LiveGreenNOW

By Traci Claussen

The New Orleans hotel scene is finally turning green with the help of Faux De Lis, the business design of entrepreneurs Collyn Martinez and David Friedlaender who are meeting a glaring need in the hospitality industry for walls that are more durable, green, cost effective to maintain, and aesthetically pleasing. Collyn and David combine innovative materials and techniques that result in unique, custom-designed wall finishes.

These guys recently helped renovate The Roosevelt, proving that not all hotels are RE-created equal. Winter Escape packages are just $159/night, with Teddy Bear Tea and traditional Waldorf Wonderland lobby the entire month of December. Infamous politician, Huey P. Long, along with a famous cast including Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and Cab Calloway have made The Roosevelt a beacon of luxury in the south for decades. You can actually FEEL the stories oozing from their walls, and perhaps even a bit of the NY Giants, who lost to the Saints after their weekend stay at the Roosevelt. WHO DAT?!

Another hotel known for embracing the green-scene before it was cool is The International House. Born out of love for New Orleans, the IH has the keen sense to observe local customs and rituals, including this month’s special offer: The Sanctuary of Love, great for lovers who seek the exotic. Priced at just $319/night, a voodoo priestess will actually customize a sensual symbolic ritual designed to ensure the eternal joining of two souls. Holiday parties swirl around the loa bar in the IH lobby, as well as at their new Franco-Spanish tapas restaurant, Rambla.  Seasonal cocktail tastings every Wednesday. Rooms, Suites, and two Penthouses are available.  Recent guests include R.E.M. in town two weeks ago to work on their upcoming record at another New Orleans entrepreneur, Frank Alquist’s Music Shed. Here’s to a bit of “voodoo” influence.

Photo by Traci Claussen

Details: Sanctuary of Love

Inspired by the legendary peristyles and colorful spirits well known to the Caribbean islands and Voodoo lore, “Sanctuary of Love” is for lovers seeking the exotic. For a value of $319 per night/evening, based on a two-night stay, acclaimed priestess Sallie Ann Glassman has created a sensual symbolic ritual designed to ensure the eternal joining of two souls.

For the voodoo chic, the ones seeking the exotic, International House brings to you, by 30-day advance appointment and at an additional cost, the local matriarch of Mambo. The priestess will restyle your guestroom with sacred, beautiful objects and create for you a personal altar. Intimacy is reinforced with a delicate transitory design that captures the moment, and a “gris gris” bag, or lucky charm, is created for the couple during the ceremony. (*Please call or email hotel directly at 1-800-633-5770 or reservations@ihhotel.com for more specifics.)