over the moon

Luxe and spacey Medical Center spot lands on list of hottest new hotels in U.S.

The Blossom lands at No. 8 on the new ranking.

Photo courtesy of Blossom Hotel Houston

Since its opening last year, the luxe Blossom Hotel Houston has made a splash in the Medical Center as a premiere destination for international travelers, visitors, and staycationers with its modern, lunar design and rooftop pool.

The nation, it seems, has caught on. Blossom has just been named to a new list of 10 Hottest New Hotels in the U.S. for 2022 from TripAdvisor, as part of its 2022 Travelers' Choice Awards. The hotel (located at 7118 Bertner Ave.) lands at No. 8 on the top-25 list and is the only Houston inn to make the survey, in which travelers reviewed new hotels they experienced in 2021.

Specifically, Blossom was cited by its guests for “impeccable and friendly service and comfortable, modern rooms” per a press release, as well as high-end amenities and services, such as the onsite Mercedes-Benz shuttle.

A cadre of A-listers, city dignitaries including the mayor, and scenesters packed the Blossom opening event (a favorite was plush robe giveaways) that was an especially bit delayed due to the pandemic. The spacey hotel has truly taken off from there, as evidenced by the five-star rating it boasts on TripAdvisor. Reviewers on TripAdvisor declare the Blossom as a “true hidden gem” as well as a spirited, “best hotel everrrrrrrrr.”

“Despite opening during the most challenging year in history of the hospitality industry, Blossom Hotel Houston was an instant hit thanks to the team’s dedication to invigorating the local economy and bringing both tourism and business to the city,” said Randy Nameth, director of operations of Blossom Hotel Houston, in a statement. “Today, we are thrilled that TripAdvisor’s community of seasoned travelers recognized our commitment to service excellence and named the hotel among must-visit properties in the U.S. in 2022 and beyond.”

Just after the Blossom at No. 8 comes Austin’s Colton House Hotel at No. 9; the spot earned rave reviews for its hip design and a choice staycation destination. Not far down the list, San Antonio’s Thompson Hotel - Riverwalk comes in at No. 12; here, travelers gushed over the hotel’s design as well as in-house dining and bar.

Further down the list, Lubbock’s Cotton Court Hotel comes in at No. 20. Inspired by the city’s downtown vibe, the hotel earned 4.5 stars and marks for its “cozy” and “exceptional” lodging. (Those visiting would be wise to visit the nearby Nicolett restaurant, which recently secured a James Beard Award nomination and a Texas Monthly nod.)

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love on a budget

Texas makes top 10 for most affordable date nights in the U.S.

Photo by Christina Griffin/WDR Imagery

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Finding love on a budget has never been easier in Texas, which was just ranked one of the top 10 states with the most affordable date costs in the country.

Texans spend about $81 on average for a typical date night, which is the 10th cheapest cost out of all 50 states, according to a new study from dating advice platform Muse.

The report compared statewide costs for a date based on the average price of a restaurant meal for two and the average price of a soft drink, domestic beer, and a bottle of wine. Muse additionally extrapolated total costs across "basic," "standard," and "premium" dinner date tiers. Pricing data was provided from consumer pricing database Numbeo on February 2, 2026.

Texas' typical dinner date cost is nearly $11 lower than the $91.75 national average.

This is how the analysis broke down the average price of a dinner date in Texas:

Mid-range restaurant meal for two: $66.67
Soft drink: $2.47
Domestic beer: $6
Bottle of wine: $13.41

Based on these figures, Muse determined that the cost of a "basic" date in Texas – defined as "a three-course meal for two and two soft drinks" – adds up to $71.61. Texans spend an average $78.17 for a "standard" date, meaning the same three-course meal but sub in two domestic beers instead of soft drinks. "Premium" dates for couples, who splurge on a bottle of wine with their meal, will rack up a $93.49 bill at the end of the night, the data says.

Houstonians have extra bragging rights considering the city is conveniently home to one of the most romantic restaurants in America.

States with the most and least expensive date costs
West Virginia topped the list with the most affordable date nights in the U.S., with the typical date costing $60.22, far lower than the national average. Hawaii, on the other hand, is the most expensive state for dinner date in the nation. The average cost for a date in the Aloha state will set couples back by $144.24.

"People often assume it’s the drinks that make date nights expensive, but it’s really the meal that changes everything," a Muse spokesperson said. "Depending on where you live, the same dinner for two could cost twice as much, and that adds up fast when you're planning something special for Valentine’s Day. No matter the price tag, what matters most is the time spent together, but knowing where your dollar stretches further never hurts."

Celebrating love doesn't have to revolve around going out for dinner. There are many ways to surprise your sweetheart that don't involve going out to eat, like visiting a local museum or going on a romantic retreat elsewhere around Texas.

The top 10 most affordable states for a dinner date with their average costs are:

No. 1 – West Virginia ($60.22)
No. 2 – North Dakota ($65.67)
No. 3 – Minnesota ($68.33)
No. 4 – Alabama ($69.74)
No. 5 – Mississippi ($74.37)
No. 6 – Illinois ($74.97)
No. 7 – Kansas ($75.14)
No. 8 – Georgia ($76)
No. 9 – Wyoming ($78.50)
No. 10 – Texas ($81.09)

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love on a budget

Texas makes top 10 for most affordable date nights in the U.S.