a plus and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with showers or shower/tub combos and bar soap. Some rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges, and all have large windows and ceiling fans. Dorm-style rooms with four to six beds also are available, separated into rooms for men and women, though these won't always be pleasant. One large dorm room for men sleeps 16 people and has only one shared bathroom.

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Features

Outdoor pool, grill and communal kitchen, plus day room with TV, pianos, and books

There is an outdoor pool here, but whether one wants to swim in it is a different story -- it was murky when we visited, and has a cracked concrete deck with lounge chairs as well as cafe seating for dining alfresco. Flowering trees, a brick wall, and a wrought-iron fence add a bit of New Orleans character. Picnic tables on the adjacent lawn also are available for outdoor dining, and the courtyard provides a shaded spot where guests can gather. A grill is available for guests to use, as is a communal kitchen. The hotel has a day room with a TV, free Wi-Fi, seating, two pianos, books, and magazines -- in fact, this is the only spot in the hotel with Wi-Fi. There is a pizza restaurant on site as well.

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