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    Best Hotels in Texas

    The 10 best new Texas hotels beckon discerning Lone Star travelers

    Melissa Gaskill
    Jun 3, 2016 | 9:20 am

    There's no shortage of luxurious hotel accommodations across Texas, and a host of new options abound for summer travelers. If you’re planning a Lone Star vacation — or just want to get away for the weekend — consider booking a room (or two) at one of these fabulous new spots.

    Dofflemyer Hotel, San Saba
    This circa-1913 building in downtown San Saba originally housed a bank on the ground floor and, on the second, a gentlemen’s social club. Today, the first floor contains Oliver and Co. gourmet food and sandwich shop and the lobby of the Dofflemyer Hotel. Its five rooms and one suite occupy the second floor, each individually decorated and featuring spacious bathrooms, high ceilings, and large windows. Walk to Wedding Oak Winery, San Saba Olive Oil Company, and Harry’s sprawling Western wear store.

    Hotel Eleven, Austin
    Mark Vornberg and Shelly Leibham created their stylish hotel based on personal world travels and inspiration from their favorite places and amenities. Some of the 14 rooms have city views, the bar serves great wines and local beers, outdoor patios invite hanging out, and the location in Austin’s trendy east side means convenient access to plenty of restaurants and bars as well as downtown, the Texas Capitol, and The University of Texas.

    Hotel Emma, San Antonio
    The building housing this 146-room hotel began life as a brewhouse designed in 1894 by August Maritzen, who created more than 80 colossal brewery buildings. Hotel Emma anchors the Pearl, San Antonio's former brewery complex turned vibrant culinary and cultural community. Choose from five unique room styles or seven top-floor suites, and enjoy a bar and club room, restaurant, and library. When you arrive, a margarita awaits in your room, along with seasonally sourced South Texas treats in the ice box and in-room pantry.

    Hotel Van Zandt, Austin
    Located in the lively Rainey Street district, this 319-room boutique hotel pays homage to Austin’s music scene with touches such as light fixtures made from brass instruments, themed artwork, and plenty of live band performances. Rooms enjoy views of Lady Bird Lake or downtown Austin; specialty suites feature oversized soaking tubs, kitchenettes, fully equipped poker tables, and a vintage piano in one. Plan a meal at Geraldine's, the hotel's flagship restaurant that captures the essence of Austin dining.

    Hotel Saint George, Marfa
    Built on the site of the original 1886 Hotel Saint George, with the structure, bricks, and marble repurposed from the site’s 1929 construction. Spacious, pet-friendly rooms have 9.5-foot ceilings, original artwork, locally crafted furnishings, and views of the charming town. Two 1,300-square-foot corner suites with wet bars are perfect for entertaining. Also onsite are restaurant Laventure; Bar St. George; and Marfa Book Company, which sells books and retail goods and stages readings, performances, and exhibitions.

    JW Marriott Houston Downtown, Houston
    The 102-year-old Samuel F. Carter Building at the corner of Rusk and Main became a luxury hotel with 328 rooms including spa suites in 2014. It features a full-service restaurant, Main Kitchen, as well as the 806 Lounge. Rooms boast downtown views; the lobby connects to the underground tunnel system; and light rail connections access the George R. Brown Convention Center, Texas Medical Center, and NRG Stadium.

    Rancho Pillow, Round Top
    Book all or part of this 20-acre compound with an 18th-century Dutch barn that serves as a central gathering spot. The 2,300-square-foot Red House has a kitchen, living and dining areas, two king bedrooms, and a bunkroom. Other options include the Love Shack, a two-bedroom, two-bath casita, and the funky Tower House with one twin and two queen bedrooms and two porches. The property has a saltwater wading pool, tree house, fire pit, and plenty of wide open space.

    South Congress Hotel, Austin
    In the heart of the action on South Congress, this hotel has three king-bed room options with hardwood floors, custom-designed furniture, and large walk-in showers. River City rooms overlook the courtyard, Heights rooms have views of the Travis Heights neighborhood, and Bouldin rooms look onto the scene on South Congress. Six suite options, including the Bunkroom with four queen-sized bunks and poolside suites, feature private balconies and large soaking tubs. The hotel has four standout food options, including Paul Qui's intimate, 12-seat restaurant, Otoko.

