The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection

With a strongly promoted motto of “Play Naughty, Sleep Saintly,” it should come as no surprise that The Saint Hotel has a serious sexy side. A saints-and-sinners theme runs throughout the property, with “Play Naughty” and “Sleep Saintly” printed everywhere from the welcome mats in the lobby and elevators to the runners on the beds in the guest rooms. Playful chairs in the lobby, tucked among billowing sheer white curtains, have either black or white wings attached, allowing guests to pose for pictures of both their good and bad sides. The chic lobby bar exudes a distinct bordello vibe, which is balanced by angel statues that look down from above the reception desk. The hotel has incorporated the theme everywhere it can -- the 1960s black-and-white TV show “The Saint” even plays on a loop in the elevators.Such a strong theme could feel kitschy or overdone, but The Saint Hotel gets it right, thanks largely to beautiful design choices at every turn. Some guests might find the hallways to be too dim, but others will just think they’re really cool. For a sexy alternative to the traditional hotel environment, The Saint Hotel is an excellent option.

Perched on busy Canal Street, in front of the city’s famous streetcars, The Saint Hotel straddles the Central Business District and French Quarter. Bourbon Street, full of lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife, is just two blocks (a three-minute walk) away. Many of the city’s most popular attractions are within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, including St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Louis Armstrong Park, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and Harrah’s New Orleans Casino. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a nine-minute drive away. Guests can reach the middle of the Garden District by streetcar (right in front of the hotel) in about 15 minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is approximately a half-hour away by car or taxi.

The beautiful blue-and-white Deluxe Rooms at The Saint Hotel showcase an exquisite taste in design. All of the elements work perfectly together, from the patterned carpets, to the eclectic blue accent chairs, to the white desks with glass overlays of large black-and-white photos of New Orleans. Some rooms feature white leather headboards, while others have huge mirrors hung prominently behind the beds. Blue fabric runners on the beds read either “Play Naughty” or “Sleep Saintly,” and the do not disturb door tags, emblazoned with silhouettes of sexy devils, tie perfectly into the hotel’s overall theme.

Available with either one king or two queen beds, the rooms feature free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and trays of snacks for purchase. There are no coffeemakers in the rooms. Closets placed behind heavy blue velvet drapes offer irons, ironing boards, and safes. Bathrooms are sleek and bright, with marble countertops, molded glass bowl sinks, walk-in showers, and quirky statues of people climbing the walls above the toilets. Fluffy robes, hairdryers, and Niven Morgan toiletries come standard. Accessible rooms are available. 

The hotel’s three junior suites, each named after a different angel from the Bible, embody the hotel’s saintly theme. Full of pristine white furnishings, the suites are dominated by large window shades depicting angels and cherubs that are worthy of a church. All of the hotel’s suites include exquisite design touches like Murano glass chandeliers, leather couches, and exposed brick, and feature flat-screen TVs and Bose sound systems in every room. The massive, polished marble bathrooms include beautiful clawfoot bathtubs and huge walk-in showers.

For the ultimate indulgence, the hotel features two 2,000-square-foot suites, each with two beds and two bathrooms. The Archangel Michael Suite, with sky blue ceilings, follows the same saintly design scheme as the Junior Suites, and includes a full kitchen and dining area. In contrast, the Archangel Lucifer Suite is the centerpiece of the hotel’s sinner side. Decked out in black and deep red, with plush fabrics and leather sofas, the suite is dominated by window shades depicting women in lingerie and other sexy imagery. In lieu of a kitchen and dining area, there’s a swing chair, a disco ball, and a corner stage with a pole. The sleek bathrooms are sinfully luxe, full of gleaming black marble, blood red accents, and touches of gold.

The hotel’s playful vibe carries into its beautiful public spaces. The bright, chic Tempt restaurant serves up a creative take on traditional southern dishes for breakfast and dinner. Room service is available. The dark, stunning Burgundy Bar is a stylish den of red that can best be described as bordello-chic. Specialty cocktails bear the names of the seven deadly sins, while live jazz music and weekly burlesque nights take place on a small stage under a massive chandelier.

The sprawling lobby is full of lounge areas set among sheer white curtains. A vibrant turquoise pool table bears the hotel’s name and logo. Behind reception, The Library serves as a combination business center and informal meeting place, featuring a wall of blue velvet banquettes that display the “Play Naughty” motto in lights. The hotel also offers 1,200 square feet of meeting space.

A nice fitness center features modern cardio machines and free weights, but there’s no pool or spa at the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Valet parking is available for a fee.