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    Top Texas Hotels

    The best hotels in Texas for discerning Lone Star travelers

    Jennifer Chininis
    Mar 31, 2014 | 1:00 pm

    A vacation can be as much about the accommodations as the destination. Sometimes all that’s required is a comfy spot to rest a weary head, but more often we require something exceptional that we can’t get at home — whether in the form of ambience, amenities or service.

     

    Our list comprises properties big and small, brand names and boutiques. But each delivers something distinctive to earn the title best in Texas.

     

     Hotel Granduca, Houston
    Inspired by a sumptuous 16th century Italian palace known as much for its hospitality as for its opulence, Hotel Granduca excels in European design and service. Are you getting too hot as you lounge around the swimming pool? Iced towels coming up. Need the perfect cappuccino delivered to your suite or tickets for an evening at the ballet? Consider it done. Created by Giorgio Borlenghi, this luxury boutique hotel is a sublime sanctuary where self-indulgence is de rigueur. Also noteworthy is the tiny and romantic Ristorante Cavour featuring standout Tuscan cuisine.

     

     Hotel Havana, San Antonio
    West Texas-born hotelier Liz Lambert has a knack for transforming properties into something remarkable. Case in point: funky Hotel Havana, on a quiet stretch of the north River Walk, which was originally built in 1914 by a successful local grocer as a residence hotel for his buyers. The hotel’s pan-Latin influence pays homage to its Cuban city namesake as well as San Antonio’s Mexican roots — especially in restaurant-lounge Ocho, which is also a hot spot with the locals. The 27 guest rooms are an exercise in understated elegance, with antique furnishings, Turkish rugs and Cuban artwork.

     

     Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin
    The brainchild of hotelier Liz Lambert, Saint Cecilia honors the patron saint of music and poetry for which it’s named. Each of the 14 rooms — five suites, six poolside bungalows and three studios — inspire the artist within, with eclectic decor combining antiques, pop modern furnishings and original artwork, as well as vintage turntables. Luxury is not lost here, however; handmade Hastens mattresses from Sweden ensure a proper night’s rest. Fun touches include mini-bars stocked with local goods and a gift shop featuring irresistible accessories from local artisans. Although the property is just off the main drag of South Congress Avenue, this secluded retreat feels like a world away.

     

     Hotel ZaZa, Dallas and Houston
    Hotel ZaZa has a rep in Texas for its sexy themed decor — namely in the form of its over-the-top concept suites — and the scene surrounding the swimming pools. When you need to escape that see-and-be-seen thing, you can hide away in ZaSpa, where signature treatments like the Morning After scrub and wrap help purge any signs of partying from the night before. The Dallas property now has bungalows in nearby historic homes, which have a more private, residential feel, and guests have access to all of ZaZa’s swanky amenities.

     

     The Houstonian Club, Hotel & Spa, Houston
    Located on an 18-acre wooded sanctuary near Memorial Park, this 289-room hotel offers plenty of opportunities to sweat, stretch and self-indulge. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling views of the lush grounds, premium bedding and all the latest high-tech gadgets. Guests have access to one of the nation’s top 10 fitness centers — which boasts a 20-foot rock climbing wall, full-size basketball court, eight outdoor tennis courts, three swimming pools, and squash and racquetball courts — and a posh spa with indoor float pool and more than 100 decadent treatments from which to choose. In addition to the gigantic wood-burning fireplace in the lobby, which gives The Houstonian an exclusive hunting-lodge feel, we love the Manor House, an elegant old home-turned-restaurant for hotel guests and health club members only.

     

     Inn at Dos Brisas, Washington
    About an hour outside of Houston sits this tiny — only nine Spanish-style haciendas and casitas — Relais & Chateaux property, where 1,200-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, stone fireplaces, private patios and plunge pools, and tranquil views of the surrounding meadows and ponds await. Plus guests have access to one of the largest equestrian facilities in Texas. But it’s the restaurant here that is truly special: It’s the only Forbes Travel Guide five-star restaurant in Texas, and it has also been recognized as one of the 10 best farm-to-table restaurants in the world. The culinary team plucks ingredients from the 24-acre USDA-certified organic farm and high-tech 7,000-square-foot greenhouse — think herbs and heirloom varietals of figs, persimmons, peaches and tomatoes — to create dishes that blend French techniques and Texas flavors.

