“Floreat Domus de Eliot.” You don’t even have to know what the motto means—Let Flourish the House of Eliot—to hear the grandeur and prestige Eliot House exudes. “In the ’30s and ’40s and ’50s it was known as an elitist House,” said House Master Gail A. O’Keefe, “but that’s long ago and far away.” All the same, Eliot maintains an aura of preeminence that has freshmen clamoring for a spot in its hallowed halls. Once officially Eliotites, students begin to see there’s more to the House than just the myth—they love their home not for its clout but for its community.

In Eliot, you won’t hear “singles for life” so often as you will “singles for seniors.” As former HoCo Chair Jayshlyn D. Acevedo ’14 said, this kind of situation is “very classic River.” Sophomores in Eliot often get saddled with n-1 housing, which means some students relive their freshman year experiences of bunk beds and sexile. Even those who get singles often end up in walkthroughs.

But, said Acevedo, housing quality “increases exponentially every year.” Most juniors live in n housing, and seniors are rewarded for their patience with n+1 suites. Senior Eliotites can look forward to calling one of the House’s famous party suites home: Ground Zero and the Cockpit connect through B and C entryways, which allows them lots of floor space for throwing down. The Cockpit also comes equipped with an Eliot-crested beer pong table, so the residents’ opponents can always remember they’re inferior during a game.

All in all, Eliot housing starts from the bottom, but by senior year you’re right where you want to be—with a River view, a spacious single, and the shield of Harvard’s most recognizable House on your $600 class ring. Classic Harvard.

Speaking of recognizable, students rarely go a day in Eliot without catching sight of House Masters O’Keefe and husband Doug A. Melton. HoCo Chair and inactive Crimson editor Megan B. Prasad ’15 said, “Any meal you eat in the dining hall, you see Doug and Gail. You really feel like they are your parents away from home—you can always go to them if you need anything.” Beat that, Kirkland.

The House staff, according to residents, lives up to the same high standard the House Masters set. “Dave or Maria at the grill will make me something when I miss lunch even if it’s past 2:30,” said Prasad. Like Dave and Maria, Acevedo noted, dining-hall swiper Grace “is a real part of the community, and she knows everyone’s name.” In fact, Grace never fails to a greet a hungry Eliotite with a “Hi sweetie!” before ushering him or her into the servery just off the wood-paneled, classically Harvardian dining hall.

While Eliot’s dining hall fare is nothing to scoff at, the Masters make sure to provide other culinary curiosities. “We have our Holiday Cookie Extravanganza, which is legendary,” said O’Keefe. Melton and O’Keefe also always make sure to have fruit and cheese platters at these events, which are designed “to bring people together in a relaxed way and give them good food.”

Eliot has also earned the distinction of being the only House to require that its members pay $65 in dues. This fee allows students admittance to Eliot’s storied formals, but thankfully those eligible can look to the Student Events Fund to offset the sum. These dues only add to Eliot’s reputation as the most exclusive non-club on campus.

Your friends will be jealous because you live in Eliot. Just say the word, and a look of awe and not so slight resentment will wash over their faces.

Eliot is the only House that has tacked an extra formal on to the traditional two: September Soirée may brighten the ever-shortening fall days, and Winter Formal might add holiday cheer to the bleakness of midterms, but it’s Spring Fête that really wows. “It’s the best party of the entire year,” said Acevedo. “It’s so perfect.” With the Charles reflecting the sunset in the background and ice sculptures adorning the fore, students don tuxedos and gowns as they sip a signature cocktail and swallow chocolate-covered strawberries. But really, Eliot isn’t pretentious. We swear.

After all, what’s more plain, simple, and rugged than a woodshop? Eliot has one in its basement, along with a photography darkroom, a movie theater called the Golden Arm, and a grill called the Inferno. And that woodshop? Each year, its tutors craft diploma frames for every Eliot senior made out of the same wood as the dining hall tables. “You leave Eliot with a little piece of your home at Harvard when you graduate,” said Prasad.

Athletes in particular can rejoice to hear that Eliot residents gain swipe access to the House’s back gate, just steps from the Weld Boathouse and minutes from facilities across the river. If you’re on a team, varsity or club, that saves you precious travel time. And if you’re not, it gives you added incentive—or pressure—to get your workout on. How else will you shed the pounds you put on from all your Eliot pampering?

Eliot can’t claim the same proximity to classes in the Yard as Lowell and Adams might, and the scientifically-inclined in particular must take pains to wake up early enough to make it on time to the labs up Oxford Street.

What’s more, sophomore housing can cause friction and frustration among roommates—cramped space, low ceilings, and lack of natural light do little to lessen the insidious Seasonal Affective Disorder. Plus, when you’re feeling SAD, it’s hard to inspire much pity given Eliot’s transcendent reputation.

Seriously, though, you’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. You’re living in Eliot. Quit whining.