the inn crowd

6 Houston hotels check in as best in Texas in coveted annual ranking

A skyline view of The Post Oak Hotel at sunset.

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston was named the #1 hotel in Texas.

Photo courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment

Finding hotel accommodations for that next vacation or staycation in Texas just got a lot easier. A new list released by US News & World Report has ranked six Houston hotels among the best in the state. The publication collects its information through hotel ratings, customer reviews, and industry award analysis.

Houston’s only double five-star hotel and spa The Post Oak Hotel was awarded the No. 1 spot, known for its “tropical sanctuary” pool, nine restaurants and bars, and ultra-modern room amenities and decor. In another US News & World Report article, The Post Oak was ranked the No. 31 best hotel in the nation.

“This prestigious list evaluates the top hotels from around the globe, and it is an honor to be included,” said Steven Chou, general manager at The Post Oak Hotel, in a statement. “We are so proud of our passionate colleagues who continue to deliver exceptional experiences to our guests year after year. To be ranked 1st in Texas and 31st in the nation further solidifies this hotel as a true, world-class destination.”

The Four Seasons Hotel Houston took No. 5 with its stunning, indulgent spa and award-winning dining destination (Toro Toro) headed by restaurateur Richard Sandoval. The conveniently located JW Marriott Downtown was placed just outside the top 10 at No. 11 and is within walking distance of many popular restaurants and attractions, such as Sambuca, the Houston Public Library, the House of Blues, and much more.

Taking No. 14 and No. 15, respectively, are mainstays The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa and The St. Regis, each on either side of 610 and both within a mile of Memorial Park.

A little farther down the list at No. 22 is the sixth top hotel in Houston – the Hotel Granduca. This Italian-inspired hotel welcomes guests (and pets!) with excellent customer service and gourmet Italian cuisine or afternoon tea. Other top hotels in Texas from the US News and & World Report hail from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

The full list of the top 25 best hotels in Texas include:

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Dallas
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection – Austin
Hotel Emma – San Antonio
Four Seasons Hotel – Houston
The Ritz-Carlton – Dallas
Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
The Driskill – Austin
Fairmont Austin
Four Seasons Hotel – Austin
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa – San Antonio
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
The St. Regis Houston
Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
Miraval Austin
Lake Austin Spa Resort
La Cantera Resort & Spa – San Antonio
Hotel Granduca Austin
Mokara Hotel & Spa – San Antonio
Hotel Granduca Houston
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa – Austin
The Ashton Hotel – Fort Worth
Thompson Dallas

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LIVING HISTORY

Texas Revolution comes to life at new immersive attraction in Gonzales

Facebook/Texas Legacy in Lights

'Texas Legacy in Lights' puts audiences in the midst of Texas history.

A brand new way to experience the history of the Lone Star State has debuted at the Gonzales Memorial Museum, located about two hours from Houston. Texas Legacy in Lights bills itself as the "world's first permanent, narrative-driven, live-action projection mapping film."

The film was produced and directed by Gonzales native John Franklin Rinehart, who used 3D mapping projection to bring to life the story of the Texas Revolution starting in 1835, including the Battle of Gonzales. It is projected in HD on the museum’s façade after dark, and audiences are encouraged to sit on the museum lawn to take in the one-of-a-kind visual presentation that puts them in the middle of the action.

"It's a great experience for our city," says Gonzales Mayor Isaac Anzaldua. "Everybody here seems to be enjoying themselves, and with this, they begin to understand where they came from. We still embody the same spirit of 'come and take it' that they had back in 1835."

The film delves into the little-known history of the iconic "Come and Take It" flag created by Sarah DeWitt, who sewed it from her daughter's wedding dress. Peggy Schott (Fear the Walking Dead) portrays the iconic Texas pioneer.

"I had family in Texas before the Revolution who were there, and I was so excited to join this project," Schott says in a press release. "It's hard to find stories of the women from that time. I'm honored to play Sarah DeWitt and to tell her story in a way that will inspire people for years to come."

A woman's face in the Texas Legacy in Lights Show An image from the immersive new Texas history projection show. Photo courtesy of Texas Legacy in Lights

Most stories of the Texas Revolution focus on the more famous moments at the end of the war, such as the fall of the Alamo and the decisive victory at San Jacinto. Texas Legacy of Lights, instead, highlights the opening volleys in the war for independence from Mexico, many of which took place in and around Gonzales.

"One hundred years from now," Mayor Anzaldua says, "our community will look back and see how we continued to embody the Come and Take It spirit — a spirit of determination, love, and peace. To know that we share a part in shaping the future of our great city is exciting and very rewarding."

The outdoor presentation runs Tuesday-Sunday at 8:25 pm and 9:15 pm at the Gonzales Memorial Museum (414 Smith St). Screenings are free and open to the public. Watch the trailer for the film here:

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