The Lone Star State is big, bold and very welcoming. Spend time among the glittering skyscrapers of the city and the traditional ranches of the countryside. Explore world-class museums, award-winning restaurants and a unique nightlife scene (have your stetson at the ready). Once you’ve had your fill of the urban glitz, take a trip out to the Hill Country, where you’ll find charming towns like Fredericksburg, taste award-winning wines and take in the breathtaking scenery. Or, if you’re looking for adventure, head to Big Bend National Park, where you can hike through the Chihuahuan Desert and marvel at the rugged beauty of the Rio Grande.
Austin
The Westin Austin Downtown
Stay within walking distance of the Austin Convention Center and the vibrant 6th Street entertainment district, downtown at The Westin. There are 326 guest rooms and suites; dining options, including Stella San Jac for eclectic Austin-American food and the Azul Rooftop Pool Bar + Lounge for cocktails and light bites; a gym; a rooftop pool; and a spa. Operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts, the hotel is popular with business travellers, boasting over 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, several smaller meeting rooms and a business centre.
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Book one of the 294 bedrooms at the Four Seasons, where you can enjoy bespoke experiences such as a rooftop beekeeping tour and a culinary excursion exploring Austin’s food scene. Or eat in-house on Latin-inspired dishes at Ciclo, from a US menu at Live Oak, or alfresco at the poolside grill. Maintain your fitness and wellness at the state-of-the-art gym, with a dip in the heated outdoor pool and whirlpool and with treatments at the spa. Those needing to keep up to date on work, can take advantage of a business centre. The Four Seasons also provides valet parking and a gift shop.
Fairmont Austin
1,048 bedrooms, a gym, a gift boutique and five restaurants (including an upscale steakhouse and a sushi bar) are spread across the 37 stories of this mammoth, central hotel. Hang out in the lobby lounge, or at the heated outdoor pool terrace, where you’ll also find a hot tub. Relax in one of the spa’s solariums, with a saline soaking pool, a eucalyptus steam grotto and a European dry heat sauna and book a treatment performed using organic products. Try your hand at cocktail-making or gingerbread-baking with a class, watch a light show, jump on a house bike to tour the city and listen to the in-house live music sessions. Set beside Palm Park and Waller Creek, the hotel has a particularly green outlook.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
Built in 1928 by Commodore Edgar Perry and his wife, Lutie, as their private residence, this estate has since been converted into a boutique hotel. Its architecture was influenced by Mediterranean and Georgian styles, incorporating 10 acres of gardens, courtyards, fountains and a Slim Aarons-inspired outdoor pool. The interiors have been restored to their original grandeur, reimagined by the renowned designer Ken Fulk, evoking the whimsical character of a bygone era. Found in the Hancock neighbourhood, it’s a tranquil and secluded retreat (with an onsite Art Noveau restaurant), yet provides easy access to Austin’s attractions.
Dallas
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
One of the most celebrated hotels in the city, this five-star establishment boasts architecture like a swish hacienda. Indeed this is a former mansion, as its name would suggest and dates back to the art deco era. Inside are custom made furnishings, marble floors, stained glass windows, and hand-carved fireplaces; sumptuous rooms come with the Rosewood chain’s own range of Natura Bissē bath products. There’s a fitness suite as well as the Mansion House Restaurant serving fine French-meets-American cuisine inside. While outside is a pool and the Terrace dining area.
Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas
Somewhat of an exclusive country club, this particular Four Seasons Resort is found a little away from the hub of activity. En route to Fort Worth, in a leafy suburb of Las Colinas, it places guests close to the lakeside and the locale’s fancy shops and eateries. But there are amenities galore onsite. Three pools (one with a pseudo beach, one that spans 25,000-square-feet), 12 tennis courts, a triple deck Sports Club, a kids club, an 18-hole golf course, two restaurants and a bar. 431 rooms are decorated in muted, earthy colours, with a classic, upscale style.
The Ritz Carlton Dallas
If you’re seeking a luxury base in the city centre, look no further than the Ritz. Spread over 21 storeys, the 14-year-old property close to the uptown, has over 200 bedrooms. Afternoon tea is a longstanding tradition at the international chain and in Dallas, it’s served in the lobby lounge. Guests can take the healing waters of the enormous spa, and book a treatment in one of its 12 therapy rooms, swim in the elevated outdoor pool, and dine in the superb Fearing’s Restaurant – one of the top culinary establishments in town. And pets are welcome to stay too.
W Dallas – Victory
The modern W brand attracts the young and trendy, and in Dallas, the hotel has taken on a ‘Cowboy Cool’ vibe. Located in the downtown area across from the American Airlines Center and next to Victory Park, it has a 24/7 FIT gym, the AWAY Spa, the rooftop WET® deck infinity pool area and a Living Room Bar. In recent weeks, it’s also added, Villa Azur, a chic and glamorous French Riviera-inspired restaurant. Each room comes with a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a minibar, a snack box and round the clock room service, with most offering city views. Like the Ritz-Carlton, this is a pet-friendly property.