    St. Anthony Hotel, San Antonio
    Not new, but newly restored to a style befitting what was the first luxury hotel in San Antonio when it originally opened in 1909. The restoration included uncovering original Venetian-tile mosaics; restoring museum-quality sculptures, tapestries, and murals; and returning a 1927 Steinway piano to Peacock Alley. This designated national historic landmark overlooks Travis Park and sits three blocks from the Alamo and the River Walk.

    Westin Dallas Downtown, Dallas
    The Westin Dallas Downtown occupies historic One Main Place, the original address of the tony Neiman Marcus store. The hotel also has views of the Trinity River bridges, Victory Park, Reunion Tower, and historic West End. During your stay, have a meal at NOLA Brasserie; the restaurant evokes a historical connection with the site, which in the '60s was home to the only Dallas branch of New Orleans restaurant Brennan's. And check out the heated indoor pool on the 32nd floor — the highest indoor pool in Texas.

    The Westin Dallas Downtown's library.

    The Westin Dallas lobby
      
    The Westin Dallas
    The Westin Dallas Downtown's library.
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    36 Hours in Granbury

    Enjoy a delightful weekend escape near Fort Worth in the tiny town of Granbury

    June Naylor
    Jun 17, 2016 | 10:30 am
    Enjoy a delightful weekend escape near Fort Worth in the tiny town of Granbury
    Photo by June Naylor
    The Inn on Lake Granbury will be hard to leave.

    We need quick getaways to recharge our batteries, and one of the easiest go-tos is Granbury. Less than an hour's drive southwest of Fort Worth (and around a four-hour drive from Houston), the Hood County seat offers a great dose of food and drink, fun places to poke around on the square, a lovely night's sleep, and sublime hints of Hill Country scenery.

    And if you haven't been lately, it's time to revisit. All you really need is just 36 hours to get the most out of your escape.

    Eating
    To fortify yourself for the traipsing around, make a lunch stop at Ketzler's, a terrific little German bistro anchoring one corner of the courthouse square. Dive into plates of freshly made bratwurst and knackwurst; excellent potato pancakes; a fabulous schnitzel with sides of warm red cabbage (hinting of red wine, cinnamon, and nutmeg); and kraut (with bacon, carraway, and apple), and marvel at how authentic the place is. Painted wood reliefs depicting Bavarian villages hang on the stone walls and German music plays on the sound system.

    While there, we eavesdropped on a young woman interviewing for a job — partially in German. She couldn't get over how much like her mom's homeland the restaurant feels.

    There's a lovely beer garden out back to enjoy any of several German brews, as well as local beer. A full bar is soon to be installed, as well.

    The dinner that must not be missed is a few doors down and upstairs at Eighteen Ninety Grille, Granbury's premier upscale dining spot. More elegant than we dared hope, this delightful surprise is a pleasure from start to finish. The food is fabulous because the restaurant owners snagged chef Michael Watkins from the popular Winslow's Wine Cafe in Fort Worth.

    We're already addicted to two of his appetizers: the Texas Trilogy, which wraps local chicken and quail inside smoked bacon and a little jalapeño, all skewered and grilled, and the seared ahi, sesame crusted and served in ruby slices over arugula, avocado, and radish in a ginger-soy dressing. New York strip, expertly cooked and given a wild mushroom treatment, is divine, as is the bodacious pork chop, served with a smoked pear chutney.

    The wine list is filled with good things, including a beautiful Fess Parker Pinot Noir. We like just hanging out here; the staff is welcoming, and there's warmth and comfort in the original rock walls. Watch for the restaurant's bar and lounge to open downstairs sometime in April.

    We can't ever head home from Granbury without a burger stop at Grump's, a decidedly casual spot out on Highway 377 with good grub and cold beer. Best bets are the bacon cheeseburger (pepper Jack, please) with grilled onion and green chilies, plus a side of fried pickles. It helps soak up all the brews we enjoy at the Saturday afternoon gathering at what's rapidly becoming the most notable brewery in Texas.

