Origin Hotel Opens in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – Origin Hotel Baton Rouge, a Wyndham Hotel, opened today following an extensive transformation led by Tandem Hospitality Group and The Thrash Group in partnership with Benson Capital Partners. Located downtown in a historic 68-year-old building steps away from top destination attractions, the new boutique lifestyle hotel features 87 rooms, a rooftop deck with a bird’s eye view of the downtown area, an all-day Cajun-Creole restaurant, a Sweet Baton Rouge® retail area with one-of-a-kind local products and a rotating calendar of events. Designed for explorers, by explorers, the hotel invites guests to venture out, find balance in their day-to-day and connect with others.

“We are thrilled to join the Baton Rouge community by providing an authentic and engaging hospitality experience to locals and travelers alike,” says Jacob Van Winkle, president of Tandem Hospitality Group. “Baton Rouge is the bustling epicenter of Southern Louisiana with a variety of historic attractions, arts and culture, and year-round events. Our hope is to create a gathering place where people can feel in tune with each other and the surrounding environment, becoming a portal into the local scene.”

INSPIRED DESIGN

Listed in the city’s National Register of Historic Places, the five-story hotel was originally the Baton Rouge Savings & Loan Association, opened in 1955, before reopening as the esteemed East Baton Rouge Arts and Technology School. The hotel’s history was an inspiration for Ferriss & Company, the design studio who blended its original influences with new age mid-century modern elements and deep jewel tones, creating warm and inviting spaces throughout. Local fixtures like life-size alligators as overhead lighting and croc-patterned wallpaper were also woven throughout the hotel’s public areas, fostering an environment where guests create memories, relax and connect. For an additional touch, an original 1955 carved limestone relief on the side of the building was restored and relocated as a focal art piece in the hotel.

Guestrooms are polished and playful with inspired décor like classic bankers’ lamps and leather-trimmed headboards as well as tiger-patterned wallpaper, an unmistakable reference to Louisiana State University. Wall-to-wall windows overlook the city’s canopy of live oaks, creating a serene and stylish atmosphere to rest and recharge with in-room amenities like a Nespresso coffee machine, mini-fridge and a freshly made Praline welcome treat – a regional staple.

In addition to a 24/7 fitness center and private rooftop deck offering unrivaled Baton Rouge views, the top floor also features spacious suites like the Bunk Suite, which sleeps up to eight people with two bedrooms including a king bed and four twin bunk beds as well as a spacious living area with a sleeper sofa and fully furnished balcony. Throughout the hotel are two additional specialty bunk rooms, inspired by LSU alumni Joe Burrow and Pete Maravich with their photos adorning the walls, which sleep up to 6 people with a king bed and four twin bunk beds.

WELL FED AND WELL ENTERTAINED

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the hotel’s all-day café Passé pays homage to the flavors of South Louisiana with elevated breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that dive into Cajun-Creole classics with a French-inspired twist like Cajun Chicken Fricassee, Seafood Beignets, and Niçoise Salad. The ambiance echoes the historical tapestry of Baton Rouge with warm wood textures, aged finishes and playful colorscapes of deep mahogany and mixtures of stripes and polka dots. For a morning pick-me-up, guests can grab a café au lait in Passé’s coffee bar, featuring coffee from local roaster City Roots, and in the evening, a seasonal meal where Cajun meets Creole. To make reservations, guests can call 225-224-0022 or book online at https://www.passebatonrouge.com/.

Ideal for corporate retreats and intimate social events, 1,740-sq.-ft. of meeting and event space includes the lobby-adjacent Payne Meeting Roomdesigned for small to mid-sized events for up to 50 guests, the Bon Temps Private Dining Room within Passé for luncheons, dinners and parties for up to 25 guests, and the soon-to-be sought after Eye in the Sky Roof Deck private event space with a built-in bar and a bird’s eye view of Tiger Stadium for up to 35 guests. Catering is available onsite by Passé.

AUTHENTIC PORTAL INTO BATON ROUGE

Travelers looking to venture out and uncover destination treasures will find the hotel an ideal home base due to its central location. With expert itineraries curated by the on-site team, guests can dine at the city’s hottest restaurants, explore the great outdoors and sightsee at some of the South’s most historic places nearby, like the beautiful Oak Tree filled campus of LSU and Louisiana’s Old State Capital.  Onsite, a variety of rotating programming is offered from stretch-and-sip yoga with Leela Yoga Lifestyle and DIY crafting with Unapologetic Healing to themed brunches and happy hours at Passé. Those traveling with their best furry friends can add-on the Pup Pack ($50) to receive a local pup guide and custom dog-toy, branded placemat with dog bowls, comfortable dog bed and locally made dog treats. Complimentary enhancements include the Kids Adventure Kit, an indoor camping experience with teepee, sleeping bags and starry night light, and the Gaiam Yoga Kit, offering an in-room yoga mat, instructional card and towel.

Through 3/31/2024, guests can book the hotel’s Grand Opening Package which includes a min. 2-night stay for 24% off the best available rate, $25 dining credit to Passé and an Origin Hotel Baton Rouge tote bag filled with local goodies from Sweet Baton Rouge and Oxbow Rum Distillery. AtPassé, enjoy a limited-time grand opening cocktail menu in partnership with Oxbow that includes themed cocktails like “Field of Dreams”, “Mississippi River Mule” and “Oxbow Old Fashioned” – all with Oxbow Small Batch Rum.

Rates at Origin Hotel Baton Rouge begin at $179 per night and guestrooms can be booked online at www.originhotel.com/hotels/baton-rouge or by calling (225) 224-0022.