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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New Parks

54,000-acre Hill Country ranch to become Texas' 2nd largest state park

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Sitting roughly 350 miles west of Houston, nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful hill country wildlife and nature at a Texas manageable drive of about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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