15 of the best hotels in Texas, from old school luxury in San Antonio to Wild West vibes in Fort Worth

Book the Isla Grand Beach Resort

South Padre Island is southern Texas' premier beach getaway, and a pretty affordable one, too.

The Isla Grand Beach Resort couldn't have a better location right off the Queen Isabella Causeway, on a slice of prime beachfront real estate in the heart of South Padre Island. If you want to head off property for dining, drinking, or sightseeing, there's plenty within walking distance.

But there's so much going on at the resort that if you didn't want to leave, you wouldn't have to. While the majority of hotels on the island are big-name chains with limited amenities, the Isla Grand Beach Resort has two pools, sports courts, grassy lawns with hammocks, and several restaurants and bars, including a nightclub with live music pretty much every weekend.

There are 128 Cabana rooms spread throughout the property's low-rise buildings, which can each fit three to four guests. If you're traveling with the whole family, however, you might want to book one of the condos that have two bedrooms and full kitchens.

Just keep in mind that South Padre Island is a popular choice for spring break, so be mindful of the dates you book.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the El Cosmico

Marfa is a remote desert town in West Texas that's an art lover's dream, drawing everyone from low-key folk artists to the late Minimalist master Donald Judd. For boho-style travelers, the best lodging in town is El Cosmico, which is a glamping-style compound.

Spread across 21 acres are a series of off-kilter accommodations, from restored vintage trailers to yurts and tepees. While the trailers have kitchenettes and bathrooms, the other spaces are a little more bare-bones and share a bathhouse.

Inside you'll find electrical outlets and a real bed dressed with colorful sarapes (Mexican blankets that you can even purchase), so you won't be sleeping on the ground. For a slightly more comfortable stay, book the Cosmic Kasita, a hippie-chic tiny house. No matter where you stay, you'll be surrounded by rainbow hues, Native American–inspired textiles, and a general boho-chic atmosphere. The goal here is to connect with nature, not your iPhone, so there's no Wi-Fi in any of the accommodations, except for the main building.

Amenities are limited; stop by the provisions store to buy some beers, then head to the outdoor kitchen to grill your own dinner. There are, however, Dutch-style hot tubs that you can book for an additional fee, as well as free hammocks for snoozes or stargazing.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book Lone Star Court

Located in North Austin, The Lone Star Court Hotel covers four acres on the quieter side of the Domain, a shopping, entertainment, and residential area that's continually expanding. The retro-inspired hotel offers a resort experience with a modern twist through landscaped courtyards, lawn games, fire pits, a pool, and complimentary bicycles.

The 123 rooms open to large ranch-house breezeways with rocking chairs. Room interiors include classic Texas elements with sliding barn-style bathroom doors and cow-hide director's chairs.

There's live music every weekend and a food truck court including Aurora Venezuelan and Waffletaste trucks. In addition, there's an on-site restaurant, The Water Trough, serving Hill Country-inspired dishes.

COVID-19 procedures are available here. 

Book the Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel

Though as a whole, Galveston is a family-friendly beach destination, the Hotel Galvez & Spa stands out amongst its neighbors for being a much more romantic, sophisticated option.

Ten years after the devastating 1901 hurricane wiped out much of the island, the Hotel Galvez opened its doors to welcome guests as the Galveston's grande dame, and it's been doing so ever since.

The hotel features a quiet, elegant pool area, a casual seafood restaurant, and a spa with eucalyptus steam rooms and a meditation garden. There's also a full-service gym, but that's about it in terms of amenities. You're really here for the beach. Unfortunately, the Seawall Boulevard gets in the way of the sand, but it's not too difficult to make the crossing every day.

There are 224 rooms in total and standard room types are divided by view — choose a Gulf-facing room — while suites are named after Galveston history and important figures, from Houstonian Howard Hughes to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Each has classic, refined decor and a comfortable mattress with plush betting, while suites have sitting areas and wet bars.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book Lively Beach

On Mustang Island, a quiet, nature-driven beach destination between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi is the unassuming Lively Beach, a collection of eco-friendly condos spread out over 46 acres (11 of which are developed, and 35 of which are preserved wetlands).

The units range in size from a studio efficiency to a two-bedroom unit and are loosely based on the design of a traditional Moroccan riad with a courtyard in the middle. They also feature fresh coastal-cool decor and are connected to the beach by a private elevated boardwalk.

There's no on-site restaurant or bar as guests are expected to use the kitchen in their condo, but there is a shared pool. For evening entertainment, the hotel is just a few minutes away from restaurants and bars. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Heywood Hotel

If you love food, drink, music but don't want the overdevelopment of most Austin neighborhoods, head to East Austin. There, you'll probably drive right past this hotel because it looks nothing like one. The Heywood Hotel is located inside a 1920s Craftsman bungalow in trendy East Austin where it combines the homeyness of an Airbnb with the convenience of a hotel.

