A Resort Oasis, Rich with New Orleans History
Welcome to the Bywater Suite Hotel, an Oasis in the Ninth Ward.
The property and its incredible history are truly inspiring and remind us, as the owners, what an honor it is to be the next generation of stewards of this remarkable city block in the heart of Bywater. A true Oasis!
We invite you to join us in a story of our love of New Orleans, its history, its architecture and its people.
On May 1, 1849 three Marianite sisters arrived in New Orleans. They were part of an order that had been founded in Le Mans, France only eight years earlier. Their journey first took them to Indiana and then they were sent to New Orleans to help at the St. Mary’s Orphan Boys’ Asylum.
In 1851, the sisters petitioned to open an orphanage and industrial school for young women in the city because they recognized the strong need for this. Thus, began the genesis of the Academy of Holy Angels. In 1853, the Marianites purchased the property we know today as the Bywater Suite Hotel from Celeste Powell, a free woman of color, for $275.00.
Today, there are 6 buildings, consisting of our 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites, a pool club and gym, Holy Waters, our restaurant and bar opening in September, 2025 and our event space which was formally a chapel opening in January, 2026. Each of these buildings has a story and each holds fond memories for women from around the world.A trip to the Bywater Suite Hotel would not be complete without taking a walk around the grounds. At one time there were 6 grottos on the property and while they are no longer there, we do have one incredible swimming pool and hot tub for our guests to enjoy.
Building 200
We begin in the oldest of the buildings, which is best known as the “Gray Building.” This building consists of 3 floors of suites. Interestingly the doors are all made from Louisiana cypress. The 2nd floor was originally the Holy Angels Convent and in June, 1854 the sisters were given permission to train women to become Marianites.
Building 100
We move from the Grey building to the Chapel of Our Lady of Seven Dolors, constructed in 1885, the same year that the sycamore trees were planted in front of the Academy building. In 1973, the chapel became the library for the school. In 1995, the chapel was renovated and was used by people throughout the city as a conference hall and place of prayer. The windows of the chapel are German. The cross, that was struck by lightning in1982, has been restored and replaced on top the bell tower in 2000. While no longer there, the chapel was home to a Wicks Opus 1510 organ, which was a two manual, one division, direct electric instrument constructed in the 1930’s.
Building 600
As we leave the Chapel, we see the Academy school building. In the midst of the Civil War, the Marianites assumed the awesome responsibility of constructing this building. The cornerstone was laid on May 3, 1862 and the building was dedicated on October 2, 1865. From 1865 until 1992, the Marianites were known for the quality of education that students received at the Academy. Young women traveled from all sections of the city to attend Holy Angels. From the 30’s and until 1956, young women from Central America came to the Academy boarding school. In 1992, the Academy of Holy Angels closed its doors as a school. In 1999, the Marianites entered into a collaborative project with the Willwoods Community to convert the building into thirty-three apartments for the elderly on a fixed income. This project, known as the Holy Angels Apartments, opened its doors in August, 2000 to the elderly. We are proud to have this building continued to be used for this purpose.
Building 400
We now move to our restaurant which was the Cafeteria/Concert Hall that was built in 1923. This cafeteria served the residents and staff on the property and now will be serving our hotel guests and the New Orleans community with incredible food, a full service bar, outdoor dining and pool club fare. The second floor was called the Concert Hall and served as the auditorium until 1964. Today, it is the site of 5 of our hotel suites.
Building 300
St. Joseph Convent, was completed in 1936. It served as the convent for the Marianites at Holy Angels and other sisters who taught in nearby schools. In 1995, a renovation project converted the building to an assisted living facility for the sisters. The solarium where the pool bathroom is was created from a walkway to give the impression of being outside while still enclosed.
Building 500
The final and newest building on our tour was built in 2022 when the property underwent its transformation to the Bywater Suite Hotel. It is home to 56 of our hotel suites and our main Lobby.
A trip to the Bywater Suite Hotel would not be complete without taking a walk around the grounds.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Bywater!
