Designer's Eye: Southern Hotel

I was delighted to spend my "anniverbirthday" weekend (that's right anniversary and birthday, back-to-back) in my husband's hometown of Covington, Louisiana.  We love to travel and I'm a sucker for staying in unique places, so we booked a two-night stay at the newly renovated Southern Hotel shortly after it's grand re-opening earlier this summer.  

This historical gem is creating quite a stir in the local community, not to mention brining in new business and enhancing the downtown district of this hip North Shore town.  Originally opened in 1907, this building housed the hotel until the 1960's.  Since that time it has served many other purposes including retail and office space. With each new tenant the building lost some of it's original luster and luxury. The two year renovation project was a great undertaking by Trampolin Peer Architects and has resulted in a beautifully restored boutique space!  

In July 2014, the Southern Hotel received the Phenoix Award from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana. It has also recently been featured on the cover of the September Issue Preservation In Print .  The attached restaurant (also new), Ox Lot 9 has been gaining quite a following as well.  Call early for reservations... we were not able to get in, though we did start with drinks at the hotel's Cypress Bar instead!

If you are ever passing through Covington, this is the place to stay... and eat... and drink!