Pros

  • Downtown Houston location -- walk to restaurants, bars, and nightlife
  • Elegant rooms with large flat-screen TVs feel like an upscale home
  • Free gourmet continental breakfast buffet
  • Free shuttle service within 3-mile radius
  • Guests 18 and younger stay free with an adult
  • Meeting room with audiovisual equipment
  • On-site valet parking (for a fee)
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • No pool or spa on-site
  • Some rooms can be narrow
  • Parking is not free
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Bottom Line

The 93-room Lancaster is an upscale historic property with an ideal downtown Houston location that's within easy walking distance of restaurants and nightlife, as well as businesses and entertainment venues. Rooms are elegant and have all of the comforts of home plus large flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms. The free gourmet continental breakfast is a fine start to the day and there is an on-site restaurant that serves all meals. However, guests looking for a pool should consider Magnolia Hotel Houston, a nearby historic property.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

The Lancaster Hotel

Scene

Elegant historic hotel with contemporary accents

Houston's oldest continually operating hotel, the 93-room Lancaster traces its beginnings to 1926 when it opened as the 200-room Auditorium Hotel. It was renamed the Lancaster in 1983 when it became Houston's first boutique hotel. It is listed as a Texas Historical Landmark, and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. State and U.S. flags distinguish the front of the 12-story building, and doormen stand ready to greet guests and assist with luggage. The two-story lobby is elegant and classy, in keeping with the historic nature of the hotel. A graceful staircase leads to the mezzanine. Check-in is a seated affair, and guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne. Multiple seating areas with brown leather and velvet sofas and armchairs encourage guests to linger for business or social gatherings. The rich, elegant furnishings exude historic character and class, yet the setting is warm and inviting, rather than stuffy. Guests here are mostly couples and business travelers.

See More Scene

Location

In downtown Houston's theater and business district

The Lancaster is conveniently situated in the heart of Houston's theater and business district surrounded by ballet and opera venues, theaters, and numerous restaurants and nightlife. Sites reachable by foot in less than five minutes include the Wortham Theater, Revention Music Center, Market Square Park, and the Houston Ballet. The Hobby Center for Performing Arts and the Downtown Aquarium are each a seven-minute walk, and guests can reach Minute Maid Park for seeing the Houston Astros in just over 10 minutes on foot. For guests who prefer not to walk, the hotel provides shuttle service to sites within a 3-mile radius. The popular Johnson Space Center is 30 to 40 minutes away by car, and William B. Hobby Southwest International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport are both about 40 minutes away.

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Rooms

Chic and home-like with large flat-screen TVs

Rooms are chic and luxurious, with trendy neutral color schemes in gray and tan hues, rich furnishings, and textured duvets. Each room has plenty of modern features to offset the hotel's historic quality, including a mini-fridge, 55-inch flat-screen TV, alarm clock radio with docking station, charging stations, and Nespresso machines. Guests rave about the comfort of the beds. Sophisticated bathrooms feature white Carrera marble floors and countertops, high-end brass Marbleworks fixtures, plush robes, and Bulgari toiletries. Suites offer separate seating and dining areas and are styled like upscale homes. Soundproofing is excellent so rooms are quiet even though the hotel is situated in a busy downtown location. 

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Features

Free buffet breakfast, good on-site dining, and free area shuttle

A free buffet breakfast includes the usual continental items, plus gourmet fare such as smoked salmon, meats, cheeses, and Italian coffee. Cultivated F+B serves contemporary American cuisine for all meals in a casual, cozy setting, and it's famous for its crab cakes. A free shuttle takes guests to sites within a 3-mile radius. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and private car services or airport transfers can be arranged. Shuttles to the cruise terminal and shopping centers are also available for a fee. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About The Lancaster Hotel

Also Known As

  • Lancaster Hotel
  • The Lancaster

Address

701 Texas St, Houston, Texas 77002-2712, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

The Lancaster Hotel

Scene

Elegant historic hotel with contemporary accents

Houston's oldest continually operating hotel, the 93-room Lancaster traces its beginnings to 1926 when it opened as the 200-room Auditorium Hotel. It was renamed the Lancaster in 1983 when it became Houston's first boutique hotel. It is listed as a Texas Historical Landmark, and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. State and U.S. flags distinguish the front of the 12-story building, and doormen stand ready to greet guests and assist with luggage. The two-story lobby is elegant and classy, in keeping with the historic nature of the hotel. A graceful staircase leads to the mezzanine. Check-in is a seated affair, and guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne. Multiple seating areas with brown leather and velvet sofas and armchairs encourage guests to linger for business or social gatherings. The rich, elegant furnishings exude historic character and class, yet the setting is warm and inviting, rather than stuffy. Guests here are mostly couples and business travelers.

See More Scene

Location

In downtown Houston's theater and business district

The Lancaster is conveniently situated in the heart of Houston's theater and business district surrounded by ballet and opera venues, theaters, and numerous restaurants and nightlife. Sites reachable by foot in less than five minutes include the Wortham Theater, Revention Music Center, Market Square Park, and the Houston Ballet. The Hobby Center for Performing Arts and the Downtown Aquarium are each a seven-minute walk, and guests can reach Minute Maid Park for seeing the Houston Astros in just over 10 minutes on foot. For guests who prefer not to walk, the hotel provides shuttle service to sites within a 3-mile radius. The popular Johnson Space Center is 30 to 40 minutes away by car, and William B. Hobby Southwest International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport are both about 40 minutes away.

See More Location

Rooms

Chic and home-like with large flat-screen TVs

Rooms are chic and luxurious, with trendy neutral color schemes in gray and tan hues, rich furnishings, and textured duvets. Each room has plenty of modern features to offset the hotel's historic quality, including a mini-fridge, 55-inch flat-screen TV, alarm clock radio with docking station, charging stations, and Nespresso machines. Guests rave about the comfort of the beds. Sophisticated bathrooms feature white Carrera marble floors and countertops, high-end brass Marbleworks fixtures, plush robes, and Bulgari toiletries. Suites offer separate seating and dining areas and are styled like upscale homes. Soundproofing is excellent so rooms are quiet even though the hotel is situated in a busy downtown location. 

See More Rooms

Features

Free buffet breakfast, good on-site dining, and free area shuttle

A free buffet breakfast includes the usual continental items, plus gourmet fare such as smoked salmon, meats, cheeses, and Italian coffee. Cultivated F+B serves contemporary American cuisine for all meals in a casual, cozy setting, and it's famous for its crab cakes. A free shuttle takes guests to sites within a 3-mile radius. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and private car services or airport transfers can be arranged. Shuttles to the cruise terminal and shopping centers are also available for a fee. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.