St. Regis Houston

Like the glamorous Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo, the St. Regis Hotel in Houston exudes a certain cachet ... sophistication with an undercurrent of mischief. There are butlers who are available 24/7 via a wireless eButler system. No matter where in the world you are when making a request, your every wish is granted when you arrive. Tickets to the hot show on opening night? Piece of cake. Russian caviar straight from St. Petersburg, iced and waiting for you in your suite? No problem. There is, of course, a holistic spa, fitness club, lush swimming pool, business center and high tea served every afternoon. The St. Regis is a combination of the proper, the pampered and the playful . . . Cary Grant and Grace Kelly would certainly approve. So would Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. They stayed here (when it was Ritz-Carlton) in 1991. Now celebs like Lady Gaga park here for some fun away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

Caroline Hunt spent a reported $60 million when she built the hotel, called the Remington, in 1982. A bit of the Hunt history endures since the bar carries that name.