Why did this hotel catch your attention?
It's impossible to miss how extremely elegant this place as soon as you step in the lobby with its long chandelier and low-rise velvet chairs. It feels truly upscale. You might also first notice it by reputation: It was rated as Houston's only Diamond hotel.
What's the backstory?
This is the most expensive hotel in Houston and that's something that you notice. The Post Oak's billionaire owner Tilman Fertitta spared nothing here. He believes, for example, that a great hotel needs great art, so he put large works on display throughout (he's particularly fond of the Frank Stella in the entry). But it's not luxury for luxury's sake. "Luxury equals convenience," says Fertitta. "The design [here] is for the customer. You go into a lot of great hotels, and architects don't worry about the shapes of the rooms; they design them from the outside. Nothing is truly built for convenience." Here, whether you're considering shaving your legs in the bathtub or ensuring you have a comfortable seat for watching TV, it's been considered (standard rooms, for instance, have three TVs).
Tell us all about your room.
The all-white marble bathroom, with custom-beaded crystal light fixtures, was a highlight. 500-count Egyptian cotton bed linens, robes in both full- and half-size lengths, his and her slippers, logo flip-flops for the swimming pool, turn down service with a different handmade chocolate each night, complimentary iPads, and a set of personal dumbbells for guests who prefer a quick workout in their room than a trip to the gym; these are the touches big and small, expected and unexpected, that make a stay here. There is opulence here, but it isn't over the top. My only quibble: the colors were a bit too dark for my taste. I would have preferred a lighter color palette because it felt geared toward men rather than women.
How's the Wi-Fi?
There is no charge for Wi-fi and the quality is excellent.
Food and drink—what are we looking at?
The lobby level restaurant, Bloom and Bee, with hand-blown glass flowers covering the ceiling, is especially lovely. The menu, in keeping with luxury theme, features specialties like Royal Ossetra caviar and designer sweets; one called The Hive is made with dried meringue, lavender ice cream, lemon olive oil cake, and morello cherry gel. Pastry chef Oralia Perez is exceptionally talented (so talented that her macaroons are in Bouchon). Elsewhere on the menu, the Texas Trio, with charred poblano queso, fire-roasted salsa, and crispy corn tortillas, will give you a good introduction to Houston. I'd totally eat at Bloom and Bee (and I did) even if I wasn't staying at the Post Oak. Be sure to order a special bottle from the wine cellar—valued at a cool $5 million.
What about the service? Anything stand out?
The service was smooth and efficient from the time the bellmen opened the door to turn down in the evening. Check-in was painless (the lobby level check-in experience next to a giant vase of fresh flowers and facing the sparkling pool actually felt refreshing). For a bit of an over-the-top perk, the concierge is able to arrange helicopter services to NASA through its rooftop helipad, as well as myriad other special excursions.
What type of travelers will you find here?
Guests are put together and chic—lots of suits and ties, and women dressed in cocktail attire.
What about the neighborhood? What else will we find here?
The neighborhood is upscale and busy. There's a Rolls Royce dealership in the same building as the hotel, which tells you a bit about where you are. Nearby is Mastro's steakhouse, and right outside is a canopy of majestic oak trees and cascading fountains.
Is there anything you'd change?
The price, as I've heard often, is rather high for Houston. But it really is worth it for all the extras.
Anything else worth noting?
The 20,000-square-foot urban spa on the hotel’s fifth floor is a thing of beauty, with tranquility pools with body-contouring hot stoned daybeds; aromatherapy-infused steam rooms; detoxifying high temperature, low humidity saunas; multi-sensory thermal showers, and quiet lounges with zero gravity chairs. And the bento "to-go" boxes at the spa are especially lovely after a massage. One other consideration: Given the on-site art collection, this does feel like a hotel for adults.
Bottom line: Worth it?
Absolutely. This hotel is a whole new ballgame for Houston
1600 West Loop South, Houston, Texas 77027
United States
https://www.thepostoakhotel.com/
(844) 386-1600