     

     Mokara Hotel & Spa, San Antonio
    You could stay here without visiting the spa, but that would just be silly, wouldn’t it? This property, with a prime location on the River Walk, sells serenity from the onset. The 17,000-square-foot spa is the ultimate sanctuary within the city, with 18 treatment rooms and a staff dedicated to your every need. Guest rooms are not an afterthought, however, as they boast high ceilings, wood and marble finishes, fine linens, and Jacuzzi tubs. Ostra provides romantic riverfront dining, so fine food — in this case, sustainable seafood and raw bar — is never very far away. The heated rooftop pool affords the best views in the city.

     

     The Joule, Dallas
    With all of the recent additions to the Adam Tihany-designed Joule complex in downtown Dallas — ESPA, Vital fitness studio, TenOverSix and Traffic LA, Weekend coffee shop, and CBD Provisions — one could argue there is no reason to leave the property at all, despite its proximity to the original Neiman Marcus and burgeoning Dallas Arts District. Sultry guestrooms also got a facelift during the transformation; if you have the means to splurge, do it on the two-bed, two-bath Joule penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Dallas. Weather permitting, take a dip in the spectacular pool that cantilevers eight feet beyond the hotel’s structure.

     

     Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
    When it comes to luxury, the little things matter, and the Ritz knows it. So guests are treated to complimentary mini-margaritas and freshly made guacamole every evening. But of course the big things matter too: comfortably elegant rooms and suites with views of Uptown and downtown, a fabulous full-service spa, and chef Dean Fearing’s award-winning cuisine at the restaurant that bears his name. Other amenities include 24-hour room service, a chauffeured Bentley (available on a first-come, first-served basis), and excellent people watching at Rattlesnake Bar.

     

     Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
    Whereas the Ritz sits in the middle of the action, the Mansion feels like a residential hideaway — not surprisingly, because it used to be the private residence of a wealthy cotton baron and his wife. Although hand-carved fireplaces and stained-glass windows evoke eras past, most features are totally of-the-moment, including the Tex-French cuisine of James Beard Award nominee Bruno Davaillon and the impeccable yet non-intrusive service for which Rosewood is known. Book a terrace suite on the top floor of the hotel, which has a luxurious terrace almost as big as the room itself. Need a nightcap? Curl up in the dark confines of the Mansion Bar, where you can rub shoulders with the locals or simply sit back and take in the scene.

    One of Hotel ZaZa's bungalows in Dallas.

    Hotel Zaza, Suites, Bungalows, Dallas
      
    Photo courtesy of Hotel ZaZa
    One of Hotel ZaZa's bungalows in Dallas.
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    Awards News

    Dallas hotels win big in 2025 World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 9, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa​
    Photo courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa is the No. 2 best resort in Texas.

    Several renowned Dallas-Fort Worth hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and Grapevine's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center were honored among the top five best resorts in Texas, and six more distinguished Dallas-Fort Worth properties made the cut among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas and in the U.S.

    Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

    Omni PGA Frisco ranked as the No. 2 best resort in Texas, just one spot lower than its 2024 ranking. The resort is a relative newcomer in Dallas' rapidly expanding list of travel lodgings, as it's only been open for a little more than two years. The report said this golf-focused retreat is an impressive place to stay for visitors that have a "packed itinerary," regardless if that includes spending time on the green or not.

    "This resort has it all — golf, spa, dining options of all types and an amazing activity schedule," a T+L reader said.