Fairmont Dallas
At the heart of the Arts District, the Fairmont is a cosmopolitan 545 bedroom hotel. Inside is a Starbucks coffee shop and the Pyramid Restaurant. Many ingredients used in the latter, come from the hotel’s incredible rooftop garden. Here fresh herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested onsite, ensuring a roof to table dining ethos! It’s the longest-running AAA / Four Diamond restaurant in the city, with a sophisticated and glamorous ambience. Also found on the rooftop, is a junior olympic sized pool surrounded by comfy lounge chairs, a kids’ pool, and a bar serving lighter meals.
Hotel Crescent Court
A real highlight of the Hotel Crescent Court is one of the the famed Nobu restaurants – a brand that’s pioneered the most innovative Japanese cuisine in the west. Along with Nobu’s signature dishes, you’ll find Texan influenced plates, like Scallops with Jalapeño Salsa and Ranchero Rib Eye Steak. There’s also The Conservatory for daytime dining, a cafe serving Starbucks branded coffee and The Crescent Club, an exclusive private dining venue open solely to residents. This 35 year old establishment in uptown Dallas also has over 200 bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and Molton Brown toiletries, a pool and a 22,000 square foot wellness centre.
Houston
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
Opened in March 2018, this uptown property is owned by the Texan billionaire Tilman Fertitta and is part of the Landry’s Inc. portfolio. It offers 250 guest rooms, including 22 luxury suites ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet and with panoramic views of the city. Dining options include Mastro’s Steakhouse, Willie G’s Seafood and Bloom & Bee, a modern American bistro. The hotel also features a full-service spa, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool and 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom and multiple smaller venues.
The St. Regis Houston
Found in the exclusive River Oaks neighbourhood, The St. Regis Houston has been in business for a little over four decades. 232 guest rooms exude classic elegance, with fine linens and marble bathrooms. Suites provide separate living areas and bedrooms, some with the famed St Regis butler service included. Guests can tuck into modern American food crafted using locally sourced ingredients, at the award-winning Remington Restaurant. And for a nightcap, there’s The Remington Bar, renowned for its extensive selection of rare and vintage spirits. The sophisticated retreat includes a heated outdoor pool and a holistic spa.
Four Seasons Hotel Houston
From Uptown, to Downtown and The Four Seasons, which first opened its doors in the same year as the St Regis. Here you’ll find the acclaimed Quattro Restaurant, with its menu of modern Italian cuisine, and the Vinoteca Wine Bar, for a large selection of wines and light bites. Its spa provides treatments such as brightening facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels, as well as a hair salon, a relaxation lounge, a steam room and a sauna. A pool area with sofas, palm trees and family amenities can be enjoyed on the terrace and on the first floor, are the unique Topgolf Swing Suites, for a round of indoor simulated golf with food by Bayou & Bottle. Choose a room on a higher floor (of the 404 including 63 suites available) for stunning views of the city skyline.
San Antonio
Hotel Emma San Antonio
Named after Emma Koehler, the former president of the Pearl Brewery, this hotel is found in the downtown area within the Pearl Brewery complex, within walking distance of city attractions. Its decor and design reflect the industrial heritage of the building, with high ceilings, exposed brick walls and custom-made furniture. There’s a fitness centre, a library and a swimming pool on the rooftop, and complimentary bicycles for guests to explore the city on their own. Enjoy some onsite destination dining at Supper, the farm-to-table restaurant and drinks at the Sternewirth bar and lounge.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Set on 600 acres of rolling hills, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has over 1000 bedrooms. The resort offers several dining options, including Cibolo Moon, a Southwestern-style restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the 18 Oaks Steakhouse for prime Texan cuts; and the High Velocity sports bar. Guests can luxuriate at the world-class spa, or take part in outdoor activities; two championship golf courses, a water park with multiple pools and a lazy river and a zip line course are all onsite and yoga/fitness classes are provided.
The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio
Built in 1909, The St. Anthony has been sensitively restored to preserve its original elegance and charm. Retaining original marble floors, crystal chandeliers and ornate plasterwork, it’s no surprise that this has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Inside are 277 bedrooms, The Loggia (a casual all-day restaurant), the Haunt Lounge (for handcrafted cocktails and small plates) and a stunning ballroom. On the rooftop, you’ll find a pool and bar with breathtaking views of the city. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby Pearl Brewery complex.
Mokara Hotel & Spa
Situated along the River Walk, The Mokara Hotel & Spa accommodates its guests in 99 rooms and suites. The spa here is undoubtedly a highlight, with private treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge and a couples’ suite. Its wellness offer also includes a fitness centre and an outdoor heated pool. The hotel has two dining options: Ostra, a seafood restaurant and the Rooftop Bar, for prime views of the River Walk and the surrounding city. Far-reaching views can also be enjoyed from the rooftop swimming pool. And there’s a ground-level terrace leading right beside the water’s edge, overlooking a pretty stone bridge.