Diabolical Thrill Ride

Six Flags Fiesta Texas scares up world’s steepest-dive roller coaster

What’s touted as the steepest-dive roller coaster in the world is riding into Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.

The roller coaster, Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, will feature a “cliffhanger hold” that suspends riders as they head face-first down a 95-degree, beyond-vertical drop. Moments later, they’ll enter a 150-foot dive.

The coaster is set to debut in the summer of 2022.

“Six Flags Fiesta Texas continues to push the limits of thrill and innovation as we prepare to introduce the world’s steepest-dive coaster during our 30th anniversary season,” Jeffrey Siebert, president of the theme park, says in a July 28 news release. “Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger joins an already stellar lineup of record-breaking roller coasters, rides, and attractions.”

As guests line up for the ride, they will learn the story of Dr. Diabolical and her evil quest to create menacing creatures to frighten the world.

“To give her creations life, Dr. Diabolical constructed a machine to capture the essence of human adrenaline and fear,” according to the news release. “Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger features three 21-passenger trains that keep the adrenaline flowing as riders reach a height of 15 stories, then pause face-first before diving at 60 mph and flying through a variety of high-thrill experiences.”

The entire track measures 2,501 feet, or nearly half a mile.

Other elements of the ride include:

A second 75-foot, near-vertical drop following the beyond-vertical, 95-degree first drop.
An Immelmann inversion that sends riders into a half-loop followed by a half-twist. It ends with an opposite-direction, 180-degree turn.
A 270-degree zero-G roll.
Speeds up to 60 mph.

The coaster will be located in the theme park’s Crackaxle Canyon Screampunk District. The park, which opened in 1992, will require that a rider be at least 52 inches tall, or a little over 4.3 feet.

“Once you are exposed to this menacing machine, you shall live forever,” Fiesta Texas promises.

Talk about a cliffhanger!

$Dr. Diabolical\u2019s Cliffhanger$

Courtesy of Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Talk about a cliffhanger!

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2025 world's best awards

6 Houston hotels ranked with the best in the world by Travel + Leisure

Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The Houstonian is back on top as the best resort in Texas.

Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this "serene sanctuary" for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort's location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

“The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member," said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

"Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool," the report said. "On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits."

In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

"To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day," he said. "We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

Best hotels in the U.S.
In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities.

"And naturally, there's a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride," the report said.

Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel

A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is "a destination in itself" and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

"There is a rooftop helipad so that you don't even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don't want to," the reader said.

The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

Other Texas awards
San Antonio's Hotel Emma and Fort Worth's Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L's list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S."

San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

"From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

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