Boutique hotelier Liz Lambert is about to open her new venue called Hotel Saint Vincent. It will open its doors in New Orleans’s Lower Garden District. It’s the first project for her firm McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, which she recently formed with her longtime friends, Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman. Lambert said this is also a homecoming to her because her grandmother was pure French, and her dad was Cajun. She added that New Orleans always felt familiar to her. Born in Texas, Lambert made her name at culturally minded hangouts like Marfa’s El Cosmico and Austin’s Hotel Saint Cecilia.

The Building That Will Become Hotel Saint Vincent Was Built In New Orleans In 1861

Liz Lambert noticed the building that would become the 75-room hotel back in 2014. According to her, it was love at first sight because it took her breath away. The building was built in 1861 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Margaret Haughery. It was called Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum and operated as a home for unwed mothers and an orphanage until the 1970s. When Lambert noticed the building, it had become a moderate guesthouse with intricate brickwork and handwrought iron balconies. The design and history of the building were what intrigued Lambert.

Lambert Chose to Restore the Building With a Layer of Modernity and Color

Instead of restoring the old New Orleans building to its 19th-century look, Lambert said she thought it would be way more interesting to imagine what would become of an old manor taken over by children in the 1960s or ’70s. The idea is to create a sense of stately history but with a layer of modernity and color. Today, the building’s ornate Italianate details are kept and mingle with new designs, art deco, and 20th-century Italian aesthetics, creating a mixed look that plays with tones, textures, and patterns.

Apparently, the property now feels like a grand old resort with a swimming pool, brick courtyard, pool bar, and a decades-old grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Lambert is known for running hotels by creating a sense of community, offering events, design, decor, food, and drink that both locals and visitors will find appealing.

It’s no secret that movies have the power to take us on an adventure through scenic locations. These five iconic travel films never fail to inspire the wanderer in its viewers with their beautiful scenery and entertaining storylines.

Roman Holiday (1953)

For those who love black-and-white classic flicks, this movie is an excellent choice. It showcases the talents of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. This comedic love story centers around a princess on a visit to Rome, trying to shed her royal responsibilities, and an American journalist pretending to be her guide on an amazing tour of Rome.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas collaborated on creating this timeless film that ended up entertaining many generations for decades to come. We watch Indiana Jones, portrayed flawlessly by Harrison Ford, as he seeks to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant. The filming took place in France and Tunisia making this an inspiring travel film.

Up (2009) – One of the Most Family-Friendly Travel Films

Although animated, Up is much more than a children’s film. Its heart-wrenching story reaches children and adults alike. As Carl’s house is turned into a dirigible, the old man and his young friend Russel travel to South America to find the fantastical Paradise Falls that Carl and his late wife always dreamed of visiting.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

A young screenwriter and novelist, Gil Pender, and his fiance make a trip to the beautiful Paris. Gil is captivated by the Parisian creatives’ past and spends his time visiting their favorite spots of old. One night, he gets swept away to the 1920s for an evening of revelry. Starring Owen Wilson, this film shows the splendors of Paris in an enchanting manner.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Showcasing stunning locations, this is one of the travel films that awakens the wanderlust in its viewers! Played by Ben Stiller, Walter Mitty is a Life Magazine employee who embarks on a long and difficult journey that takes him from Manhattan through Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas. His goal is to find a lost photo slide from Sean O’Connell, a well-known photojournalist.