The Thompson says relax

Houston's newest luxury hotel unveils posh spa with innovative treatments

Houston’s newest luxury hotel has opened its spa. Located within the Thompson Hotel Houston, the Thompson Spa aims to be the city’s newest high-end wellness destination.

Customers will find six treatment suites as well as expansive views of Buffalo Bayou Park and the downtown Houston skyline through the spa's floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities include outdoor relaxation areas, a salon, saunas, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Spa director Megan Fitzgerald’s resume includes stints at Lake Austin Spa Resort, Gurney’s Montauk Resort, and Seawater Spa and Pendry Hotels.

“The creative vision for Thompson Spa was to reinvent the high-end spa experience by disrupting the expected. Houston is a creative city and is ready for a spa that continuously strives to create the extraordinary,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. "With our distinctive menu and meticulous product choices, guests can expect a transformative experience that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technologies with unique facial and massage techniques, resulting in rejuvenated skin, revitalized bodies, and a renewed sense of well-being that welcomes the unveiling of the authentic self.”

Skincare obsessives will be flocking to the spa’s treatment suites to sample the Texas debut of treatments created by Italian wellness guru Pietro Simone. Known for techniques such as organic cotton threading and dry massage, the Thompson Spa offers several Simone facials, including:

Cellular Activating Hydration Facial, designed to restore moisture with the infusion of Pietro Simone peptides
Cellular Activating Age Management Facial, which uses three different massages to mitigate signs of aging.
Gold Aurum Radiance Infusion Facial, designed to strengthen facial muscles, the treatment includes a 24-karat gold activation peel

Courtesy of The Thompson Hotel Houston

The Thompson Hotel has opened its spa.

The Thompson Spa also offers treatments featuring products by hormone-free skincare line Agent Nateur.

Men, women, and couples will find a range of other facial and massage options, including hydration wraps, body polishing, and “Weekend Warrior” packages designed to help athletes recover from their exertions. Customers can also add enhancements such as Celluma LED light therapy, percussion therapy, CBD enhancement, and warm Himalayan salt stones.

Opened in February, the Thompson Hotel offers 172 rooms, 17,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and a rooftop that includes an infinity pool. As CultureMap has previously reported, the hotel will be home to three restaurants: Sol 7, a casual poolside restaurant; Chardon, a French brasserie; and Buck 40, an upscale supperclub.

Get more information about the spa, including a list of available treatments and prices, via its website.

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BOOTS TO THE GROUND

Luxe Houston boot brand sets up court in Hill Country castle

Photo courtesy of Republic Boot Company

This isn't exactly a typical location for a boot store.

When most stores want to expand into a new town, they look at strip malls. Houston-based Republic Boot Company bought an entire castle. The company is turning Johnson City’s famous 290 Wine Castle at 10191 W US-290 into its newest outpost, though exactly what will happen behind the stone walls remains to be seen.

Republic is known for its high-end artisan cowboy boots and celebrity clients like Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and team owner Cal McNair, plus unexpected fans like rapper Paul Wall. Although the flagship is housed in a 100-year-old building in Houston’s hip Heights neighborhood, the branding hasn’t exactly embraced turrets and drawbridges.

“We’ve always said that Republic isn’t just about making boots; it’s about preserving the soul of Texas,” explained Chris Conrad, CEO and Founder of Republic Boot Company, in a release. “Acquiring this castle allows us to create a legendary destination where our customers can immerse themselves in the craft and make bucket-list memories. It’s bold, it’s unique, and it’s exactly where the Republic belongs. We have some wild plans for this property that the world hasn't seen before.”

For now, the company is keeping most details a secret, but Conrad told the Houston Business Journal that the bootmaker plans to continue the winemaking and hotel business on the property. The castle compound has plenty of room to grow with 14 guest rooms, a tasting room, a cigar lounge, a covered deck, and a full commercial kitchen. Oh, it also has a full dungeon.

Republic is no stranger to unique shopping opportunities. Its $6,000 Gator Hunt Experience allows clients to shoot their own alligator hide and make it into a pair of custom boots. Hunters also get a taxidermy mount, 10 pounds of alligator meat, and hopefully a few recipes on how to cook it.

The brand’s expansion comes as the Texas Hill Country transforms from a well-kept secret to an international tourist destination. Among the upcoming attractions are The Meuse, a luxury retail center with a Lucchese store and a Waldorf Astoria hotel with a new restaurant from acclaimed chef Dominique Crenn.

Republic Boot Company hasn’t shared any renovation details for the Medieval-style castle, built in 2019. The brand promises to reveal more details and a grand opening date in the coming weeks.

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