In Texas, you won’t have any trouble finding an outstanding place to stay on your next vacation — and boutique hotels are a great option for couples and families alike. Whether you’re looking for something luxurious, cosmo, or cozy, consider booking one of these standout boutique hotels.
Hotel Saint Cecilia
This boutique hotel in Austin’s bustling South Congress district offers rock ’n’ roll feels with a touch of Zen luxury. Named for the patron saint of church music, the Bunkhouse-owned Hotel Saint Cecilia is known to attract musicians, artists, and art lovers. Each room sports a turntable, with records for rent at the front desk; Suite Five has an upright piano, a listening booth, and eclectic Americana decor. All guests enjoy seclusion without feeling cloistered, as the mansion’s Victorian-era façade gives way to airy bungalow vibes both inside and out back. Calm can be found in the courtyard pool with its iconic “Soul” sign, or in the King Hästen mattress in every bedroom.
Heywood Hotel
There’s a sort of architectural magic about at the Heywood Hotel, an East Austin spot mere blocks from downtown. What looks like a cute, unobtrusive, olive green house on East Cesar Chavez Street opens up to a midcentury modern marvel inside. Founded on the mantra of “handcrafted hospitality,” the seven-bedroom place boasts neat custom touches throughout. The rooms smartly make use of outdoor light to showcase indoor design elements. See the splashes of pink in the cherry blossom wallpaper of the King Patio room; the sunlight-funneling picture windows of the courtyard rooms; and the white-walled Queen Deluxe, with its downright numinous 28-foot-tall ceiling and skylight. The Heywood also proffers homegrown products — try the Heywood blend coffee and wide selection of Austin brews — and free bikes to help acquaint you with the neighborhood.
La Colombe d’Or Hotel
La Colombe d’Or, located in Houston’s dynamic Montrose district, makes the high-end feel intimate. Built in 1923, the Beaux Arts-style mansion at the heart of this Texas Historic Landmark underwent a renovation in 2021 and now has two nearby sister hotel experiences: the Tower, 18 suites that exude empyrean serenity; and the Garden Bungalows, nine charming apartment-style stays arrayed around an Old World courtyard. No matter which locale you choose, you won’t miss the more than 400 pieces of original art that decorate the grounds — an art lover’s dream. For drinks and eats, try French-style bistro Tonight & Tomorrow, and cocktail bar Bar No. 3, both inside the mansion.
Hotel Havana
Perched on the San Antonio River Walk, a skip away from the city’s performing arts centers, lies a slice of romanticized Cuba. Hotel Havana offers equal portions of cool, coziness, and history. Built in 1914, the 27-room stronghold features Mediterranean revival architecture inspired by its namesake lined with cypress, palm, and magnolia trees. In 2010, Bunkhouse blessed the property with its Midas touch after decades of ups and downs. Today, the rooms display a mix of eclectic and retro décor — including 1950s-style retro SMEG refrigerators — and range from cozy studios with vaulted skylights to the split-level, fantasy-fulfilling penthouse suite. Good times can be had at in-house Ocho Lounge, a glass conservatory overlooking the river, serving pan-Latin food, and a moody basement bar with stories to tell.
Stanton House
Continuing a theme of interiors belying exteriors, the 42-room Stanton House in downtown El Paso has a core of luxe indulgence despite its businesslike exterior. The walls are bedecked with modern art by Texas and international artists, giving the lobby and rooms an elevated gallery ambience. A four-story art installation, dubbed the “Shylights,” runs up and down a lightwell in the center of the hotel. The signature restaurant and bar, Taft-Díaz, serves a much-lauded menu that nods at the city’s blend of cultures (we recommend the chilaquiles or the huevos divorciados). For something completely different, take a dip in the sensory deprivation float room of the in-house Blush Boutique & Spa.
Canvas Hotel Dallas
Canvas Hotel Dallas, a sleek spot in the Cedars district of Dallas, oozes industrial chic. Guests are charmed by the stylishly upcycled vibes of its 76 loft-style rooms and suites, with their concrete floors, exposed brick walls, 15-foot-high ceilings, and cute decor. The rooftop lounge features a bar, seating areas, and infinity pool with a spectacular view of the downtown skyline. A rotating collection of original artwork by Dallas artists, curated in partnership with SemosMauldin Art Consultancy, lines the walls from the lobby to the guest rooms, and, best of all, if you see a piece you like, you can buy it.
Hotel Dryce
One thing you can say about Hotel Dryce, an independently owned respite opened in Fort Worth’s Cultural District in 2021: The aesthetics are on point. From the minute you step into the lobby bar, you’re immediately struck by the gorgeous cobalt blue of the walls and chairs, complemented by splashes of orange, light blue, and green decor. The conversation between every visual element seems at once effortless and to have been fretted over. That impeccable design sense imbues all of the place’s 21 rooms, which embrace the city’s rugged western heritage with a lightness and modernity. Artworks by Black and indigenous artists decorate the walls — part of an art grant with local gallery Art Tooth — and the craft drinks are not to be missed.