    The Gaylord Texan Resort is a popular favorite among Dallas-area travelers, and it ranked as the 5th best Texas resort for 2025. In 2018, the resort debuted its $120 million Vineyard Tower, which added 303 deluxe guest rooms and 86,000 square feet of meeting space.

     Pool at Gaylord Texan resort The family-friendly pool at the Gaylord Texan has a lazy river and more than enough chaise lounges.  Photo courtesy of Gaylord Texan  

    The publication celebrated the five winners – the remaining three located in Texas' other major metros – for their lavish atmospheres that makes guests feel like they've escaped the hustle and bustle of their respective cities.

    "Our top five resorts in Texas are all scenic sanctuaries in or nearby the state’s biggest cities, offering an abundance of activities for visitors looking for relaxation and recreation," the report said.

    The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

    • The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
    • Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
    • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
    • Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
    • Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

    Best hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth
    The region's most opulent hotel, Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, was crowned the best hotel in the Metroplex for the second year in a row. It also earned the No. 1 title in 2022. The hotel has only been open for four years, but it has remained a clear reader favorite, as it previously booked a top-five spot in Travel + Leisure's best Dallas-Fort Worth hotel list in 2023.

    Hotel Drover succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its dining attractions add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities. The report goes on further to say that "no hotel attracted Dallas fans more" than this Western-themed getaway.

     Hotel Drover lobby library The lobby of the Hotel Drover contains a library and a Lucchese boot boutique.Photo courtesy of Hotel Drover

    "Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, located in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards, pulls in plenty of charm in its design, including across its rooms that resemble luxury ranch lodging with exposed beams, dark wood headboards, and colorful textile touches," the report said. "There's also a Lucchese boot boutique in the lobby, so every guest can snag a pair to bring home as the ultimate Texas souvenir."

    A reader said they would recommend this Fort Worth hotel over any other place in Texas, and declared it "the definition of Texas" thanks to its attentive staff, thoughtful Western decor, and its classic Southern food.

    In a press release, general manager Aaron Ide said the entire Hotel Drover team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

    "This recognition is a reflection of our passionate team and the authentic Western experiences we strive to create," Ide said. "It’s especially meaningful to receive this honor during the 30th anniversary of the World’s Best Awards, and we are proud to represent the vibrant spirit of Fort Worth."

    Dallas' iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek ranked as DFW's second-best hotel for the second consecutive year, and it was the No. 1-winner in 2023. This legendary hotel has continued prospering and growing its reputation since it was acquired by a Dallas investor firm in 2022, and has since earned a prestigious One Key status in Michelin's inaugural Texas guide in 2024.

    Though Rosewood Mansion didn't nab the top spot on T+L's list, it did claim the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 rankings of the best resorts in Texas.

     Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek terrace Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek terrace  Photo courtesy of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek  

    The full list of Dallas-Fort Worth winning hotels, in order, are:

    • Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, Fort Worth
    • Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
    • The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
    • The Adolphus, Dallas
    • Omni Dallas Hotel

    Best hotels in the U.S.
    Fort Worth's esteemed Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection was one of three Texas properties to earn acclaim on T+L's separate list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S." Bowie House ranked as the 14th best hotel nationwide, and a T+L reader said it "set the standard for luxury hotels in Fort Worth."

    "Another Southern favorite, Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection (No. 14) was applauded for its culinary offerings, expertly curated art and decor, and 'professional' and 'friendly staff,'" the report said.

     Bowie House bar Bowie House boasts all of the Southern charm one would expect to find in a Texas hotel.Photo courtesy of Bowie House

    The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston and Hotel Emma in San Antonio were the only other two Texas hotels to earn spots on the list of the best hotels in the country.

    Other Texas awards
    San Antonio was deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

    In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

    "From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

    The best hotels in Houston, in order are:

    • The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    • Hotel ZaZa
    • Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    • JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    • Hilton Americas-Houston
    The best hotels in Austin, in order, are:
    • Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
    • Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
    • Four Seasons Hotel Austin
    • Fairmont Austin
    • Archer Hotel Austin
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