Houston hotels

I make an effort to find places right in the heart of a city because that’s where I feel most alive. One of my top choices, especially when I’m looking to treat myself, is The Lancaster Hotel, one of the luxury hotels in downtown Houston.
This hotel is a treat for architecture enthusiasts who will love the Regency-style interiors. However, it’s not style over substance at the Lancaster, which boasts over a century of service and hospitality. The hotel’s intimate vibe means you’ll feel perfectly at home in any of its 93 unique rooms. Spacious artist suites that come with a separate living room are perfect to evoke the muse.
But perhaps the loveliest room of all is the Playwright Penthouse Suite, which features arched windows and a built-in bookcase that holds a variety of literature, from poetry to manuscripts.

When I travel, I like to embrace my inner foodie. So, it’s natural that one of my picks for top hotels in Houston is the Blossom Hotel, a lunar-inspired boutique hotel perfect for culinary-conscious travelers. The new 13th-floor restaurant, Hibiscus, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is an ode to farm-to-table fusion cuisine.
Dishes like chili wontons, artisanal salads, and salmon will appeal to the wellness-minded. The rooms are particularly spacious and sunlit, pet-friendly (because no one wants to leave their furry friend at home!), and feature high-end amenities.
I love testing the gym in just about every place I go, and this hotel checks all the boxes on that front, with a fitness center outfitted by Peloton. It’s the perfect place to work up an appetite!

If you’re looking for somewhere extra special to rest your head, book a room at The Post Oak Hotel. Located in uptown Houston and spread across 10 acres, it’s the city’s only AAA Five Diamond property. The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into the lobby is the vast Swarovski crystal chandelier sparkling above your head, perfectly in keeping with the hotel’s elegant ambience.
The 250 rooms are just as refined, with plush furnishings and high-end amenities. Those looking to really splash out should go for the two-level Penthouse Suite, which comes with its own private elevator.
Make sure you visit the well-equipped spa during your stay, where cutting-edge treatments include a session with a “biohacking” facial machine – the only one in Texas – which exfoliates, brightens, and smooths in just one session.

When it comes to rooms with a view, this hotel doesn’t disappoint. Situated just steps away from key downtown attractions, including the Houston Grand Opera and Sam Houston Park, you’re surrounded by all of the city’s main sights. Due to its proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center, it’s very popular with the business crowd, but leisure travelers love it too thanks to its stylish suites and heated outdoor pool.
You won’t go hungry here: there are plenty of dining options to choose from, including my top pick, Shula’s Steak House (founded by football coaching legend Don Shula), which has an excellent menu and selection of craft beer.
If that doesn’t do the trick, there are two more onsite restaurants: the chic LobbiBar for cocktails and hand-crafted dishes, and Einstein Bros. Bagels for a quick snack on-the-go.

You can practically feel the zen vibes as soon as you walk into this hotel, where every space is flooded with natural light, from the airy lobby to each of the 354 rooms. No wonder, then, that the hotel was recently awarded AAA Four Diamonds.
Alongside a soothing, neutral color palette, the rooms are filled with thoughtful touches and luxury amenities like Byredo Bal d’Afrique toiletries. Global travelers are particularly drawn to the 24/7 business center and the Mediterranean cuisine on offer at the onsite Safina restaurant.
The hotel also provides easy access to Houston’s multiple cultural attractions, including the Museum District (the Museum of Fine Arts is a must-visit) and the NRG Stadium, home to the Houston Texans football team.

This centrally located hotel – right across from the popular Galleria mall, Texas’ largest shopping destination – is a failsafe option for families thanks to its proximity to both the Houston Zoo and Downtown Aquarium.
Add in the fact that there’s an outdoor rooftop pool with great views over the city and it’s a guaranteed hit for both kids and adults alike. The spacious rooms are sleek and contemporary while still being very comfortable, with neural color palettes, separate living areas, and flat screen televisions. I particularly love the curated selection of art that lines the walls.
The hotel also has a distinct foodie vibe, with great coffee available at JW Market (ideal for fueling the day’s sight-seeing) and the onsite restaurant, Stray Horse, dishing up Texan-Latin fusion food.

When it comes to boutique hotels in Houston, this luxury four-star property in the Museum District has to be my top pick. Each of the 159 rooms features eclectic décor and a distinctive headboard that’s practically a work of art in its own right – my favorites have butterflies flitting across them, while others are rich, baroque, and ornate in their detailing.
The concept suites take the hotel’s artistic vibe one step further, whether you choose to stay in the nautical-inspired Beach House or the color-filled Havana. Elsewhere, you’ll find well-stocked shelves of books and movies, as well as a chic outdoor pool.
There are two restaurants to choose from: the Tipping Point, with gorgeous al fresco dining options, and the poolside Beach Club – don’t leave without ordering “A Trip to Cabo”, made with Mezcal Verde Amarás, fresh pineapple, cucumber juice, and tajin.

My watchwords when I travel include “convenience” and “luxury”, and this 200-room hotel, located less than a ten-minute walk from the Main Street Square Metrorail Station, has both in spades.
The spacious rooms make it the ideal spot for the whole family – and the rooftop pool will certainly go down well with the kids – while Astros fans will love that it’s right across the street from the ballpark.
For an upscale meal, you can’t go wrong with Vic & Anthony’s Houston, which offers Midwest grain-fed beef and desserts and is praised as one of the best restaurants in the city. For something a little less formal, try the casual yet classy Ballpark Café or the Ballpark Bar, which serves up beautifully crafted cocktails.

It may sound a little daunting with its 1,200 rooms, but I loved my stay at the largest convention center hotel in Downtown Houston because it truly offers something for everyone. Work desks and speedy connectivity are a given, while other conveniences like an onsite ATM, complimentary newspapers in the lobby and in-room refrigerators ensure you have everything you need at your fingertips.
Add in the fact that the hotel has several restaurants and an indoor lap- and whirlpool and you may never want to leave. For maximum ease the hotel also has a roundtrip airport shuttle (for a fee).
For some rest and relaxation, I highly recommend the Skyline Spa & Health Club on the 23rd floor, which features a steam room and dry sauna, as well as first-class manicures and pedicures.

This gem in Downtown Houston manages to blend the efficiency of a business hotel with the eye-catching beauty of a boutique art hotel, making it easy to juggle both work and play during a stay here. Located in one of the key skyscrapers in the city and within walking distance of attractions like Minute Maid Park, the hotel combines historic Art Deco architecture with modern convenience (hello free Wi-Fi) and cozy touches like the welcoming fireplace in the lobby.
The minimally stylish rooms feature spa-inspired bathrooms with Bluetooth mirrors and gym enthusiasts will appreciate the fact that the fitness center is open 24 hours a day.
I recommend trying the delicious cooked-to-order breakfasts (well worth the extra fee) and, for the evening, The Rig restaurant is my top pick as a place to unwind with a craft cocktail over dinner.