5-star Stay

Tilman Fertitta's Houston hotel tops U.S. News & Forbes lists for 2026

The Post Oak Hotel and its luxurious spa were crowned Texas' most elite hospitality property for 2026.

Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel

Houston's grand Post Oak Hotel has climbed into the No. 1 spot in U.S. News and World Report's prestigious list of the best Texas hotels in 2026, and it was awarded a five-star rating for the sixth year in a row by Forbes Travel Guide.

In addition to being named the best hotel in Texas, U.S. News ranked the Post Oak Hotel as the 15th best hotel in the U.S. for 2026.

The publication's Best Hotels rankings annually examine over 31,000 hotels and resorts across more than 400 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Europe to "help travelers find the hotel that suits their needs." Hotels are ranked based on industry awards, star ratings, and online guest reviews.

The Post Oak Hotel last reigned as Texas' best hotel in 2023, but it slipped into No. 2 in U.S. News' 2024 and 2025 rankings.

"Sleek decor, modern amenities and a standout concierge are just a few reasons why recent guests heap praise upon The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston," U.S. News wrote in the hotel's profile. "The property's 250 rooms and suites are outfitted in warm cocoa, gold and mahogany hues, featuring 50-inch smart TVs, marble bathrooms (also equipped with TVs, plus dual vanities, a tub and a separate shower), free Wi-Fi access and Nespresso coffee machines."

In a press release, general manager Steven Chou expressed his gratitude to both U.S. News and Forbes for "continually recognizing" the hotel and its staff's commitment to providing "top-notch service" for guests.

"2026 has only just begun and it’s already shaping up to be another banner year for The Post Oak Hotel," Chou said. "Receiving the news that the hotel is ranked number 15 in the U.S. this year was especially poignant and we look forward to continuing to show our guests why the hotel is among the best in the world."

Other Houston hotels that made it among U.S. News' top 50 best hotels in Texas include:

No. 5 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
No. 13 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 16 – The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
No. 17 – The St. Regis Houston
No. 25 – Hilton Americas-Houston
No. 26 – Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District
No. 32 – Marriott Marquis Houston

Houston hotels recognized in Forbes Travel Guide's 2026 Star Awards

Forbes Travel Guide recognized 25 Texas properties in its 2026 Star Awards rankings, with six Houston hotels and spas earning either four- or five-star ratings.

To determine the ratings, anonymous inspectors visit every hotel, restaurant, spa, and cruise ship in person, visiting as a typical guest for a minimum of two nights to review the quality and condition of each property and its overall guest experience. According to the rankings' methodology, inspectors pay their own way and no one can buy a rating.

The Post Oak Hotel and its hotel spa were the only two Houston properties to be awarded five-star ratings for 2026 for the sixth year in a row. The property also maintained its elite status as Texas’ only double five-star rated hotel and spa, according to the release.

The four other Houston properties that earned four-star ratings were the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Hotel Granduca Houston, The Houstonian Club, Hotel & Spa, and the Houstonian's Trellis Spa.

The St. Regis Houston, which was previously awarded a four-star rating in 2025, is undergoing a renovation and rebranding following a recent acquisition, making it absent from the 2026 rankings.

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lets go camping

4 scenic Texas campgrounds named among America's best in 2026

Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, top campgrounds for glamping 2026

Photo courtesy of Campspot

Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas is a must-visit destination in 2026.

Four Texas campsites have been lauded among the best campgrounds in America, according to the 2026 Campspot Awards.

The award-winning campgrounds are must-visit destinations that "turn a simple getaway into an unforgettable adventure," and are chosen based on a thorough review of over 3 million data points spanning guest ratings, reservation data, park features, and the quality of their Campspot Marketplace listing pages.

"The 2026 Campspot Awards highlight the best campgrounds across North America, recognized for their amazing locations, outstanding amenities, and unforgettable experiences," the report said. "Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, these winning destinations set the standard for exceptional camping."

One coastal Texas campground, Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, was named to the top campgrounds for glamping nationwide.

Tropic Island Resort is located about 200 miles from Houston in the heart of Port Aransas, and is just a short drive away from the beach, local restaurants, and shops. There are more than 170 different sites for visitors, such as fully furnished cottages, apartments, hotel rooms, and back-in and pull-thru RV sites.

Tropic Island Resort in Port Aransas, top campgrounds for glamping 2026 Rates at Tropic Island resort begin at $35 per night for back-in RV sites.Photo courtesy of Campspot

This isn't the first time Tropic Island Resort has earned acclaim in the annual Campspot Awards; it was dubbed one of the best campgrounds for national park lovers in 2023.

Other award-winning Texas campgrounds
The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb 270 miles from Houston, was named as one of the top campgrounds in U.S. and one of the best campgrounds for RVs.

The Vineyards is situated along Grapevine Lake, mere minutes from all of the wineries and shops on Historic Main Street in downtown Grapevine. The campground boasts national recognition for its "serene ambiance, scenic landscapes, lakeside panoramas, and attentive staff."

"After check-in, treat the kids to the playground or don your swimsuit and head to the private sandy beach for a day by the water," the campsite's profile said.

For Texans searching for a one-of-a-kind camping adventures in the Hill Country, Campspot provides two options: Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country in New Braunfels, a suburb outside San Antonio, and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg.

Like The Vineyards, Camp Fimfo earned a new distinction as one of the best campgrounds in the U.S. for 2026, and the Fredericksburg resort was also included in Campspot's list of the top campgrounds for RVs.

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