Hotel Saint Augustine: Houston’s Boutique Hotel for Food, Art & Design

by Michele Raphael on July 6, 2026 in Travels,
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Discover why Hotel Saint Augustine has become one of Houston’s top boutique hotels, offering acclaimed dining, thoughtful design, and a prime location near the Menil Collection and Museum District.

Over the last months, Houston has been recognized as one of the most delicious and diverse dining hubs in the U.S. by Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Travel + Leisure, Los Angeles Times and more. Whether your next trip to H-Town is to explore the food scene or its acclaimed and varied art offerings, by checking in at Hotel Saint Augustine you can do both within steps of your stay.   

The Big Picture

The artsy lobby of Hotel Saint Augustine. Photo Nicole Franzen.

The artsy-cool 71-room Hotel Saint Augustine is situated in the Montrose neighborhood along its leafy Museum Row, just across the street from the Menil Collection campus that also houses the Rothko Chapel. Opened about a year and half ago, it was the first Houston boutique hotel to debut from design-forward Austin-based Bunkhouse Hotels, making a welcome splash as the only hotel in Texas to receive a Michelin Key in 2025. More recently, Bunkhouse opened the celebrated Hotel Daphne in the Heights, and as the hospitality brand is now part of Hyatt’s lifestyle portfolio, guests can enjoy World of Hyatt benefits along with the unique advantages at both locations.

Whimsical Touches

Soothing water features soften and cool outdoor spaces. Photo Michele Raphael.

At Hotel Saint Augustine, those advantages can be felt in the quiet calm of the native plant landscaping and water features designed by Ten Eyck; minimalist, open-air architecture by Lake|Flato; and the flair of understated and simultaneously vibrant interiors by Post Company in collaboration with Bunkhouse Hotels. 

The circular pool is extra fun and a blue jewel at night. Photo Michele Raphael.

The heated circular pool, set in a courtyard, is a refreshing, fun centerpiece for guests to enjoy.

The Atelier King Suite provides a plush, spacious retreat, while the signature, striped robes add a sense of play for guests. Photo Julie Soefer.

Inside guestrooms and suites, whimsical combinations of muted fabric patterns and furniture – replicas of mid-century originals from the stylish Menil family estate – contrast with lush design touches, like royal blue lacquered wet bar cabinets; deep mustard-yellow, plush bedframes; and bathrooms with green-and-white marble countertops, Klur products, and colorful, striped robes.

Royal-blue lacquer wet bars pop color into guestrooms. Photo Michele Raphael.

What we loved: Our Atelier King suite and artistically landscaped patio overlooked the Menil Collection, perfectly located for an easy visit.

Overlooking the Menil Collection and leafy exteriors, the Atelier King Suite’s parlor features replicas of furniture from the Menil estate. Photo Michele Raphael.

The multicolored, striped custom cotton robes are a fashionable departure from typical hotel robes and welcome on our hot summer stay. We were tempted to take one home; guests can re-live the hotel experience by buying one themselves.

Creating Community

Augustine Lounge’s mid-century and vintage accents, natural light, spinning vinyl, and craft cocktail bar invite guests and locals to linger. Photo Julie Soefer.

The reception wows with massive red-lacquered retail display shelves and a chunky, white marble entry table, and the lobby’s Augustine Lounge has a chill, mixed mid-century meets vintage furniture and collectibles living room vibe, complete with a record player. The lounge is the heart of the hotel, inviting guests and locals to gather in the space, whether for coworking, weekday happy hour, or curated events, like the Drop the Needle vinyl listening lounge series that’s held there on Wednesday nights.

The Listening Room at Hotel Saint Augustine. Photo Julie Soefer

“We’re continuing to evolve our programming and partnerships to create experiences that feel both intentional and memorable,” General Manager Lauren Beito shared with Texas Lifestyle Magazine. “Our events are exciting and inventive. Like the listening lounge, did you know you can play records by asking the bartenders? Pretty cool!”

Foodie Favorites

The popular gourmet wagyu burger is a foodie favorite and can be enjoyed at the lounge, restaurant, or poolside, or ordered for room service. Photo Grant Pifer.

Another reason guests and Houstonians rave about the Augustine Lounge is its standout burger, created by executive chef Aaron Bludorn. “We’ve loved seeing the feedback from our burger, which we make with wagyu beef, served on a bun baked in house,” Bludorn told TLM. “You can get it in all parts of the property, your room, the restaurant, lounge, or even the pool.” Also popular: the wagyu hot dog and stellar craft cocktails, like Point of Origin, with tequila, lime, smoked sage, agave, and stardust, and Dominique, with gin, Earl Grey, and caramelized peach,

At Perseid, the boutique’s anchor restaurant, appointed with deep blue banquettes, dishes exploring the convergence of French and Gulf Coast cuisines, like Escargot en Vol au Vent, Crawfish Sausage, and Branzino, are favorites of guests and savvy local diners. “The flavors are bold and creole-inspired and the technique is French and precise,” Bludorn explained.

The Smoked Salmon Dip at Perseid. Photo Caroline Fontenot.

What we loved: For dinner, we indulged in the decadent yet light Siberian Caviar with Pommes Gaufrettes (lattice potato chips), followed by the inventive Smoked Salmon Dip with Everything Spice, savory Duck Cassoulet, and, finally, the heavenly Pot de Creme with toasted meringue.

Next time you’re Houston-bound, be sure to check out, and check in to, Hotel Saint Augustine.

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Cover Photo Julie Soefer

Michele Raphael is an award-winning journalist, published in Travel + Leisure, USA TODAY, National Geographic, and more, who loves exploring Houston’s fine arts, dining, and hotels.