It was our first time to New Orleans and I could not have been more excited. For our trip, we were invited to stay with Sonder, in one of their incredible furnished apartment rentals. After a three night stay, I wanted to share our Sonder review and just why we loved our experience.
When their tagline is “Taking Stay Further,” you know you’re in for a treat. Sonder has essentially taken everything there is to love about apartment rentals and a hotel stay, and combined it to create one incredible short-term rental experience.
[Thank you to Sonder for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are own.]
Sonder Review: Our New Orleans Stay
What makes Sonder different?
First off, it’s the curation component. Located in several cities from New Orleans, Boston, Rome, and more (see the full list here), they have hand selected each short-term rental. They look at a city from a livable, neighborhood angle where each apartment is somewhere you actually want to stay. As a guest, it gives you the ultimate opportunity to live like a local.
Secondly, they take the question out of the stay. Ever showed up and there is only one towel for two guests? None of that happens as Sonder operates each furnished rental by outfitting it with linens, good sheets, amenities like coffee, and more. Oh, and did I mention the 24-hour concierge service, only a text away? It’s the ultimate tech-driven hospitality.
How does Sonder work?
Similarly to most short-term rentals, you select your dates/location and book. Before arrival, you receive a code to get into your apartment and you’re all set. If there is no one in the apartment before/after you, there is flexibility for early check-in and late check-out, and the team can help coordinate. I loved how simple this process was and the communication was prompt and clear.
Here’s a look at our stay in New Orleans
Choosing this one bedroom flat in the Marigny district, I loved how the character in the apartment. We had a great location for exploring the city and could walk to most areas. Footsteps from all of the best jazz bars, we found ourselves amidst all of the action.
The apartment had brick walls, a bright kitchen, and pops of color — it was our dream space. With our time in New Orleans, we found ourselves returning back to the apartment frequently.
Afternoons we opened the doors to the terrace, would make coffee, and soak in the views. It was magical. The beds were a highlight — I can’t speak more highly of the comfort and there was a range of pillows to choose from on the bed as well. A clean bathroom with amenities like soap/shampoo was the final perfect touch.
It felt like we lived there which is one of my favorite feelings when traveling. Sonder sure knows how to combine the best of rentals and hotels.
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
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Xx,
Jessica
2 Comments
Seems like such a fun experience! Like an elevated Airbnb type vibe. I’d love to try this — and visit New Orleans for the first time. Def on the bucket list! xx
Definitely recommend!