The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The four-floor Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa is an expansive luxury resort located north of Uptown on a serene 18 acres of woodlands. Under an ivy-covered driveway on a bench there is a Seward Johnson statue, a popular photo op for guests. Luxe hunting lodge decor infuses Texas style into the warm and welcoming lobby. The lobby lounge, known as the Great Room, features grand designs, rich tapestries, wooden-paneled walls, towering ceilings, and a tall stone fireplace. First opening its doors in 1980, the hotel soon gained recognition as the long-term residence of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. Today, most guests are luxury travelers seeking a leisure vacation. Grounds are well-maintained and made up of lawns with a gazebo, and brick-lined pathways that weave past woodlands. The Meadow is a popular venue for wedding ceremonies.

Secluded on an 18-acre forested property, the hotel borders Memorial Park. There’s not much in walking distance, other than office buildings. With a car, the location offers convenient access to I-610 and I-10 Freeways. Uptown Park mall -- with 50 restaurants, shops, and bars -- is two miles away. Galleria Mall -- a 15-minute drive or free shuttle ride -- offers 400 shops, restaurants, and an ice rink. The Museum of Fine Arts and Contemporary Arts Museum are a 15-minute car trip. It’s also 15 minutes to the Houston Symphony, Alley Theatre, and Downtown Aquarium-Houston. The George R. Brown Convention Center is 20 minutes away. Baseball, basketball, and football games at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Toyota Center, and NRG Stadium are 15 to 20 minutes by car. Driving to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport takes 30 minutes. Austin is a two-and-a-half-hour drive, and San Antonio is three hours away.

Wood-trimmed headboards, rich draperies, classic writing desks, and floor-to-ceiling forested views give most rooms a luxurious feel. Furnishings in each Deluxe Room varies, with some offering sitting areas. Suites have finer designs, living rooms, and dining areas. One-bedroom Executive Suites feature hardwood floors, French doors, and vanities. The one-bedroom Capitol Suite has wood-paneled walls, antique-inspired touches, hardwood floors, two bathrooms, a fireplace, a wet bar, and office area. The one-bedroom Presidential Suite has hardwood floors, a kitchenette, fireplace, two bathrooms, and a whirlpool tub. All rooms have turndown service, flat-screen TVs, umbrellas, iHome radios, fluffy bathrobes, hairdryers, minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, safes, and irons/ironing boards. Electronic Do Not Disturb lights are a modern, convenient touch. Stone-tiled bathrooms have high-end toiletries and shower/tub combos; most suites have bathtubs and separate showers. Concierge Level rooms offer access to the Concierge Lounge with continental breakfast and coffee/tea, evening cocktails, two PC computers, and a printer/fax machine. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

The property’s star attraction is the Houstonian Club, a state-of-the-art facility that rivals any commercial health club, offering 250 modern machines, nine indoor/outdoor tennis courts, two racquetball courts, indoor/outdoor tracks, an indoor basketball court, rock-climbing walls for a fee, and studios for cycling, yoga, boxing, and Pilates. Locker rooms have steam rooms and saunas. There’s also a Kids' Gym for children, and a cafe that serves healthy fare. Mediterranean cuisine is available at The Olivette, an elegantly designed restaurant. The Manor House offers a fine dining experience, and the stylish Arbor Grill is located poolside with outdoor seating and a fire pit. The Bar, with frequent live performances, is a sophisticated and cozy setting for a drink.

Three pools are on-site, including a sports pool that’s great for laps. The resort pool features a water slide, a toddler pool, and waterfalls that appeal to families. For a peaceful setting, there’s the quieter garden pool. More relaxation can be had at the 21-room Trellis spa, which has a hot tub, steam room, indoor pool, and a hair salon. With 26 meeting spaces, including four ballrooms, the hotel is also appealing to business travelers. The staffed business center offers two PC computers, a copy machine, a small boardroom, printers, and two computers. Wi-Fi is free throughout.