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    Flower Power

    50 Hours in Amsterdam: Being hit by a car doesn't deter Houston couple from rolling through the tulips

    Jane Howze
    Apr 20, 2017 | 11:00 am

    A bucket list trip for flower lovers is Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens which, for eight weeks each spring, opens its doors to one million visitors coming from the all over the world to view Europe’s largest garden. Located some 20 miles south of Amsterdam in the village of Lisse, an 80-acre landscape masterpiece is planted with seven million bulbs each year. But Keukenhof is so much more than just flowers.

     

    My husband and I were looking forward to a tulip pilgrimage to Keukenhof this spring, but life has a way of throwing curve balls into the best laid plans. A week before our departure date, while walking home from dinner, we were run over in a crosswalk at Kirby and West Alabama. I suffered a broken left leg, a broken right foot and a badly cut eye (along with other indignities).

     

    The emotional injuries were equally serious, and staying home seemed like our only option. We canceled our trip, and spent the next two weeks visiting surgeons, therapists, and a whole cadre of caring people committed to putting us back together again. I returned to work in a wheelchair, although the look of horror on my employees’ faces made me think it was better to work from home.

     

    Although we had canceled our trip, we had not forgotten it.

     

    Every day I peeked in on Keukenhof's social media accounts and watched in wonder as the bulbs started to bloom. I mentioned it to several friends who said, “Oh, just go next year.” Sure I could, but the shock of the accident left me not counting on tomorrow, let alone next year.

     

    With my surgeon’s blessing and enough frequent flier miles for flat-bed seats, we rebooked our trip for Easter weekend, knowing that it would be a different experience now that I was officially a handicapped traveler.

     

     The Flight

     

    Traveling in a wheelchair is not as difficult as one might think. For the most part, United Airlines handles wheelchair travelers quite well. The only difficulties were feeling vulnerable, because I was totally dependent on others to get me to the plane, feeling anxious that someone would inadvertently run into my broken leg, and feeling self-conscious about my infirmity. Safely ensconced in my seat, I had the executive meal option and went to sleep. Amsterdam’s airport personnel met me at the gate and whisked me through customs. It was a snap.

     

     The Hotel

     

    We chose the Conservatorium, a five-year-old hotel converted from a music school (hence its name) and before that a 19th century bank building. This 129-room luxe modern hotel is located in the heart of the museum district across the street from the Stedelijk Museum, a three-minute walk from the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, and five minutes to Amsterdam’s canal system.

     

    The hotel's three-story lobby combines the building's original stone and brick facade with walls and ceilings of glass, a steel staircase and smashing green chairs scattered throughout. The vibe is modern, hip and sophisticated, but totally lacking in pretense or stuffiness.

     

    The hotel’s Guest Services (a modern take on the classic concierge) arranged for a Mercedes to meet us at the airport with a wheelchair, and assigned us a room with a large sink at wheelchair level and a large rainfall shower designed for two with a bench and no doors — solving a big challenge for wheelchair guests. Our room had skylights, a deep rectangular free standing tub and heated bathroom floors. Both nights of our stay, we returned to our room to find a large chocolate Easter bunny, compliments of the chef.

     

     Day One: An Afternoon of Touring

     

    Because of our time limitations, we could only visit one museum, and we chose the Stedelijk, with its impressive collection of modern art. We enjoyed the de Koonings and the Mondriaans, along with the hip three-dimensional and mixed media exhibits.

     

    It doesn’t get dark in Amsterdam until after 8:30 p.m. this time of year, and we took advantage of the daylight to tour the canals after the museum closed. Our unfailing Conservatorium Guest Services arranged a small, enclosed (and yes heated) boat tour. This tiny jewel of Dutch craftsmanship was built in 1913 and although it would easily accommodate 10 passengers, we had it to ourselves. Our knowledgeable captain showed us Amsterdam from the water until we ran out of light. Because we had walked (and rolled) to the canal, our Guest Services host awaited as we docked and escorted as back to the hotel.

     

     Day Two: Keukenhof Gardens

     

    Keukenhof is easy to get to by public transportation. Buses leave regularly from the Amsterdam airport, and take about 45 minutes. Because I was wheel chair bound, our hotel arranged for a car and driver to take us. Our driver was native and knowledgeable, and took us though the back roads through the tulip fields.

     

    Words cannot describe how stunningly beautiful these multi-colored fields are as they come into view with row after row of the most beautiful flowers imaginable. We gasped with delight. It is the same thrill that visitors to Africa have when they see their first elephant or leopard. This was our prelude to Keukenhof.

     

    It was cloudy and cold — a brisk 50 degrees. Rain, though a threat, never materialized. We stayed three and one-half hours, though you truly need at least a full day to savor everything.

     

    Keukenhof is more than tulips. Each December, Holland’s growers plant seven million bulbs representing more than 800 varieties of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, narcissus, lilies, crocus, anemone — the list is endless — in a rainbow of colors and collage of shapes. This park (yes, you can bring your dog) combines lakes, canals, waterfalls, and outdoor art (and of course a windmill), with a broad expanse of trees, perennials and greenhouse exhibits, artfully joined by easily accessible paths and walkways, leading to several family-oriented concourses offering food, music and entertainment.

     

    In this setting, landscape artists create an entirely new thematic design each year for the eye-popping display of flowering bulbs, so that each spring’s experience is new. This year’s theme is "Dutch Design," which is a tip of the hat to Dutch innovation and style. Neither words nor pictures do Keukenhof justice.

     

    The point-counterpoint structure of the gardens is stunning: The seasonal and temporary flowers against the backdrop of permanent landscape and mixed medium sculpture; the fresh but fragile strawberries contrasting with a calliope older than any of us, both being enjoyed by old and young alike. Add to that five restaurants and a petting zoo and you have sensory experience to savor for a lifetime.

     

    There are four large, permanent buildings — greenhouses — each with its own theme. One building featured roses of every conceivable color and variety as lecturers offered tips for those of us hoping to gain a green thumb from the visit. And who knew there is actually a red, white and blue rose?

     

    Another building was devoted to orchids. Most interesting about each of the buildings was the backdrops against which the flowers were featured. Many of the roses were positioned against a 1960-ish Dutch roadster while some of the orchids contrasted with a Dutch-designed bright yellow art deco sofa.

     

    Although we visited the gardens on Easter Sunday and to be sure, it was crowded, there was enough room to capture a moment of solitude. The crowds were polite, friendly and the most camera-ready group I’ve seen. I can envision thousands of 2017 holiday cards with selfies in front of the tulips. Our day ended with our driver picking us up with what else — a bouquet of tulips — as a remembrance of our day at Keukenhof.

     

    Our return to Houston was a breeze and in retrospect the trip seems almost like a dream. Every journey offers many lessons and memories. Mother Nature is a great healer and traveling is good for the soul and an injured body. And the next time someone tells me to take time to smell the roses, I will assume they mean the tulips and hop on a plane to Keukenhof.

    A field of red tulips greets visitors as they enter the garden.

    Red Tulips
      
    Photo by Jane Howze
    A field of red tulips greets visitors as they enter the garden.
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    2025 world's best awards

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

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 8, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    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 Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa “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.

     The Post Oak Hotel 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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