Enjoy a Houston Weekend at Four Refurbished Hotels

The country's fourth largest city is known for its swashbuckling soul and diverse historical touch points such as the Astrodome (the country's first domed stadium), a vibrant, busy inland port, pioneering medical center and sprawling museum district. Not to mention bragging rights to the first word spoken on the moon. Houston is a place that both embraces its feisty history and keeps on reinventing itself.

If you are contemplating a weekend (or longer) visit to Houston, you'll have plenty of ways to keep busy, whether it's exploring historic (and evolving) Buffalo Bayou Park, reserving a spot at the world famous annual Livestock Show and Rodeo or checking out the latest shopping or culinary feats. Here are four hotels with recent renovations–two historic and two modern–that provide a home base to Houston's thriving metropolitan adventures.

The Modern Wildcatter: Hotel Derek, A Destination Hotel

Penthouse Suite

This 13-year-old boutique hotel has undergone fresh restyling of its 312 guest rooms and suites, all sporting the playful vibe of the city's oil-rich heritage. New to the lineup are two redesigned penthouse suites on the top floor of the hotel. They were conceptualized by Texas-based design firm Flick Mars in collaboration with the hip furniture retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Expect a color palette of gray, blue and pops of yellow and plum. A whimsical touch is magnetic boards upon which guests can play Scrabble or create their own lyrics. The hotel's public spaces reflect the rusticity of the oilfield along with the elegance its successes can bring. Revolve Bar and Kitchen offers eclectic furnishings with a modern Southern menu, just perfect for late afternoon pick-me-ups after a shopping expedition at the nearby Gallery or closing a business deal.

Penthouse suites starting at $1,600 per night. 2525 West Loop South, www.hotelderek.com, 713.961.3000

They Mean Business: Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston



The Royal Sonesta, fresh from a nearly $30 million renovation in 2014, is a one-stop shop for business travelers, shopping warriors and anyone who seeks luxurious escape in elegant surroundings. Spacious rooms exude a cosmopolitan vibe, with contemporary furnishings at all levels, club level access on selected floors and a wide-ranging selection of suites, including a 2,100-square-foot presidential suite. The international staff touts membership in Les Clefs d'Or USA, the prestigious organization of hotel lobby concierges. Expansive public spaces can handle event crowds, while intimate dining and beverage spaces, such as the Axis lounge with its “Liquid Art” cocktail program and lively happy hour, make a large spot feel friendly. And if you're bringing the family along or extending your stay, you can't beat weekend values.

Suites starting at $400 per night. 2222 West Loop South, www.royalsonesta.com, 800.766.3872

Theater District's Mighty Roar: Lancaster Hotel

Lobby

The 93-room Lancaster Hotel includes the distinction of being the city's only member of Historic Hotels of America and being owned and operated by descendants of the original founding family. Indeed, current president Charles (Charlie) M. Lusk III recalls visiting the hotel as a child. He is one of the great-grandchildren of Sicilian immigrant Michele DeGeorge, who opened the hotel at the corner of Texas Avenue and Louisiana Street in 1926 as the Auditorium Hotel at the height of the Jazz Age. With its location across the street from the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts and the Alley Theatre, and near the Wortham Theater Center and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the hotel was renamed in 1982 and christened as a luxury boutique hotel. A $10 million renovation, completed in fall 2013, added significant refurbishments including a reconfigured lobby to let in more light, interior design that echoes classic American styling and uses men's suiting fabrics as inspiration, as well as bedding and bath fixtures by Waterworks. Suites are elegant and spacious, with marble finishes in the bathrooms, gold-plated hardware and antiques. The hotel's restaurant, The Bistro, takes advantage of its prime downtown location with pre-theater specials, business-friendly breakfasts and lunches and a daily wine hour for recharging before the evening's outings.

Suites from $299 per night. 701 Texas Ave., thelancaster.com, 713.228.9500

Follow the Money: Hotel Icon

Penthouse bedroom

A grand, century-old neoclassical bank building has seamlessly transformed itself into Hotel Icon, a luxury enclave in the heart of downtown, amid other historic finance buildings and modern attractions such as Discovery Green, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center and Market Square. The 12-story hotel with 135 rooms, including 18 suites, opened in 2004 following a $35 million renovation of the 1912 Union National Bank Building, and in 2011, was acquired by the Autograph Collection of Marriott International. Evidence of the building's history remain throughout, including entry clocks, a grand lobby lined with Doric columns and the old vault. Décor features color ways of red, orange, yellow and gold, in modern combinations with a nod to classic patterns. Unwind at an intimate on-site day spa, Balance, and relax in the see-and-be-seen lobby while catching a cocktail or a modern Texas repast at Line & Lariat Restaurant.

Suites starting at $400 per night, 220 Main St., www.autographhotels.com, 713.224.4266

Rates listed are as of March 2015 and may change without notice.