There are just seven rooms, each decorated with handcrafted furniture and local art. The Stearns and Foster mattresses are a particularly big hit with guests, who rave about their comfort.

But because the Heywood Hotel is more like a private home, there are few if any amenities. There are no restaurants or bars, for instance, but there is free Wi-Fi and loaner bikes (and helmets!).

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Stockyards Hotel

You might write off Fort Worth as the uninteresting little sister to Dallas, but if you love Wild West history, you need to visit the Stockyards and stay at the Stockyards Hotel.

Opened in 1907, the property has seen its fair share of cowboys, outlaws, and everyone in between. Renovated numerous times over the years, the Stockyards Hotel still maintains its nostalgic Texan charm without feeling dated.

There are 52 rooms, and the standard ones come in four styles: Native American, Western, Victorian, Mountain Man. The suites are named after famous Texans, such as Davy Crockett. The most impressive room, however, is the Bonnie and Clyde Suite. The bank-robbing couple stayed in this very room, which is now filled with historical artifacts, including Bonnie's revolver.

Other than a restaurant, there aren't many amenities. Thankfully, there's plenty to do right outside the hotel, with restaurants, bars, shopping, and even daily cattle drives that keep the spirit of the Wild West alive.

Book The Adolphus Hotel, Autograph Collection

Downtown Dallas isn't the city's tourism hub, but it's worth a visit to stay in Dallas' original luxury hotel, the Adolphus.

The property first opened in 1912 but underwent a major renovation in 2018 that breathed new life into the storied property. Modeled after a German castle, the historic beaux-arts structure is famous for its French Room, a fine dining restaurant kitted out with extravagant Murano chandeliers, Louis XVI-style chairs, and gleaming gilt accents. Don't miss afternoon tea here.

But that's not the only stellar amenity. There are two other restaurants and bars, which are more casual but no less spectacular in their offerings. On the rooftop, find a pool with private cabanas, and inside, there's a 5,000-square-foot spa, including a couple's treatment room with a private terrace.

Speaking of rooms, there are 407 at the hotel, each with 10-foot ceilings and sophisticated decor. Though the building might be more than 100 years old, the rooms are delightfully updated.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District

Houston is a city of neighborhoods, and the Museum District is best known for, well, its museums. Funky Texan hospitality group Hotel ZaZa has four properties across Texas, but the Museum District outpost is our favorite given its stellar location, over-the-top decor, and eccentric themed suites. This is a much more fun stay than you'll find in a standard chain hotel.

At the pet-friendly Zaza, there are 315 suites, the most basic of which feature graphic-print headboards in sultry red and black. Things get crazier in themed suites where you'll find a life-size astronaut statue in the Houston We Have a Problem room and mirrored walls in the Rock Star Suite.

Rooms aside, the decor in the public spaces is also quite flamboyant, whether at the bistro Monarch, which has a fantastic terrace, or the pool area with black-and-white striped loungers. Even the spa has bold art prints. Despite the loud decor, though, you'll feel perfectly serene once you're down on the table getting a massage.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Rancho Pillow

Twice a year, the Round Top Antiques Fair draws thousands of shoppers to the eponymous Texas town located about halfway between Houston and Austin. But Rancho Pillow puts Round Top on the map all year long. Formerly an artists' retreat, this 20-acre ranch owned by Sheila Youngblood is now available for other guests to book.

Accommodations range from the century-old multi-bedroom Red House to the Native American-style tepee, all ensconced in bright colors, bold patterns, and globally inspired textiles and antiques. A word to the wise: if you book the tepee, just note that you'll need to use the outdoor bathhouse, as there's no running water inside. Thankfully, there is air-conditioning.

The bathhouse is actually a communal space, in case anyone wants to enjoy bathing in the great outdoors. There's also a saltwater wading pool, a shared mess hall and gathering place in the Barn, and outdoor activities like croquet and badminton.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Thompson San Antonio

When you think of San Antonio's River Walk, you're probably picturing the crowded mariachi-band-lined pathways of the central hub. But the North River Walk neighborhood, just across the river from the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, is a far quieter, more upscale area just a short walk away.

Opened in February 2021, the pet-friendly, art-filled Thompson San Antonio is the sleek luxury hotel the city needed. Housed in a shiny new building, the property is poised to become one of the hottest food and beverage spots in town thanks to Landrace, which serves elevated Texas cuisine, and The Moon's Daughters rooftop restaurant and bar, which is a lively place to party; its special event calendar syncs up with the lunar cycle for Full Moon parties. But no matter what's going on in the night sky, there is live music or a DJ every Friday and Saturday night.

Not into the party scene? Head to the 5,000-square-foot spa to relax, or take a yoga class in the fitness center to ground yourself.

You can also retreat to your room. There are 162 of them, each with equestrian-inspired decor, a stash of D.S. & Durga bath products, and a high-end espresso machine. If you splurge on the Penthouse Suite, you'll be treated to a private terrace and a pool table.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Just 15 miles outside of downtown Dallas is the exquisite Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, an ideal weekend getaway for locals or a destination trip for travelers as part of any visit to Dallas. 