    Drinking
    At Revolver Brewing, several hundred people show up for the noon-3 party each Saturday afternoon. And what a show: You're clearly a regular if you bring your own camp chairs, or you arrive at 11:50 am if you want to snag one of the picnic tables scattered on the grounds. A local band plays on a stage, and everyone spreads out to enjoy the fresh air — and that beer.

    For the $10 admission (for everyone over 18, kids are free), you get the entertainment and a "tour," which is actually a 15-minute chat in the tank room with one of the very knowledgeable and entertaining brewers. He tells you how Revolver scored a major coup by recruiting brewmaster Grant Wood from Samuel Adams in Boston, and that tells you the source of the smarts for making sensational brews like the smash-hit Blood & Honey, Sidewinder, Ironhead IPA, and many more.

    Arrive before 2 pm, and your 10 bucks buys you four generous pours. After 2 pm, it's two generous pours. Either way, you get a nice Revolver pint glass to keep. There's always a food vendor onsite, selling meals to enjoy outside.

    Wine lovers, head out to Barking Rocks Winery, scarcely 10 minutes from downtown, where you could be greeted at the car by Cellar, the sweet winery dog, who just wants a little love. Inside, local legend/character Tiberia, the winemaker with just one name, and his staff pour wines at tastings on Saturday afternoon and on the first Friday evening of each month.

    Tiberia speaks our grape language, as we're not fond of sweet wines: His Roussane Reserve is a lovely oaky white, his rosé is slightly effervescent and perfect in sangria, and his Syrah is something we enjoy alone or with steaks. The grounds at Barking Rocks are lush and inviting, perfect for spreading out to listen to the live music on Friday evenings.

    As long as you're wandering, head just 20 minutes down the road to the new location of Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese Co. Self-described "recovering lawyer" Dave Eagle began making extraordinary cheese in Granbury in 2010, immediately won some international awards, and the growing business demanded he expand his space.

    Now in a 1910 storefront in Lipan, his cheeses are hugely popular sellers at Central Market and at Scardello Artisan Cheese in Dallas, as well as restaurants like Ellerbe Fine Foods and Cafe Modern. While visiting, we can see the cheesemaking process, taste his Gouda-style cheeses, and — coming soon — enjoy all-organic ice cream he's making with the same local milk he uses for his cheeses.

    Walking the square
    The courthouse square in Granbury is one of the first in Texas, having undergone serious restoration and invigoration in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The limestone buildings remind of us those in Fredericksburg and other Hill Country towns, and each one framing the square and the very recently renovated courthouse holds a stash of retail and other diversions.

    We are most taken with some newer finds, including St. Helen's, a shop with cool things for the home, including candles and clocks and dinner table goods; Home Sweet Home, where we found cool flasks and great bedding; and Eighteen Ninety Marketplace, downstairs from the same-named restaurant, a shop reminding me of those in Napa, selling truly fabulous olive oils, vinegars, and spices.

    One of the biggest additions of sorts to the square is the Granbury Opera House, a fixture since the 1880s. Fallen on hard times, it was recently and magnificently restored, and a new board of directors has made the place wonderfully viable and relevant. Even if you don't see a show there — lots of Broadway-type shows, as well as tributes to Elvis, Rat Pack, and more — it's worth a stop just to admire the place.

    Slumber in style
    Granbury has a fine supply of B&Bs for nice overnights. We're utterly hooked on the Inn on Lake Granbury; there's just not a more luxurious, sumptuous option around.

    Inn owners Jim and Cathy see to every imaginable comfort, offer wine and substantial snacks in the afternoon, and serve a breakfast we dream about long after we're home. Our favorite digs are the lakeside suites, which give a good view of the water and the grounds. We've whiled away many happy hours in Adirondack chairs and on the wooden swing overlooking the lake, and beside the rock-lined saltwater swimming pool.

    Like us, you'll wish your getaway lasted several more days at this place.

    The Inn on Lake Granbury will be hard to leave.

    Inn at Lake Granbury
      
    Photo by June Naylor
    The Inn on Lake Granbury will be hard to leave.
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