Peek inside The Houstonian Hotel's reimagined executive event spaces

Building on nearly 50 years of distinction, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa has unveiled a reimagined Conference Center designed not only to impress but also to inspire. Tucked within the hotel’s secluded 27-acre wooded setting, the refreshed spaces connect today’s executive leaders with a powerful sense of place found nowhere else in Houston.

Long regarded as a premier destination for high-level meetings, The Houstonian Hotel’s private retreat has welcomed executives, dignitaries, and prominent guests seeking both discretion and inspiration. Newly refined conference and boardroom spaces — including the Mahogany, Teak, and Mesquite Rooms — blend exceptional craftsmanship, meaningful storytelling, and authentic Texas character to create an environment where ideas flourish and leaders gather with purpose.

“The Houstonian has always held a special place in the hearts and memories of our guests,” says Steve Fronterhouse, the hotel’s general manager. “This refresh is not only a beautiful reinvention of our meeting spaces but also a heartfelt tribute to our legacy. It reflects who we are — rooted in Texas tradition yet always evolving to meet the needs of today’s discerning guests.”

Executive Spaces Inspired by Texas Craftsmanship
At the heart of the Conference Center is the Mahogany Boardroom, an 850-square-foot executive setting designed to evoke the finest traditions of Texas hospitality.

Its centerpiece is a striking 25-foot board table handcrafted in Aransas Pass by Texas artisan H. Lancaster. Created from Brazoria County spalted pecan, mahogany, and maple, the one-of-a-kind table seats 20 guests beneath three French Empire – style crystal basket chandeliers with classic brass frames and delicate leaf detailing.

Adjoining the Mahogany is the Teak Room, a refined 594-square-foot meeting space designed with the ambiance of a classic library. Wooded views, stately millwork, and Shantung wallcoverings create an atmosphere of understated elegance, while custom cabinetry in deep blue and gold hues adds warmth and character.

Shelves lined with curated books and mementos celebrating Houston’s heritage provide a thoughtful backdrop for executive gatherings. Together, the Mahogany and Teak Rooms offer adaptable layouts and advanced technology, allowing meetings to transition seamlessly between formal presentations and collaborative discussion.

A Setting Steeped in Texas Character
Newly introduced, the Mesquite Room offers a distinctly Texan experience for intimate meetings of up to 12 guests. The space features Bush family memorabilia, displays of native fish, fowl, and wild game, and a showcase bar highlighting rare agave spirits from Mexico alongside fine American whiskies.

Its centerpiece is another custom board table by H. Lancaster, crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from the estate barn of legendary cattle baron Shanghai Pierce. The result is a meeting space where Texas history and leadership intersect.

The newly debuted Mesquite Room delivers a distinctly Texan experience, adorned with memorabilia from the Bush family, displays of native fish, fowl, and wild game Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The Mahogany’s one-of-a-kind board table handcrafted in Aransas Pass by Texas artisan H. Lancaster seats 20 guests and offers a stunning place to gather.

Experiences Beyond the Boardroom
The Houstonian Hotel’s Conference Center extends well beyond traditional meeting spaces. Beneath a canopy of lights under the property’s majestic Texas live oak, guests can enjoy immersive outdoor dining surrounded by nature. The setting accommodates intimate gatherings or lively receptions with buffets, bars, and entertainment for up to 80 guests.

For larger events, the Grande Ballroom — often called the city’s “Grand Dame” — has also been refreshed. The 6,634-square-foot ballroom features soaring 16-foot ceilings, cut-crystal chandeliers, and a wall of serene wooded views. The space accommodates up to 600 guests and connects to the elegant 2,800-square-foot Grande Foyer, complete with a stately fireplace and dramatic ombré paneling.

Coming this fall, The Houstonian Hotel will introduce the new Grande Terrace, a stunning 2,400-square-foot elevated outdoor deck nestled between the Grande Ballroom pre-function area and The Manor House. Featuring a rustic fireplace and architectural accent lighting, the terrace will create an unforgettable setting for daytime gatherings and evenings beneath the stars.

The Houstonian Hotel also offers distinctive venues such as the historic Manor House, designed in 1955 by renowned architect John Staub, and immersive culinary experiences like Big Sam, the hotel’s custom pitmaker trailer honoring Texas legend Sam Houston. Big Sam brings live-fire cooking to private events with menus featuring prime brisket, pork ribs, wood-fired oysters, bacon-wrapped Bandera quail, and other Texas-inspired fare.

Every gathering at The Houstonian Hotel reflects the property’s signature blend of Southern hospitality, refined luxury, and authentic Texas character.

With its reimagined Conference Center, The Houstonian Hotel continues its legacy as Houston’s most distinctive destination for executive meetings — an inspiring setting where leaders gather meaningfully, think boldly, and shape ideas for the future.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is located at 111 N. Post Oak Ln., Houston, TX 77024.

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always be prepared

Texas tax-free weekend lets shoppers stock up on emergency supplies

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Emergency supplies like first aid kits that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

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