Hotel Mazarin

Hotel Mazarin

BRAND IDENTITY CONCEPT

New Orleans boasts a lot of so-called “historical luxury” hotels. On every corner, there’s a very well-dressed bellman welcoming you into a grand lobby filled with classic script monograms, fleur de lis, faded paisley patterns and theatrical crests. It’s charming and cheesy and... I felt the need to do something about it. Enter Hotel Mazarin—a boutique French Quarter hotel I visited. As a designer, I can be a bit obsessed with the aesthetic and yes, it is annoying, but I can’t help it. So I took matters into my own hands. 

Now, Hotel Mazarin is a “historical luxury” hotel that truly embodies New Orleans’ past and present in everything they do. The history and culture of NOLA were the inspiration for the new identity. Elements were pulled from the historic French and Spanish architecture and the stories of Jules Mazarin and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville (the founder of New Orleans) to create a brand experience that educates and enchants its customers, including a customized font and patterns. Today, New Orleans is often referred to as the “most unique city in America” with its vibrant and colorful structures, bizarre nightlife and rich cultural influences. The quirkiness of this tropical, lively city is pulled into the brand’s tone through colors, icons, and typography to create a voice that finally stands out among its competition.