Conde Nast Traveler knows a thing or two about luxe experiences. One of the leading magazines in the luxury travel market, its pages are jammed with high-end getaways, plush digs, and bespoke experiences. So, it follows the publication’s readers are both savvy and sensitive to high service.
Those readers gave high marks to five H-Town hotels on the Conde Nast Traveler 2018 Readers Choice Top Hotels in Texas list.
The venerable Houstonian, long a favorite address for former presidents, events, and its full-service spa, placed second place on the list. It earned 97.96 points out of a 100-point scale, and we’re betting readers were sold on its ranking status as Houston’s urban oasis. The iconic resort scored high for its concierge-level rooms that give a private hotel-within-a-hotel feel, and complimentary amenities like hors d'oeuvres available all day and an actual private concierge to arrange whatever gusts need.
Hometown favorite Hotel ZaZa took two spots on the list, with the Memorial City imprint landing at No. 8, while its Museum District sister placed 16th. ZaZa’s distinguished itself not only for being upscale, but for bringing a bit of edge to its cosmopolitan glamour. With zebra prints, modern art, and an eclectic design aesthetic, ZaZa properties tell guests they’re in for a high-end experience that’s immersive and original.
Landing at No. 11 was the Hotel Granduca, the luxe resort in Uptown. A popular staycation address, Granduca borrows its design from Italian villas, in a quest to help urbanites feel they’ve left Houston and wandered into a Mediterranean wonderland the second they step through the door. Lush gardens, a sparkling pool, and restaurants and bars that bring their Italian cuisine A-game all add to the exquisite blend of old world hospitality — with a modern flair.
The Houston-based Valencia Group — with hotels in Austin, College Station, Houston, and San Jose, California — saw its Hotel Sorella CityCentre come away with a No. 14 ranking on the list. (Its Hotel Valencia Riverwalk came in at No. 7.) Sorella, with its cosmopolitan dining and modern feel, has been a chic stay option in CityCentre’s bustling commercial district since it opened. Visitors flock to a hopping bar that manages to be hip and happening while still maintaining an intimate feel.
More than 429,000 travelers took part in the 29th annual Readers' Choice Awards survey — the most in its history — submitting millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments to create a list of winning favorites.
The poll questionnaire contained lists of candidates in various categories such Cities and Hotels, and a minimum number of responses was required to be eligible for a Readers' Choice Award. Individual candidates were judged on a set of criteria relevant to their category, based on a standard five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor.
The Houstonian landed the No. 2 spot on the list.
