four to make ready
Houston's hottest downtown hotel books best-in-world spot in coveted Condé Nast Traveler's awards
Bandista, Four Seasons Houston's speakeasy, is literally a hidden gem.
Houston is one of America's most travel-friendly cities — both for residents and travelers — and our hotel scene is booming. A prestigious travel magazine has taken notice and anointed a downtown institution as one of the world's best.
Four Seasons Houston appears in in the top 50 of Condé Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards, specifically at No. 19 overall.
Celebrating its 35th year, the annual list collates the best hotels, airlines, cruises, and islands — all chosen by the magazine's readers from around the world.
Condé Nast calls out Four Seasons' "prime central location" in the city and the all-marble and mahogany interior, which "manages to straddle the line between Texas traditional and contemporary." (Kudos to Houston-based designer Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio and New York's firm Meyer Davis for those touches).
As CultureMap reported, Four Season Houston — known here as "Houston's living room — transformed its room and suites last year, creating new fresh spaces for everyday visitors and visiting celebs, sports stars, dignitaries, business tycoons, and more (the Penthouse Suite is a must-see).
More additions include Toro Toro steakhouse, which has become a downtown dining destination thanks to Richard Sandoval, known as the “Father of Modern Mexican Cuisine,” who opened the restaurant. The equally buzzy Bandista speakeasy bar — CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler notes its posh setting and that it "does quite a bit to up the drama" — and a new grand ballroom for A-list events add to the big updates.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this recognition from the savvy readers of Condé Nast Traveler,” Tom Segesta, Four Seasons general manager, notes in a statement. “With the completion of our transformation, we are prouder than ever to be Houston’s downtown destination and to welcome guests from near and far.”
To toast the accolades, the hotel is offering the H-Town Stay & Play package, which includes a $100 nightly resort credit, two signature cocktails at Bayou & Bottle or The Pool Deck, an extended 3 pm checkout, and overnight valet parking.
Joining Four Seasons Houston are three hot Austin hotels that fared quite well in the list:
- The Driskill (No. 3)
- JW Marriott Austin (No. 8)
- Four Seasons Hotel Houston (No. 19)
- Hotel Granduca Austin (No. 29)
CultureMap Houston editor Steven Devadanam contributed to this story.
Rates at Tropic Island resort begin at $35 per night for back-in RV sites.Photo courtesy of Campspot