If you’ve ever tried to climb the narrow, marbled stairwell of a completely refurbished art deco building in four-inch heels, you’ll understand the importance of slick black turn-of-the-last-century iron handrails.
Climbing my way to a second-floor ballroom, I knew I should’ve taken the elevator, but the side stairwell called out with its polished marble and original wrought iron detailing. It was hard to resist the urge to see “behind the scenes” in one of the first steel and concrete skyscrapers in the country–even on a night when I wasn’t exactly dressed for exploring.
Downtown Houston has some of the most eclectic and laid-back luxe hotels in Texas, several of them located in fully renovated or refurbished early 20th century skyscrapers. In a city that prides itself on award-winning cuisine, a culture of custom cocktails, an appreciation for high art, and acres of woodlands nearby, you’ve got a recipe for some of the best hotel experiences in the South. Yes, that’s a bold statement. And Houston is a bold city.
These are nine of the coolest hotels in Houston.