Must-see hotels in Texas

  • Hotel Emma

    San Antonio

    Is steampunk-glam a thing? Going by this showcase hotel, originally a 19th-century brewhouse and now the centerpiece of the Pearl District, it most…

  • King William Manor

    San Antonio

    In a neighborhood known for beautiful old houses and B&Bs, this grand, Greek Revival mansion occupying a large corner lot still manages to stand out…

  • Hotel Van Zandt

    Austin

    Named for Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt, this Kimpton-run property impresses with the details. Touches like the French horn chandelier above…

  • Hotel San José

    Austin

    This 1930s-vintage motel has been revamped by celebrated local hotelier Liz Lambert to create a chic SoCo retreat. Stucco bungalows hold minimalist,…

  • The Driskill

    Austin

    Every city needs a beautiful historic hotel, ideally made from native stone and built by a 19th-century cattle baron. Although this one is now owned by…

  • Hotel ZaZa Houston

    Houston

    Hip, flamboyant and fabulous. From the bordello-esque colors to the zebra-accent chairs, everything about Hotel ZaZa is good fun. The standard rooms are…

  • Stockyards Hotel

    Fort Worth

    Opened in 1907, this fine old hotel celebrates its cowboy heritage with Western-themed art, 50-plus comfortable cowboy-inspired rooms and a grand Old West…

  • Adolphus

    Dallas

    Feel like royalty (yes, Queen Elizabeth has stayed here) the old-fashioned way. The 422-room Adolphus takes us back to the days when gentlemen wore ties…

  • City View Inn & Suites at Sunset Station

    San Antonio

    Just beyond I-37, a mile east of the Alamo and just two blocks from the Amtrak station, this skinny little three-story building is full of clean, modern…

  • Belmont Hotel

    Dallas

    Just 2 miles west of downtown, this stylish bungalow hotel makes a fabulously low-key antidote to Dallas' flashier digs. The whole structure is imbued…

  • The Lumen

    Dallas

    Yes, it would be hard for this ultramodern concrete reimagining of what was originally a 1960s motel, across from SMU, to live up to the local hype. But…

  • La Maison in Midtown

    Houston

    Relaxing on the wraparound porch at this purpose-built, urban inn, whether enjoying a breakfast feast or admiring the skyline views, you'll feel the…

  • Rosen House Inn

    Fort Worth

    Enjoy the outdoor pool in the garden of this beautiful Craftsman-style house in a historic neighborhood south of the center. The three rooms are very well…

  • Ogé House

    San Antonio

    Ogé Inn epitomizes the antebellum southern mansion: expansive, gazebo-graced grounds slope down to the riverfront, ancient pecan trees shade the lawns and…

  • South Congress Hotel

    Austin

    Austinites take their staycations at this boutique hotel, a smallish property that somehow squeezes four eateries, two bars, several shops and a pool into…

  • Austin Motel

    Austin

    Liz Lambert's Bunkhouse Group recently purchased this budget favorite, long known for its 'garage-sale chic' and wonderfully funky appeal. At press time,…

  • Best Western Plus – Austin City

    Austin

    Our favorite detail? The Texas-shaped waffles at the breakfast spread. Bordering I-35, south of Lady Bird Lake, this recently renovated Best Western is…

  • Habitat Suites

    Austin

    Locally owned and eco-friendly, this quiet place is tucked away just north of downtown, away from the hustle and bustle. The furnishings may be slightly…

  • Firehouse Hostel

    Austin

    Set in a former firehouse, right across from the historic Driskill hotel in downtown Austin, this spiffy hostel has been open since 2013 but feels as…

  • Lone Star Court

    Austin

    This stylish hotel, 9 miles north of downtown, exudes cowboy cool. Spacious rooms feature barn-style doors and retro refrigerators stocked with local…

  • Menger Hotel

    San Antonio

    Built next to the Alamo just 23 years after the famous battle, this historic hotel has hosted Oscar Wilde, Mae West and Teddy Roosevelt; at night, you…

  • Hotel St Cecilia

    Austin

    The hustle and bustle of South Congress melts away the moment you cross over onto the serene lawn graced by a 300-year-old live oak. Choose from a suite…

  • Omni La Mansion del Rio

    San Antonio

    This fabulous downtown property was born out of 19th-century religious school buildings in the Spanish-Mexican hacienda style. Set beside the River Walk,…

  • Riverwalk Vista

    San Antonio

    Soaring ceilings with enormous windows, exposed brick walls, crisp, white bedding – this is simplicity done right. And just because the decor is simple…

  • Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso – Airport

    El Paso

    Beside the I-10 and close to the airport, this place is busy. But cordial staff keep the ship sailing skillfully – with friendly reminders to enjoy the…

  • Crockett Hotel

    San Antonio

    No wonder pictures of the Alamo are always tightly cropped: pull back and you can see the Crockett's sign hovering just behind the fort. (In Texas, they…

  • Texas White House

    Fort Worth

    A large historic home with contemporary Texas style near downtown. The five rooms are well equipped and uniquely designed (many have claw-foot tubs). Top…

  • Mokara Hotel & Spa

    San Antonio

    If you really want to go all out, this luxurious hotel (formerly the Watermark) is a good place to get pampered, with top-of-the-line amenities and an on…

  • Emily Morgan Hotel

    San Antonio

    The name may sound as though this historic hotel, right behind the Alamo and now run by Hilton, will be awash in floral prints and lace runners, but it’s…

  • Miss Molly's Hotel

    Fort Worth

    Set in the heart of the Stockyards, eight-room Miss Molly's occupies a former bordello. Its heavily atmospheric vibe will feel authentic to some (Miss…

  • Aloft Houston Downtown

    Houston

    Housed in a historic commercial building downtown, the Aloft (a Marriott brand) offers modishly decorated rooms across 10 floors. It's been much…

  • Sam Houston Hotel

    Houston

    Sleek yet low-key, the smallish rooms at this historic, 10-story 1924 property have a contemporary all-gray decor, plus luxe features like plush towels,…

  • Hotel Icon

    Houston

    You can feel the history in the ornate red-and-gold lobby of this hotel, now part of the Marriott empire. A landmark bank building from 1911, it features…

  • Ashton Hotel

    Fort Worth

    This 39-room six-story boutique hotel in a turn-of-the-century building off Sundance Sq offers hush-hush elegance without an ounce of snootiness. Turndown…

  • Magnolia Hotel

    Houston

    Layered in luxurious velvet and damask, the 314 rooms in this downtown hotel are both stylish and comfortable. Built in 1926, this landmark building once…

  • Sara's Inn on the Boulevard

    Houston

    A 100-year-old Queen Anne Victorian feels right at home among the historic houses of the Heights. Eleven airy rooms say 'boutique hotel' more than 'frilly…

  • Magnolia Hotel

    Dallas

    Housed in the 29-story Magnolia Petroleum Company Building, dating from 1922, this elegant hotel offers a sumptuous stay. Period details in the sizable…

  • Hotel Ella

    Austin

    With its wraparound porch, Corinthian columns and commanding perch on Judge's Hill, this stately building is hands-down the most photogenic inn in town…

  • Westin La Cantera Resort

    San Antonio

    Standard rooms are elegant but on the small side, so you'll enjoy this resort most if you're willing to get out and take advantage of the five pools,…