A neat honor

One Texas destination sparkles in ranking of U.S. cities with cleanest hotels

C. Baldwin Hotel Allen Center downtown Houston guestroom

Houston hotels pass the white-glove test.

Photo courtesy of C. Baldwin Hotel

One Texas city's hotels outshine all others when it comes to cleanliness, according to a new ranking from AAA.

In AAA’s ranking of the U.S. cities with the most hotels that pass the white-glove test, Houston lands at No. 2. In Houston, 90 hotels meet the rigid standards for the travel organization’s Inspector’s Best Of Housekeeping designation. Only New York City ranks higher, with 161 hotels making a clean sweep.

With more than 80,000 guestrooms, Houston is one of the 10 largest hotel markets in the U.S.

The AAA award recognizes “inspected and approved” hotels that surpass expectations during on-site reviews that check for dirt, dust, pests, and other signs of poorly kept properties. Only Diamond-rated properties can qualify for the award.

“AAA has found that cleanliness and physical condition are consistently among the most important components travelers consider when looking for a hotel. This new designation identifies hotels with exceptional practices,” Michael Petrone, AAA’s director of inspections and Diamond ratings, says in a release.

Houston isn’t the only Texas city to show up in this year’s AAA ranking. Austin ranks sixth, with 63 spotless hotels, and San Antonio ranks 10th (49 hotels). Curiously, neither Dallas nor Fort Worth made the list.

AAA points out that some of the U.S. cities with the most hotel rooms failed to make the list. They include Las Vegas (the U.S. city with the most guestrooms), Chicago, and Orlando, Florida.

Hotels must demonstrate housekeeping excellence for two consecutive inspections and be free of complaints from AAA members to meet criteria for this award, putting them in the top 25 percent among AAA’s 27,000 “inspected and approved” hotels.

“In addition to passing AAA’s rigorous on-site inspection, the properties that have received the Inspector’s Best Of Housekeeping award have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to keeping their property in top condition — whether that be a small inn or bed and breakfast, a sprawling resort, or a skyscraping city hotel — at all times for our members and their guests,” Petrone says.

In a 2015 survey commissioned by the CLR brand of household cleaning products, 86 percent of consumers reported cleanliness was one of the top criteria when they’re combing through online reviews of hotels and vacation rentals. In fact, the survey found, 80 percent of travelers would rather give up internet access during a stay than put up with a dirty hotel or vacation rental (particularly a messy bathroom).

“The feeling of a perfectly clean hotel or vacation rental can provide a sense of calm and contentment; however, a dirty room can ruin a vacation experience by making it impossible to let go and relax,” Alison Gutterman, president and CEO of Jelmar LLC, whose products include the CLR brand, says in a release.

“Even when travelers are excused from cleaning duties on vacation and have permission to escape the rigors of daily chores,” Gutterman adds, “the cleanliness of our environment is clearly top of mind and of the utmost importance to travelers no matter where they’re staying, be it a vacation rental or hotel.”

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Aerie in the sky

Nature-inspired hotel checks into Texas' tallest tower in Austin

Photo by Chase Daniel

Rooms at 1 Hotel Austin settle in simple and natural design.

A luxury hotel chain is checking into Austin, adding the Texas capital to a cohort of a dozen North American cities. Called 1 Hotel Austin, the 252-room stay is designed to blend with nature and tap into sustainable hospitality in the new Waterline building — the tallest tower in Texas. Reservations are open now for the hotel, opening in August.

A press release explains that 1 Hotel Austin looks at its surroundings where Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake meet "through a contemporary, biophilic lens." Designers used natural materials, textures, and transitions from inside to outside — like balconies and terraces with plants, or floor-to-ceiling windows — to create a feeling of connecting with the natural world.

Foodies may already know that a highly regarded restaurant from Denver is moving in as the hotel's signature restaurant. Called Alteño Austin, the concept by Chef Johnny Curiel shows off cuisine from the Highlands of Jalisco, where he has a family connection.

$Alte\u00f1o Austin$ Alteño currently only has one location — the original — in Denver, Colorado, and one more on the way in Charleston, South Carolina.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

“There’s a respect for tradition in the way [Chef Curiel] cooks, but also a willingness to reinterpret it, and that balance is what makes his food so compelling," said Nicholas Demasi, senior vice president of food and beverage at Starwood Hotels, in the release.

There will also be two other food and beverage concepts: Watr, a "Japanese-leaning" rooftop restaurant and lounge designed to entertain guests from day to night, and Neighbors, a café and wine bar that can be accessed from the lobby and the street for coffee, juice, small plates, draft cocktails, and more, depending on the time of day.

1 Hotel Austin rooftoop Watr This rooftop restaurant will serve a Japanese-inspired menu.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

Focusing more on the amenities than the rooms, which include 60 luxury suites, the release draws attention to the building's proximity to the Rainey Street District and downtown, making both day and night activities easily accessible. Guests also have a direct connection to the more outdoorsy portion of town via the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around the lake.

Wellness amenities include a run club, sound baths, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center, and a yoga studio. Bamford Wellness Spa will operate a space offering retail and treatments, including couples' experiences. The spa claims inspiration through Hill Country bathhouses, placing a premium on simplicity and restoration.

1 Hotel Austin guest bath This guest bath is spa-like with a dramatic view.Photo by Chase Daniel

The hotel is working on its LEED Gold certification, which would verify that the property has earned certain credits in materials, energy, waste management, and more. Gold is the second highest certification. Sustainability initiatives at the hotel will include adopting waste reduction practices for hosted events, supplying reusable in-room glassware, and introducing travelers to the 1 Less Thing program, which encourages them to leave behind a piece of gently used clothing to donate to a local organization.

“I’ve long admired Austin for its creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Barry Sternlicht, founder of 1 Hotels and chairman of Starwood Hotels. “It’s a place where innovation thrives alongside a deep respect for the environment and community. Even as the city continues to grow and evolve, it has managed to balance progress with preservation."

1 Hotels Austin entrance The dramatic entrance exemplifies the transitional design from inside the building to nature outside.Rending courtesy of 1 Hotels

1 Hotel Austin is located at 96 Red River St., Austin. Reservations are open now at 1hotels.com. Available August room rates are currently discounted and start at $377.

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