The urban resort places wellness at the forefront, with an 18-hole golf course, 12 tennis courts, and a three-story sports club with classes like aerial yoga and mixed martial arts. For downtime, head to the spa, to the restaurant LAW (that is, Land, Air, Water), or to one of the three pools. If you brought your whole family, there's a kids' club to keep the little ones entertained.

With 431 neutral-toned rooms, you might expect the property to feel crowded, but everything is spread out enough that it's quite serene. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Set in the centrally-located Galleria shopping hub of Houston, The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is arguably the most luxurious hotel in town — and potentially in all of Texas.

Its owner is local billionaire Tillman J. Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets NBA team, who spared no expense with this over-the-top property. In fact, it would fit in swimmingly among Dubai's dazzling hotels, and not only because its design was inspired by the Dubai Opera House.

Amenities include a Miami-like pool and bar, four restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa, a salon, a 30,000-bottle wine cellar, a Rolls-Royce showroom (yes, in the hotel), and a multimillion-dollar art collection.

The 270 sophisticated guest rooms are a little less flashy with calming, neutral color schemes. But everything is luxe here, too, from the heated marble bathroom floors to button-operated curtains that open and close on demand. The attention to detail is high with Bluetooth connectivity and a toe ledge in the walk-in shower. Rooms start at 500 square feet and go up to the 5,000-square-foot penthouse with a private helipad.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book the Lake Austin Spa Resort

Though it's just 30 minutes outside of downtown Austin, the Lake Austin Spa Resort feels a world away from the city's bustle. The luxury resort covers 19 lakefront acres with prominent water features and wellness programming. 

As an all-inclusive resort, the vast majority of offerings are covered by the rate, from three gourmet meals made from ingredients grown on-site to morning yoga classes, water sports on the lake, and stargazing sessions with an astrologer. Think of this as an adult version of a summer camp, where mindfulness and fitness are the main focus. Regrettably, spa treatments are not included, but on the plus side, they're available for day guests to book.

If you do choose to splurge and spend the night, you'll stay in one of 40 French country-style accommodations, which range from quaint rooms with private meditation gardens to the elaborate Lady Bird Suite with a private hot tub. Each comes with fresh-cut daily flowers, Veuve Clicquot champagne upon arrival, a De'Longhi Lattissima Pro Espresso Machine, and toiletries with the spa's signature lavender scent, created from plants grown on-site.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Book Hotel Emma

If you're coming to San Antonio to party hard along the River Walk, Hotel Emma isn't for you. But if you're more interested in sampling gourmet cuisine, sipping on local brews, and taking artistic architectural photos for your Instagram, be sure to book a room.

Hotel Emma is housed in a century-old former brewery in the trendy Pearl District, and its designers, acclaimed hospitality firm Roman & Williams, kept much of the industrial-chic ambiance throughout.

In the guest rooms, brick walls display a patina of old paint behind embroidered curtains, while concrete floors are dressed in textured rugs. And while things might look rustic, they're high quality. Bed linens, for instance, are Frette.

As for amenities, food and beverage are the focus at Hotel Emma, with each guest welcomed with a margarita. Dining options include the American restaurant Supper, the tavern Sternewirth, and the market-meets-bar Larder. There's also a food truck at the rooftop pool, serving picnic-appropriate bites and frozen cocktails. After exploring the hotel, hop on one of the loaner electric bikes to go sightseeing downtown.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Which Texas hotels are good for families?

Because hotels in Texas are so varied, the answer depends on the type of trip you're looking to take with your family.

For instance, you could go the beach resort route, in which case you might want to try Isla Grand Beach Resort on South Padre Island. Alternatively, the Stockyards Hotel provides Wild West-style fun for the whole family. 

Which Texas hotels are good for couples?

For couples who want to connect with nature, stay at El Cosmico in Marfa for an intimate glamping experience. For a luxurious wellness vacation, pamper yourselves at the Lake Austin Spa Resort.

Are there Texas hotels on the beach?

Texas has 367 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, which translates to several pristine white-sand beaches. While some beaches are in more remote wilderness areas, others have been built up into major beach towns, where you'll find hotels of all shapes and sizes, not to mention restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions.

Check out South Padre Island, Corpus Christi, and Galveston for Texas' best beaches.

Which hotels in Texas have rooms with a private pool or lazy river?

Texas might be hot, but private plunge pools and lazy rivers are somewhat rare at hotels across the state. The best hotel for rooms with a private pool is the Inn at Dos Brisas in Washington, a nine-room luxury ranch, while the hotel with the best lazy river is the Marriott Marquis Houston, which has a rooftop lazy river in the shape of Texas.

Are there COVID restrictions in Texas?

At the time of publication, there are no COVID-19 restrictions in Texas. People are encouraged to wear masks when social distancing is not possible, but masks are not a requirement.

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