Houston, Texas, is also referred to as "Space City" for its involvement in the NASA space program; it is also the largest city in Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Tourists in this southeastern Texas city can find hotels in Houston's downtown district and near the Galleria Mall. Attractions in downtown Houston include Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans football team, and Sabine Park, a recreation area with walking paths and picnicking areas.
The historic Lancaster Hotel is a 1926-founded, luxurious accommodation in Houston's downtown area. This upscale hotel is within walking distance of downtown performing arts spaces, including the historic Alley Theater, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and the Houston Grand Opera. The Bayou City Arts Festival, which occurs annually during the fall, occurs within 10 minutes of the hotel and features live theater and art exhibits from artisans throughout Texas and the southwestern United States. The hotel offers a limited-time (as of October 2010) "Bayou City Arts Festival" package, which includes room rates and complimentary transportation to the festival. Houston Texans football fans who stay at the hotel are only 15 minutes from Reliant Stadium. Hotel amenities include complimentary transportation to downtown sites, valet parking and an on-site restaurant, Bistro, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Bistro is a popular place for downtown Houston businessmen to have business lunches, so you may want to reserve a table if you wish to eat lunch at the restaurant.
The Lancaster Hotel
701 Texas St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-228-9500
thelancaster.com
The boutique-style Hotel ZaZa is in southern Houston's Museum District, approximately a 10-minute rail transit ride from the downtown area. This hotel features eclectic, wildlife-themed interior decor and furniture in the lobby area, guest rooms and on-site restaurant, Monarch. Monarch is a fine dining establishment that serves steak cuisine for lunch and dinner. Indoor and outdoor seating are available at the restaurant. Houston locals frequent the nightclubs at Hotel ZaZa, Monarch Lounge and Urban Oasis on weekend nights. The nightclubs offer an extensive list of cocktail drinks and outdoor seating that provides scenic views of downtown Houston's skyline. Off-site dining is available in the Museum District, within walking distance of the hotel. Museums near the hotel include the Children's Museum of Houston and the Health Museum. The hotel is also a five-minute drive from Hermann Park, a recreation area that is home to the Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Hotel ZaZa
5701 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005
888-880-3244
hotelzazahouston.com
The Houstonian Hotel, situated in western Houston, is right off the West Loop Freeway, making it only a five-minute drive from the Houston Galleria Mall. This shopping center is one of the largest malls in Texas and features upscale department stores such as Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The mall also features restaurants such as Kona Grill and the Rainforest Cafe. The hotel is only a 25-minute day trip from George Bush Park. This urban recreation area provides "in the city, but not in the city" atmosphere with hiking trails, fishing spots and bicycling activities on the Boardwalk Bridge, which passes over the park's Buffalo Bayou. On-site dining at the Houstonian is available at Olivette, a charming Mediterranean-style restaurant with menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room offers views into the kitchen area, so guests can view the chefs while they prepare meals. Other hotel features include a health club with a fitness center and Trellis Spa, which offers massage therapies and body treatments. The spa is set in a separate 17,000-square-foot building in a forest-like setting, which blocks out the noises of the surrounding city.
The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
111 N. Post Oak Lane
Houston, TX 77024
713-680-2626
houstonian.com
