grab and go and fly

New United Club Fly provides a quick respite for travelers at IAH

Employees gather around a coffee machine at the United Club Fly in IAH.

United Club Fly is a premium lounge at IAH that keeps things moving.

Photo by Jef Rouner

A new kind of lounge is now open in Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). United now offers access to United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go lounge that is designed to give travelers a premium experience even when they're in a rush.

"At United, we really strive to meet diverse travel needs," said Kay Jackson, senior manager of clubs and loungers for United at a press review held on Monday, February 24. "We know not everyone travels in the same way, and we want to offer different United Club products for different travel be needs. Club Fly specifically is one way that we intend to meet the needs of the on-the-go traveler. It is really unique and that is for that traveler that is pressed for time, whether they have a tight connection or just don't have a lot of time in the airport. They can quickly stop in, refuel, recharge, and be on their way."

Club Fly has a bright, Space City feel, with light-colored walls and beveled surfaces at odd angles that make it look ever-so-slightly like a public space from a Star Trek episode. Amenities include a full-service coffee bar staffed by baristas, to-go pre-packed snacks like chips, warm pastries, and a variety of small meals like pre-made sandwiches and salads that can be eaten at the nearby counters or taken into the terminal. Departure times are displayed on the wall to make sure no one misses their flight. Notably, Club Fly does not serve alcohol.

All items in Club Fly are complimentary for United Club members, United Club Infinite cardholders, Star Alliance Gold members, and United customers traveling internationally in a premium cabin. Entry is achieved simply by scanning a boarding pass or United Club card. The area is open from 5:30 am to 8 pm daily.

This is the second United Club Fly location. The first opened at Denver International Airport (DEN) in 2022. This one has a few extra Houston flourishes. In addition to the spacey aesthetic, the coffee bar serves a Galaxy Latte (blueberry acai) that was a hit with all the touring visitors in both hot and cold forms. Freshly-squeezed orange juice was available as a healthy alternative.

"We're certainly very excited with how the space has turned out," said Jackson.

Club Fly continues the overall IAH trend toward streamlining the speed with which travelers pass through the airport. Earlier this year, the airport completed its long-awaited traffic congestion relief plan, including additional open lanes for drop-offs and a new international arrivals terminal. Even during peak hours, getting into and around the airport is now nearly seamless with low waiting times and less overall travel stress. Club Fly's quick recharge philosophy is another way the airport keeps things moving briskly, a necessity as IAH sees more and more travel thanks to increased routes.

Photo by Jef Rouner

Welcome to the United Club Fly at IAH.

george bush intercontinental airport iah united airlines

a major award

Art-filled boutique hotel in the Heights earns coveted Michelin Key

Photo by Julie Soefer

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A boutique hotel in the Heights is one of seven Texas properties to earn a coveted Michelin Key. The Hotel Daphne, a Bunkhouse property that opened in 2025, joins these other Texas stays on the list:

Four Seasons Hotel Austin
The Frances Modern Inn (Austin)
Hotel 1928 (Waco)
Missing Hotel (Marble Falls)
The Ritz-Carlton Dallas (Las Colinas)
Sophie’s Gasthaus (New Braunfels)

In its entry on the Michelin website, the Guide’s inspectors hail the five-story, 49-room property, which is also home to Hypsi, an Italian restaurant led by Houston chef Terrence Gallivan, and Bar Daphne, an art-filled cocktail bar. The hotel's walls are adorned with more than 160 pieces from the Ackerley Family Collection, which focuses on works created by living Texas artists.

A bohemian Bunkhouse hideaway and One-Key in Houston’s The Heights, with 49 rooms, a library, and a restaurant serving house-made pasta. Select suites come with a balcony; unexpected details include stitched floral headboards and funky soap dishes. A lobby shop sells locally produced jewelry and home décor.

“Being awarded a Michelin Key is a testament to our wonderful team and all the hard work they have put in to make Daphne what it is,” owner Ben Ackerly tells CultureMap. “The Heights community has been great in how well we’ve been received, and now that is being recognized on a broader scale with this accolade.”

Announced Friday, September 18, Michelin added 65 properties in America to its list of Key-worthy stays, bringing the overall total to more than 350 hotels nationwide. Hotel Daphne is the fifth Houston hotel to earn One Key status, joining The Post Oak Hotel, Hotel ZaZa Houston (Museum District), Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, and the Hotel Saint Augustine, a Bunkhouse property in Montrose. The Carr Mansion in Galveston also holds one Michelin Key.

Similar to the famous Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants, hotels may receive one, two, or three keys, which is defined as follows:

One Michelin Key for hotels that offer "very special" stays with service that "provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments."
Two Michelin Keys for "exceptional stays" where memorable guest experiences are "always guaranteed" with a special emphasis on the hotel's design or architecture.
Three Michelin Keys for hotels that provide "extraordinary stays" for "the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance."

No properties in Texas hold three Michelin Keys. The state’s only two key properties are the Commodore Perry Estate (Austin), the Bowie House (Fort Worth), and Hotel Emma (San Antonio).

hotels hotel daphne awards michelin keys the-heights