Houston, we (don’t) have a problem!

As the biggest city in Texas, Houston offers a lot of options when it comes to dining and accommodations. From intimate boutique establishments to luxurious resorts, Houston has something for everyone. If you’re time-starved, here are some suggestions for 24 hours in H-town.

Simply The Best

As Tina Turner would say, it’s simply the best! Situated on 10 oak-studded acres just west of downtown, The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is a premier five-star hotel. The 38-story tower boasts luxurious amenities, including lavish accommodations, gasp-inducing design, high-end fashion and world-renowned restaurants. There’s a “wow” around every corner!

Created by Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, The Post Oak is a one-of-a-kind gem that offers a level of luxury that can’t be found elsewhere in Houston. Tilman (as he prefers to be called) owns and operates over 600 properties, is featured on “Billion Dollar Buyer” on CNBC, and executed his plan to develop an “experience so uniquely refined, there can be only one.” 

Besides just being a hotel, The Post Oak features a two-level Rolls-Royce/ Bentley dealership, a dazzling lobby with artwork by iconic American artist Frank Stella, and glittering chandeliers throughout.

The Post Oak Hotel, which features 250 luxurious guest rooms, really takes it up a notch with little touches in every room. I imagine designers coming to Tilman saying, “I have this idea, but it’s going to cost you an additional $xxxxxx,” and him responding with, “It’s got to be amazing. Let’s do it.”

As you walk in the door to the opulent guest room and look to your left, there’s a sparkling chandelier in the center of the bathroom, high end bath amenities, a crystal ring holder on the vanity, patterned glasses, artwork in the toilet area, and a flat screen TV at the foot of the soaking tub airing a video of Tilman on a rotating loop talking about his latest book. In the shower you’ll fine a wall mirror and a monogrammed silver plate (Post Oak Hotel Uptown Houston) on the floor of the shower. And that’s just the bathroom! 

The lucky guest will find seven pillows on the bed, a double-sided flat screen TV which, at the touch of a button, lifts out of the hardwood cabinet in the center of the room, high-end coffee table books, a specific cabinet for shoes and electric curtains on the windows. Plus… under the desk, there’s a rack of weights for the business traveler who wants to get in a fitness session before heading off to meetings. 

The Post Oak also offers four restaurants on the property serving up a wide array of dining options. Bloom & Bee, the hotel’s main restaurant, features fresh locally-inspired cuisine in a high-end setting. For a more casual dining experience, Craft F&B on the first floor offers a variety of pub-style fare (yum, gourmet burgers) and craft beer and cocktails.

Other amenities on the property include a designer retail boutique, luxurious spa, chic salon, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The boutique, 29º North, carries many luxury brands where guests and fashionistas can find exclusive designers.

The centerpiece of the property is The Post Oak Hotel’s pool located on a luxurious terrace right behind the front desk check-in area. It’s the perfect place to catch some rays and get some much-needed relaxation while doing some serious people watching. 

Mexican to French Food, and Everything In Between

A visit to any city in Texas isn’t complete without a meal at a Mexican restaurant. Blanco Tacos + Tequila is the go-to place in Houston’s Galleria area for delicious Tex-Mex fare paired with impressive drinks, such as hand-crafted margaritas. 

Blanco’s menu is huge, and you really can’t go wrong with any of their signature dishes. We recommend starting with the Hamachi and Watermelon Ceviche and the Grilled Mexican Street Corn to get the taste buds going. Our favorite main dish was the Crispy Fried Shrimp Tacos, which combine pickled onions with a tangy guacamole sauce for an exciting spin on shrimp tacos.

The beverage list at Blanco’s is equally impressive, with a wide array of crafted margaritas, cocktails, sangria and, of course, craft beer and wine. The Blackberry Clementine is an excellent choice, with white tequila and hibiscus sea salt. 

For one of the best brunches in Houston, we recommend making a visit to Café Poêtes. An elegant Parisian restaurant, Café Poêtes serves up traditional French cuisine crafted by husband and wife duo Marc Favre and Karine Favre-Massartic, who both hail from France.

During the week, Café Poêtes is the go-to place for coffees and light bites with friends. The cafė is also open for dinner Thursday to Saturday, offering a delicious assortment of crafted French dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in Houston.

The restaurant’s signature dish is the cocotte, which is a traditional French casserole dish meant for sharing with family and friends. Ingredients for the dish are sourced from the restaurant garden and local farmers, making for a uniquely fresh dining experience. The French dishes are upstaged only by the adorable furnishings that have such a whimsical feel.

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Cover photo courtesy Fertitta Entertainment

Marika Flatt is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine who loves finding a hotel that can still wow her. Her “Weekend Trip Tips” can be heard on the statewide NPR show Texas Standard every other Thursday.