9 fantastic Houston hotels for your next visit

Luxury Houston hotels and resorts

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Once the residence of former President George H.W. Bush, The Houstonian sits on 18 acres of prime Texas woodland, yet is less than a mile from Memorial Park Golf Course, 2.6 miles from The Galleria and 7 miles from downtown Houston. The historic lodge feel of the accommodations meets thoroughly modern standards with amenities like miles of jogging trails, tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, pool, rock climbing wall and the largest spa in the state. There are also several on-site eateries, including Tribute which serves what they’ve dubbed Tex-Lex—a blend of Texas, Louisiana and Mexican food inspired by regional specialties.

Find it: 111 N. Post Oak Lane, Houston, TX 77024; 713-680-2626

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Texas’ only Forbes 5-Star Hotel and Spa and Houston’s only AAA Five-Diamond destination, The Post Oak is luxury defined. Its 38 stories overlook the Uptown and Galleria neighborhoods (plus offer helicopter access), yet offer what feels like a retreat from the bustling city. Suites offer deluxe bathrooms, Acqua di Parma toiletries, Egyptian cotton linens and towels and Nespresso coffee makers. The hotel also boasts a 20,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center with Peloton bikes and personal trainers and a pool deck with cabanas and fire pits. Nine on-site dining options range from coffee to craft cocktails, to room service breakfast, to white tablecloth steak dinners.

Find it:1600 W. Loop S., Houston, TX 77027; 844-386-1600

Hotel Granduca Houston

Italianate details make this award-winning resort feel like it’s a world away instead of a few miles off the West Loop in Houston's Uptown Park neighborhood. The Hotel Granduca says benvenuto with a range of accommodations including a selection of suites and residences that include full kitchens and living spaces—some designed for longer stays—with the look and feel of an Italian villa. The hotel features Acqua di Parma toiletries, a heated saltwater pool, hot tub and fitness center in a secluded courtyard and offers local transportation in their Maserati and high tea with an Italian twist.

Find it: 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston, TX 77056; 713-418-1000

Moderately priced Houston hotels and resorts

The Whitehall 

A 1963 mid-century modern landmark in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood, The Whitehall features 259 rooms which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2016. The hotel features a pool deck surrounded by cabanas, an outdoor patio lounge and eatery, Part & Parcel, plus common spaces with a classy "Mad Men" vibe. Its affordable package offers a few touches you’d expect from higher-end competitors—craft cocktails made with their private label bourbon, Edgar’s Truth; cookies and milk in the rooms (along with concierge service); art from the Savannah College of Art & Design; and a curated playlist called Sotherly Radio.

Find it: 1700 Smith St., Houston, TX 77002; 888-974-7641

Blossom Houston Hotel

Houston’s newest four-diamond boutique hotel, Blossom Houston, has 267 pet-friendly rooms minutes from the city’s top museums and Hermann Park (accessible with the hotel’s free shuttle). With inspired interior spaces that harness natural light, its lobby features a luxe library space accented with wingback chairs, while its rooftop pool overlooks the cityscape from 16 stories up. The hotels' gym has Peloton equipment and its restaurants are helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. 

7118 Bertner Ave.
Houston, TX 77030
832-734-8888

Lancaster Hotel 

The 1926 brick tower that houses the Lancaster Hotel lends a historic elegance to an affordable Houston hotel option. Set in the city’s Theater District and just minutes from several Houston-area attractions, the hotel is decorated with artworks from over 200 Texas artists including Judd and Rauschenberg. The hotel offers Bulgari toiletries, Frette linens and a fitness room outfitted with Pelotons, as well as a complimentary wine happy hour, gourmet breakfast buffet, restaurant and bar and in-room and private dining options. 

Find it: 701 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002; 713-228-9500

Budget Houston hotels and resorts

Hotel Ylem

Pronounced ahy-luh-m, Hotel Ylem, a 79-room boutique hotel located near the NRG Arena, Rice University and the Medical Center offers something off the beaten path for guests looking for a unique place to stay at an affordable price. Modern, hip and artsy, a mural graces one outside wall while indoors, a Spanish-style staircase is the main attraction in the lobby. Also in the lobby: plenty of space to work solo or meet up (ideal for digital nomads who will find a business center among the perks). The hotel also offers a free complimentary breakfast bar, cocktail lounge and fitness center. Rooms feature in-room espresso machines and boho touches like work from local artists. But best of all, Hotel Ylem has a philanthropic mission, collaborating with local nonprofits and small businesses. 

Find it: 8080 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77025; 713-665-4439

South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center

Located closer to Galveston than The Galleria, the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center is a great Houston resort option that’s not far from the city. Located a half-hour drive from downtown Houston and minutes from the Kemah Boardwalk, the resort sits on the waterfront of Clear Lake. Enjoy waterfront dining, boating excursions and a 185-foot-long pool, which features a swim-up bar and cabanas. Black and white striped decor plus marina and lake views add a touch of elegance and a nautical feel to the resort.

Find it: 2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, TX 77573; 281-334-1000

Heights House Hotel

In the Brooke Smith neighborhood on the edge of the Heights, a former motel received a new lease on life as the funky, retro-chic Heights House Hotel. After a total gut in 2019 and a year-long renovation of the former Astro Inn, the 133-room inn resulted. The property features an umbrella-flanked pool deck with a mural that reads “Good Vibes Only,” a bar featuring pool-apropos boat drinks and a lawn area with fire pits and Acapulco chairs and space for yoga classes. The lobby, which retained its A-frame structure, is decorated in sleek, contemporary furnishings, giving the landmark a mid-mod feel that has been refreshed for decades to come.

Find it: 100 W. Cavalcade St., Houston, TX 77009; 713-869-7121