Short Cut To Galveston

A faster way to Galveston: Shave 15 minutes (or more) off of your trip with this route

There are two things in Houston which occur regularly but still manage to be unpredictable— the rain and the traffic. With clouds looming over Independence Day weekend, Houstonians may not be able to avoid the rain, but you may be able to cut 15 minutes (or more) off of a trip to Galveston by taking the HOV lane on I-45 through the worst of Houston traffic.

That may be easier said than done, however. For most Houstonians, this HOV lane is the most confusing, as there are no simple exit and entry points and, once on the main freeway, you can't shift over onto the HOV lane, like you can on the Katy Freeway.

But if you follow these recommendations, you can make the trip to Galveston — or at least the 15.5 miles from downtown to just past Beltway 8 where the HOV ends at Dixie Farm Road— a little bit easier.

Do you qualify?

You can't sail down this HOV lane alone. But if you have another passenger you're good to go. Vehicles carrying two or more passengers can use the I-45 South HOV lane every weekend this summer.

What are the times?

On holidays (like July 4th), the lane will operate on the Saturday schedule — the southbound HOV lane headed to Galveston on I-45 will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the northbound HOV back into Houston will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sundays, the HOV operates only from Galveston into Houston from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Where do you find it?

This is the trickiest part, as you can only enter the HOV lane from designated entry and exit points. Probably the easiest way when headed to Galveston is to enter the HOV lane near its inception at Pierce Street in downtown Houston. Jerome Gray, METRO's senior press officer, suggests that drivers enter from a ramp located on Pierce Street just before Dowling.

Another common entry point is the Eastwood Transit Center. To access it, take the Lockwood Drive exit and follow the traffic signs to enter the HOV. Other entry points include one near the Monroe Street Park & Ride and another at the Fuqua and South Point Park & Rides. A full list of HOV entrances, including diagrams, is available on the Metro website.

On the return from Galveston, you have to follow an exit off of Dixie Farm Road to get onto the HOV lane.

Confusing? A little. But those who do it regularly say it's worth the effort

For a more information visit www.ridemetro.org. Brochures at the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors center also offer more information.

You can get to Galveston faster on weekends by using the HOV lane — if you can find it.

Pleasure Pier, Galveston, sunrise, sunset

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier.com

You can get to Galveston faster on weekends by using the HOV lane — if you can find it.

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Spa getaways

2 Texas destination spas named among world's best by Condé Nast readers

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake Austin Spa Resort has reached the top of the list for U.S. properties.

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler have voted for their favorite spas in the world, and two favorite Texas retreats are on the list.

Lake Austin Spa Resorthas been named No. 3 among the "Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World," which was also No. 1 out of the American contenders. In the 2023 awards, it was second in the country, and it could continue moving up the ranks worldwide if it beats the Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA in Turkey, or BodyHoliday in St. Lucia — two very tall orders.

It is joined byMiraval Austin Resort & Spa at No. 20, the only other Texas resort on the list. There were 30 spas and resorts on the list overall.

Contributing writers from the magazine acted as reviewers to make sure the selections were covered in firsthand detail.

"Everything is centered on wellness," wroteLake Austin Spa Resort's reviewer, Texas contributor Allison Bagley, "from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting."

The 40-room resort has a garden-chic feel, with lots of mixed stone and timber construction, plants indoors and out, and elegant bird-themed artwork in several rooms. As Bagley points out, this isn't a place to pop over between errands, but a retreat from the city about 30 miles away.

Lake Austin Spa Resort's garden-chic interior.Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort via Condé Nast Traveler

The review also cites the resort's "cottage feel," soft bed, the spa's own products in the bathroom, a room service menu featuring ingredients grown on site, guided stargazing sessions, and the approachability of classes by Paul, the yoga teacher.

"One of the pools is housed inside a barn — it's a striking setting," wrote Bagley of highlights that didn't fit neatly into the pre-determined review categories. "And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings."

In a release, Lake Austin Spa Resort expressed gratitude and shared more tips about the property.

“Moving up from the #2 position to #1 is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to create transformative experiences that have a lasting impact," said general manager JoAnn Lenhardt in the release. "We are sincerely grateful to Condé Nast Traveler readers for their trust and ongoing enthusiasm for our Texas Hill Country retreat."

In addition to Bagley's favorite things, the property also calls attention to its stand-up paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and a special treatment tool that's the only one of its kind in North America: a Comfort Zone Zone Skin Analysis Scan. It also shares four awards from 2024 alone, coming from Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10, Elle Magazine, and the Hotel O-Awards.

At Miraval, Austin-based contributing writer Stirling Kelso took note of similar highlights like a natural setting removed from the actual city of Austin, a focus on wellness, and Texas stone architecture. One big standout, although it might just be Kelso's clever turn of phrase that emphasized it, is the clientele.

Miraval Austin interior Miraval's minimalist, modern looks.Photo by James Baigrie, courtesy Miraval Austin via Condé Nast Traveler

Answering, "Who stays here?" Kelso writes, "The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules."

In contrast to Lake Austin Spa Resorts, lake-house aesthetic, Miraval is a more modern look and feel. The art is not of nearby flora and fauna, but abstract shapes and references to Eastern design. Kelso also points out that wine, beer, and cocktails are available, despite being rare at wellness retreats.

With both falling in the world's top 30, Texan spa-goers surely can't go wrong choosing either destination. More information about the selected properties, broken up into similar elements for easy comparison, is available at cntraveler.com.

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