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Haute Hotels Hit the City

The perfect spots to relax in style

Houston's spoiled when it comes to stylish hotels - from modern properties with a hopping social scene to one that's all green. Read on for the scoop on the latest to join the city, as well as those fresh from renovation.

The Four Seasons Hotel Houston features newly-revamped guest rooms, a resort-style pool area and a grand lobby.

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Embassy Suites
In 2011, American Liberty Hospitality opened the 262-room Embassy Suites-Houston Downtown on Dallas Avenue near Discovery Green park and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The full-service hotel features two-room suites with a separate living area, 6,000 square feet of meeting space, rooftop swimming pool, spa and fitness center, restaurant and wine bar.

Westin Houston, Memorial City
Also in 2011, west Houston made room for the 267-room Westin Houston, Memorial City hotel on the southwest corner of I-10 and Gessner Road. The property features 29,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, an infinity pool, fitness facility, and guest rooms with spacious work tables and the company's Heavenly Bed and Bath collections.

Hyatt Place
One of Hyatt Hotel & Resort's newest concepts, the Hyatt Place opened in late 2010, in Sugar Land's Lake Pointe Town Center. Conveniently set just steps away from shopping and dining options, the 214-room property brings guests 42-inch HD-TVs, the Hyatt Plug Panel system that enables visitors to connect portable media devices to the TV and 24-hour access to a Guest Kitchen.

La Maison in Midtown
Houston's trendy inner-loop area continues to evolve with the addition of La Maison in Midtown. Inspired by the architecture of New Orleans, the three-story B&B - which opened in fall 2010 - features seven unique and well-appointed guest rooms with amenities such as whirpool tubs, walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, bath robes and wi-fi. Downstairs, a parlor, living room and dining room area lends to the property's cozy, at-home vibe and plays host to a daily, Southern-style breakfast offering.

The Monalisa Bar at Hotel Sorella

Avia
The Woodlands' popular Market Street-development gained 70 luxury rooms when the boutique hotel Avia opened in late 2009. Each of the contemporary-style guest rooms features upscale furnishings and accents. Avia also offers a wine bar, tasting kitchen and premium Dean and Deluca refreshments.

Embassy Suites Houston - Energy Corridor
In 2009, the 216-room Embassy Suites debuted in the already-bustling west Houston neighborhood. Each of the property's two-room suites feature private bedrooms with separate living areas, wet bars with refrigerators, access to the indoor pool and fitness center, as well as complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. The property is located near shopping centers and world-class dining.

aloft
Just blocks from The Galleria mall, the fresh aloft hotel concept added fresh energy to the shopping district when it opened in August 2009. The urban-inspired and budget-friendly concept - based on Starwood's chic W Hotel model - blends modern furniture and state-of-the-art technology with luxury amenities such as oversized spa showers, premium Bliss Spa products and 42-inch flat-screen televisions.

Element Houston Vintage Park
Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened its 123-room property in spring 2009, just 25 minutes northwest of downtown Houston. Set in the pedestrian-friendly Vintage Park center, the hotel is inspired by Starwood's Westin Hotel brand and features a fitness center, pool, technology center, library and 456 square feet of meeting space.

FRESH FACES

Hotel Icon
The 135-room Hotel Icon recently became part of the Marriott Autograph Collection and is in the midst of a $5 million renovation. The redesign - slated for completion in summer 2012 - will bring a more modern energy and sophistication to the more European-leaning, grand dame. Representative of "today's Texas," the vibe promises to be inviting and unpretentious. The hotel also opened its new Line & Lariat restaurant in fall 2011.

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
In early 2011, the Marriott-branded property unveils $6.2-million enhancements to its 226 guest rooms, seven suites and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. The calming, nature-inspired redesign incorporates mint green hues and rich chocolate browns with new lighting, furniture, art packages and spa-like bathrooms.

La Colombe d'Or
Just in time for its 30th birthday, the warmly-inviting La Colombe d'Or put the final touches on its extensive renovation and restoration efforts that start in the lobby, extend into the restaurant and continue throughout the hotel. Dallas-based Vision Design partnered with the hotel to create a fresh look that still maintains the integrity of the nearly 90-year-old property. Expect newly-restored vintage wood-panels, reupholstered furniture and rich hardwoods that were, until recently, masked by carpet.

Hotel Sorella

Built in the heart of West Houston's new CityCentre development, the 244-room Hotel Sorella opened in 2009, offering guests cheery Italian-inspired suites with luxury linens, designer toiletries and state-of-the-art technology. Now, the hotel has expanded, transforming one of its two penthouse levels into 11 one- and two-bedroom suites for short and long-term guests. The premium accommodations boast panoramic views, luxury finishes and upgraded kitchens.

Spindletop restaurant at the Hyat

Hyatt Regency Houston
Two years after Hurricane Ike damaged forced the downtown hotel to close the doors on its sky-high Spindletop restaurant, the spinning structure is back open - complete with a new menu and $1.4-million renovation. Expect eye-catching 360-degree views of the city and fresh seafood items led by executive chef Jean Moysan.

Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Three years and $25 million later, downtown's Four Seasons Hotel is ready to impress with newly-revamped guest rooms, a resort-style pool area, a grand lobby and the hotel's exclusive apartments, all of which reflect the urban elegance and easy Southern charm of the city. The hotel has traded in the conventional furnishings and brass fixtures of the past, in favor of bold artwork, eye-catching flooring, four awe-inspiring chandeliers and an inviting teal-and-deep-olive-gray color scheme.

Hilton University of Houston
In spring 2010, the more than 30-year-old property - located on the tree-lined, 667-acre University of Houston campus - unveiled modifications it made as part of an extensive, $13 million renovation. Every detail, from the hotel's driveway and porte-cochere to the guestrooms and meeting facilities was redesigned with fresh, contemporary accents.

Hotel Galvez
The only historic hotel along the Texas Gulf Coast is celebrating its centennial in 2011 with newly-renovated accommodations and a commemorative book titled, The Hotel Galvez: Queen of the Gulf. The AAA four-diamond-rated property has added new furniture, bedding, drapes and flat-screen TVs, among other enhancements.  

By Natalie Bogan Morgan