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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.

ON THE HORIZON

Westin Houston Downtown
The Inn at the Ballpark, located across the street from Minute Maid Park, will rebrand as the Westin Houston Downtown in March 2013. Landry's will continue to own and operate the hotel after the conversion. Renovations will include updated furnishings and finishes throughout; an expanded exercise facility; and a new lobby, reception area and lobby bar.  The property will remain open during the conversion.

Convention Center Hotel
In fall 2012, Houston First Corporation entered into exclusive negotiations with Rida Development Corporation to build a second, 1,000-room convention center hotel in Downtown Houston. The hotel will be developed on the block immediately north of Discovery Green park and attached to the George R. Brown Convention Center via a skybridge. The development is slated to break ground in 2014 and open in 2016.

NOW OPEN

Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria Area
Located minutes from The Galleria, the 207-room Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria Area opened in June 2012, offering travelers well-appointed accommodations, an outdoor pool, exercise facility and on-site restaurant.  The professional set can also take advantage of the hotel's 14,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes 10 meeting rooms and two ballrooms.

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.

Hotel Icon

FRESH FACES

Alden Hotel
American Liberty Hospitality and investment partner Genry Mills Capitol recently acquired Downtown's 97-room Alden Hotel. The boutique property, which opened as the Sam Houston Hotel in 1924 and reopened in 2002 after a period of closure, will undergo an extensive renovation of the guest rooms, meeting spaces, restaurant and bar. In addition, the owners are considering changing the historic hotel's name back to Sam Houston Hotel in honor of the city's namesake.

DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Hobby Airport
In September 2012, Hilton Houston Hobby Airport was renamed DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Hobby Airport. As part of the transformation, the 303-room property is undergoing a comprehensive renovation to its public spaces and exterior. An executive lounge and wine room also are being added. A complete makeover of the guest rooms will begin in January 2013.

Hotel Derek
The 314-room, Galleria-area property is no longer independently owned.  In June 2012, Lowe Enterprises Investors purchased the modern hotel and announced plans to spend $4.5 million on improvements. Though the name remains the same, Hotel Derek will undergo changes to its guest rooms, meeting areas and hotel technology.

Hotel Icon
In fall 2011, Marriott International's Autograph Collection announced plans for Downtown's Hotel Icon to join its collection of independent hotels.  The 135-room property, located inside the 1912 Union National Bank building, welcomed a $5 million renovation in 2012, which included an exterior restoration, interior updates and upgrades to guest rooms.  Line & Lariat--a modern culinary concept inspired by the Texas coast, farms and ranches--replaced Hotel Icon's former fine dining restaurant, Voice.

Royal Sonesta Houston
The InterContinental Houston by The Galleria was reflagged as the Royal Sonesta Houston in July 2012. The 485-room property, located in the Galleria area, features 50,000 square feet of function space, several dining options, a pool and a 24-hour health club.

By Natalie Bogan Morgan