• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    STAY AWHILE

    2 luxurious Texas properties check in among the world’s best new hotels

    Chantal Rice
    Apr 26, 2021 | 2:30 pm
    Commodore Perry Estate
    Ready to make a reservation?
    Photo by Douglas Friedman

    Two lauded Texas hotels located just up the road are getting some international recognition from one of the most-read travel publications in the world.

    Travel + Leisure, which reaches an audience of more than 30 million globetrotters, has released its 16th annual list of the world’s best new hotels of the year, with two Austin establishments — the only Texas properties noted — among the list’s North American callouts.

    Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate, the 10-acre lavish property originally built in 1928 as the country home of Nannie Lewette “Lutie” and Commodore Edgar Perry, is now part of the Auberge Resorts Collection hotel portfolio, which boasts 19 hotels and resorts on three continents and upgraded the historic Austin property with an additional three-story building.

    The first luxury hotel of its kind in Austin, the Commodore Perry Estate features 54 guest rooms and suites, a fitness studio and swimming pool, an organic urban garden, acres of lush grounds, and the newly opened and widely praised Lutie’s Garden Restaurant with local chefs Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu at the helm.

    While Travel + Leisure makes much of the property’s unique charm, the publication takes particular note of its exacting service and relaxing nature.

    “Even with all the eye candy,” Travel + Leisure says, “the best part of a stay might be a few hours spent lounging poolside under a canopy of oak trees with lunch from chef Bradley Nicholson, who uses produce supplied by the estate’s 2-acre farm.”

    Also noted on Travel + Leisure’s best new hotels list is Hotel Magdalena, the South Congress Avenue beauty from Austin-based hospitality biz Bunkhouse Group, which was founded by hotelier Liz Lambert. Bunkhouse is behind other such beloved hotel brands as Austin’s Hotel San Jose and Hotel Saint Cecilia, as well as El Cosmico, the funky Marfa property featuring yurts, teepees, and quirky trailers.

    With 89 guest rooms, Hotel Magdalena, which opened last fall, is Bunkhouse’s largest brand. The lake-house-inspired hotel includes a pool and pool bar; an array of amenities; and onsite restaurant Summer House on Music Lane, which features executive chef Jeffrey Hundelt’s menu of crafted, seasonal fare.

    Admiring Hotel Magdalena’s groovy Austin aesthetic and its nod to local music lore, Travel + Leisure says, “In-room comfort is complete with all the Bunkhouse signatures — thematic mini-bar, custom playlist streamed on vintage speakers, and iconic striped robes — bolstered by unique touches like gorgeous photography by local legend Scott Newton, whose camera has been a fixture in the city's music scene for decades.”

    listshotels
    news/travel

    most read posts

    2 Houston-born restaurants named best in U.S. and more popular stories

    New York Times-recognized Houston soul food cafe closes before big move

    Bun B dishes on new Trill Burgers, future plans, Trill Tenders, and more

    WINE NEWS

    Fredericksburg winery uncorks new ranch-inspired tasting room

    Brandon Watson
    Sep 28, 2026 | 2:30 pm
    Formando Vineyards
    Photo courtesy of Formando Vineyards
    Formando Vineyards will open its tasting room on October 1.

    A new tasting room is giving Houstonians another reason to take a trip to the Hill Country. Formando Vineyards, a family owned winery shaped by six generations of Texas ranching, will open at 11835 N. State Highway 16 in Fredericksburg on October 1.

    Ceci McBride and her nephew, Henry Johnson, founded the brand in 2019, choosing a name that paid homage to the vaquero traditions of the family’s Chaparrosa Ranch. The Spanish “formando” translates to “forming,” and the family likens the winemaking process to the care and patience ranchers use to develop a horse for riding.

    All of the label’s fruit, sourced from select Hill Country growers and the family’s estate in Gillespie County, is painstakingly harvested by hand. The family says their goal is to leave the land better than they found it.

    "We wanted Formando to feel inseparable from the land and our family's history," Johnson said in a release. "At the same time, we want guests to discover just how expressive and exciting Texas-grown wine can be."

    "For six generations, our family has gathered around the land, the table and the traditions of ranch life," McBride added. "Formando is our opportunity to welcome people into that story."

    Formando Vineyards Co-owners Ceci McBride (l) and Henry Johnson pose with wine club coordinator Estella Winton.Photo courtesy of Formando Vineyards

    The portfolio includes whites like Picpoul Blanc and Grenache Blanc and reds like Sangiovese and Montepulciano. But the flagship blend is more personal. Harry's Red is named for McBride's late son and “honors the love, connection, and family memories that helped shape Formando.”

    Guests can drop in to Formando to order wine by the glass and bites such as house-made focaccia, Texas charcuterie, sandwiches, and pizzas. But for the full experience, the winery recommends a guided tasting. The three options — red-only, mixed wines, and a food pairing — run 60-90 minutes.

    The winery also offers the Señor Pico Wine Club, which has three membership tiers with benefits ranging from member discounts and first dibs on new releases to complimentary tastings and exclusive invitations to private events.

    Following the debut, Formando’s tasting room will be open Thursday through Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Reservations can be made online.

    winefredericksburghill countrytasting roomsopenings
    news/travel
    Loading...