Sonder Stays: New Orleans
Whenever I travel I like to make a habit of splitting up my stays between hotels and actual homes. I love the service aspect of hotels, but there's just something about staying at someone's home that makes a city feel real. So when I found Sonder for my best friend's birthday trip to New Orleans last fall (we stayed here), I was hooked. As I began to plan out everything for Essence Festival 2018, I knew Sonder was definitely going to be an option for me because of how at peace I felt on my trip prior. 
What I Loved About Our Space:
- The Location: Located in the Warehouse District, this Sonder was within walking distance to Canal Street and the French Quarter. It also was less than a 15 minute walk to both the Superdome and Ernest M. Memorial Convention Center, which was perfect for us running back and forth during EssenceFest. We were also half a block down from Ace Hotel, which is always hosting events and has a brilliant rooftop bar and pool. Also directly below the apartment is Drip Affogato Bar! There is also a supermarket a block away, so we were able to go get groceries (I'll speak more to that later). I literally cannot speak enough about convenient the location was.
- The Security: This place is locked down tight! You need a keycode to get into the building (that is full of Sonder apartments), then a code for your door that you push every time you're in and out.
- You STILL Get Serviced! We were still slightly serviced. Someone came by to tidy up everyday (ie: make beds, fresh towels if you ran out, toilet tissue, etc.) but not so much that it felt like a hotel. It was almost reminiscent of having a parent quietly clean up after you, haha.
- Fully Stocked: Okay, so not fully stocked but there is a washer/dryer in every unit (from my understanding), soap for the laundry, soap for dishes, pots and pans, plates, and cups. There's also a water filter pitcher, a tea kettle, a coffee pot, olive oil, and bathroom soaps. There wasn't much we needed to get outside of food. After half a week of eating out, it was nice to go to the grocery store and cook meals for ourselves.
- So. Much. Space.: We had tons of space in our Sonder! There was a couch in the living room and two comfortable armchairs for company. There's also a dining table for four, and two bedrooms with their own bathrooms. In NYC, a landlord would have split this place in two and sold it for a million dollars, haha.
Ultimately, our Sonder stay during Essence Festival was a home-away-from-home experience. If you are looking for a place to stay in New Orleans, especially for a larger group, I would definitely recommend booking a stay with them! They have one hundred and sixty three locations in New Orleans ALONE, from what I could count on their site. 
Sonder is also available in these cities: Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, Montreal, London, San Diego and Rome. Be sure to check them out. Tell them Kelly sent you!
Images by Trevon James