Local Retreats

Luxury Hotels Are Popping Up in Trendy Houston Neighborhoods

Move over, downtown and the Galleria. Accommodations are coming to cooler areas of the city.

By Uvie Bikomo March 15, 2024 Published in the Summer 2024 issue of Houstonia Magazine

The new Thompson Hotel towers over Buffalo Bayou.

Houston’s hospitality scene, once dominated by the towering hotels of downtown and the luxurious options near the Galleria, is undergoing a shift. The city is welcoming a fresh wave of development with new accommodations in other, trendier neighborhoods. These boutique hotels and design-forward stays are catering to a new kind of traveler seeking an experience that goes beyond just a place to sleep, offering instead an immersion into the city’s burgeoning cultural hubs.

Here’s a look at some recently opened hotels and others coming soon to Houston's eclectic neighborhoods, from the quirky and charming Montrose to the artistic and energetic Heights.


Many rooms at the Thompson have views of downtown and the bayou.

Thompson Hotels

Fourth Ward | Opened February 2024

Nestled beside picturesque Buffalo Bayou Park, the Thompson Houston emerges as a 36-story lodging with luxury offerings. This trendy hotel, with 172 rooms including 34 suites, is the newest stay fresh on the scene. With its bayou location, many of the rooms offer great views of the downtown skyline and the park. The hotel has indoor and outdoor relaxation areas for guests to unwind, as well as a 24-hour fitness center.

The hotel’s spa claims an entire floor and boasts six treatment suites. There are currently four dining options at the Thompson, including Maven Coffee Co., a Mexican steak house called Toca Madera, the Mediterranean restaurant Meduza Mediterrania, and the swanky lounge Sol 7. The culinary offerings are set to expand later this year with the introduction of a supper club, Buck 40, and a French brasserie, Chardon.

1717 Allen Parkway

La Colombe d'Or has been transformed to fit modern needs and aesthetic.

La Colombe d’Or

Montrose | Renovated March 2021

While not a new addition to the Houston hospitality scene, La Colombe d’Or’s recent transformation breathed fresh air into this historic property. Originally built as a family residence in 1923, the mansion has changed over the years, first made into a hotel in 1979, then undergoing a meticulous renovation that was completed in 2021.

The 32-room property now provides three guest experiences to accommodate varied tastes. One, called simply the Mansion, has opulent 1920s decor with modern touches. The Tower, an addition to the estate with the renovation, is located on the lower level of the residences and includes 18 suites with contemporary designs. The Garden Bungalows, situated across the street, offer a secluded option for those looking for a little more privacy. Tonight & Tomorrow, a restaurant serving French bistro cuisine, and Bar No. 3 are also on site for food and drinks. The rooftop pool and multiple indoor and outdoor lounges provide multiple options for relaxation.

3410 Montrose Boulevard

Hotel Saint Augustine will be steps away from the Menil Collection.

Hotel Saint Augustine

Montrose | Opens fall 2024

Hotel Saint Augustine, coming soon to one of Houston’s hipper neighborhoods, will be built for art and culture lovers. Slated to open in late 2024, this will be hospitality group Bunkhouse’s first project in Houston, placed right next door to the iconic Menil Collection. The interior aesthetic, styled by design studio Post Company, will be a balance between historic and modern.

Spread across five two-story buildings, the space will be designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood and will include 71 rooms. Saint Augustine will also have an all-day restaurant that will be transformed into a fine-dining destination in the evenings, as well as a lobby bar and a dedicated event space. Outside the walls of the hotel, expect lush grounds and gardens adorned with winding pathways.

4110 Loretto Drive

Hotel Daphne will be Bunkouse's second property in Houston.

Hotel Daphne

The Heights | Opens in 2025

This new hotel project coming to the Heights is named after the daughter of a river god in Greek mythology. Another Bunkhouse Hotels project, the Daphne will have 47 rooms and suites spread across five stories. The hotel takes inspiration from the neighborhood’s natural charm with steel windows and stepped parapets that will mix Folk Victorian architecture with Arts and Crafts style. Hotel Daphne will also feature an all-day restaurant, a courtyard, lounge, library, lobby retail shop, and a pool with a bar.

347 W 20th St

The Birdsall Residences

River Oaks | Opens in 2026

According to Texas Monthly, this hotel is set to open in late 2026 with 105 rooms and 44 private stays. It’s still early to know much about the specifics, but the property will be under the Auberge Resorts Collection, which currently has 27 luxury hotels and resorts around the world. The Birdsall is planned to be in the affluent River Oaks neighborhood. Residents will be able to access the resort’s facilities if they buy a membership to its private club.

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