Best Design Hotels in Texas

The C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel is conveniently situated in the heart of Houston, providing guests with easy access to the city’s main attractions and most desirable areas. The hotel is comprised of a collection of sophisticated and luminous guestrooms and suites with the most spacious being the top-floor Presidential Suite providing guests with unrivalled views over the city. On-site dining is made possible by the chic Lobby Bar, overlooking Allen Acre and serving creative cocktails over tempting dishes. The Parlour Hideaway is an exclusive and elegant private dining area offering happy hour, tasting events and wine nights. Guests don’t need to slow down in this hotel and are welcome to take their breakfast and lunch with them thanks to Good2Go. The hotel invites guests to take advantage of the 24-hour fitness facilities.

In the heart of the lively Museum District and downtown central business district, the Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District is the ideal place to stay, no matter what your reason for travel. The hotel offers comfortable and contemporary accommodation in the form of a lavish collection of guestrooms and suites and features the Magnificent Seven Suites including the expansive, 2,204sqft Black Label Suite with its grand balcony. On-site dining is available at the award-winning Monarch Bistro, Restaurant and Terrace serving breakfast, lunch and dinner while poolside dining and beverages is also available throughout the day. The hotel is home to a large, resort-style outdoor swimming pool. Guests are invited to make use of the relaxing and rejuvenating selection of spa and wellness facilities including ZaSpa treatments and an infrared sauna. This hotel is pet friendly.

Thompson Houston is a meticulously designed hotel that captures the essence of Texas heritage through its 172 custom-furnished guestrooms, including 34 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive en-suite bathrooms featuring marble vanities. Set in a modern glass and steel structure with curved lines by HOK, the hotel’s interior, crafted by Abel Design Group, showcases warm, earthy tones, organic materials, and hardwood floors, reflecting the natural beauty of nearby Buffalo Bayou Park. The hotel boasts a unique mid-century modern lobby on the seventh floor, offering panoramic views and a sophisticated design. It features the city’s expansive outdoor rooftop area, including a custom-tiled infinity pool, cabanas, and a large greenspace ideal for outdoor events and weddings.

Thompson Spa on the sixth floor offers a luxury spa experience with a range of treatments, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and a 24-hour fitness centre. Dining options include the all-day dining restaurant Sol 7, with rooftop seating for seasonal fare and creative cocktails. Adjacent to a 160-acre park, the hotel encourages outdoor activities and wellness with amenities like complimentary electric bicycles and hydration stations. Its location offers convenient access to Houston’s Galleria, River Oaks, downtown, the Museum District, sports venues, and is within a 25-minute drive from major airports.

Located in a rejuvenated A 1920s neo-Gothic landmark is the home to The Joule.  This 160-room property, captivates art enthusiasts from the start, with mid-century mosaics and a crystal-covered engine by Roger Hiorns gracing the entrance and curated artworks showcased throughout its public and private spaces. The Joule is ideally situated next to the Dallas Arts District and in the heart of the central business district which is renowned as a hub of urban culture. The Joule features a range of retail boutiques, top-tier culinary offerings, a world-class spa and an 8-foot cantilevered pool that extends over Main Street.

Hotel Emma, located in San Antonio’s historic Pearl District was originally established in 1894 as the Pearl Brewery, the building has been meticulously transformed into a 146-room riverfront hotel, preserving its industrial heritage while offering contemporary comforts. The décor combines industrial elements with sophisticated design, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. Accommodations range from well-appointed guest rooms to seven distinctive top-floor suites, each featuring plush furnishings, fine linens, and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy culinary delights at on-site establishments such as Supper, Larder, and Sternewirth, or relax by the year-round outdoor pool and fitness center. Situated adjacent to the River Walk and just 1.3 miles from The Alamo, Hotel Emma offers convenient access to San Antonio’s cultural and historical attractions, making it an ideal destination for discerning travelers seeking both luxury and a connection to the city’s vibrant past.

Occupying a prime position just moments from Seawall Boulevard and the Gulf of Mexico, Hotel Lucine transforms a classic 1960s roadside motel into a fresh and stylish coastal retreat. The design preserves the property’s original character while infusing it with mid-century details, locally sourced art and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of the hotel lies a sociable U-shaped courtyard with a heated outdoor pool, surrounded by a spacious sundeck dotted with loungers and shaded seating.

The 61 guest rooms are bright and thoughtfully designed, featuring soft pastel palettes, minimalist furniture and clever use of space. Each room includes plush bedding, air-conditioning, curated minibars, work areas, and either a private balcony or direct access to the pool courtyard. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers, premium toiletries and terrazzo finishes.

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.

Hotel Saint Augustine is a new property from Austin’s acclaimed hospitality group, Bunkhouse Hotels. The boutique hotel is located in Houston’s cultural Montrose neighbourhood and comprises 71 hotel rooms and suites which are set across five small two-story buildings that are connected by open air bridges, lushly landscaped courtyards and porches to create a residential feeling. Onsite amenities include a destination restaurant, an all-day lobby lounge and bar, listening room, an intimate event space, and a cloistered circular courtyard pool for guest use only.

The food and beverage venues are helmed by Houston’s well-known chef and restaurateur Aaron Bludorn and front-of-house partner, Cherif Mbodji, from the Augustine Lounge and Listening Room, offering an all day menu alongside a full bar to the premiere restaurant, Perseid, offering a take on the quintessential neighbourhood bistro paying homage to the global influencers defining Houston’s food and culture through the lens of the Gulf Coast with French influences.

W Austin, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, is the result of a multi-million dollar transformation which has been designed to be the city’s cultural hub for curious and free-spirited travellers. Located next to the iconic Austin City Limits Live venue in the 2nd Street District and just two blocks from Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails, W Austin provides convenient access to the many city attractions. The hotel comprises 251 stylishly designed guest rooms, including 32 suites and Penthouse I, the largest suite in downtown Austin. Bold colours, rich textures and stunning views of the city’s natural surroundings. Guests can enjoy a range of food and beverage options including; Serenade American Brasserie for dishes with Texan flavours and classic brasserie techniques, 2nd & Roast coffee shop for a morning pick me up, Blue Room the exclusive by-reservation cocktail bar and a cool Living Room where live music is often the centre focus. The W Austin is a premier destination that beautifully combines Austin’s urban energy with its natural allure.