One of Houston’s most eclectic neighborhoods has long been devoid of lodging options, but that’s changing as a series of upcoming projects bring new boutique hotels to the Montrose district. Soon, more guests will get the chance to stay in the middle of the evolving area that’s often a destination for both locals and visitors alike.
Three new hotels are under construction or planned for Montrose, adding nearly 300 rooms to the area historically recognized as the bohemian center of the city and mostly defined today by a diverse array of restaurants, nightlife and boutique retail. The additional properties follow the 2021 debut of the renovated La Colombe d’Or Hotel, which brought 32 suites to Montrose Boulevard in the property’s historic mansion and a new mixed-use tower.
In May, Austin-based hospitality group Bunkhouse broke ground on Hotel Saint Augustine, a 71-room property adjacent to The Menil Collection campus between Richmond and West Alabama. Slated for completion in late 2024, the hotel promises to include event space, a restaurant and a bar set in a low-slung development designed by San Antonio-based Lake Flato Architects. Bunkhouse is the group behind a number of chic Texas hotels, including Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel San Jose in Austin, as well as Hotel Havana in San Antonio.
Another project not far from the intersection of Montrose and Westheimer and in the middle of Houston’s LGBTQ nightlife scene is still in the planning stages. A group called Mighty Equites has plans for a 52-key hotel dubbed Hyde Park. The developers are seeking variances from the City of Houston to move forward with the half-acre, seven-story project that would front Hyde Park Boulevard where it intersects with Stanford. A website launched to garner support for the project promises a hotel “that complements the Montrose neighborhood and the surrounding community.”
To the north on Allen Parkway, Thompson Houston will include 172 rooms in a gleaming glass tower overlooking Buffalo Bayou. Thompson is recognized as one of the premier luxury brands within the Hyatt portfolio, and this iteration should be no exception with dynamic 360-degree views, a massive pool deck, full-service spa, and more. The hotel, expected to open in the coming months, is part of a broader mixed-use project called The Allen that includes luxury condos and retail space.
Houston’s hotel market continues to show signs of strengthening. Metro Houston hotel occupancy averaged 61.9% in the first five months of the year, up 9.7% compared with the same period in 2022. The average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), both key metrics for hotel performance, are up 9.5% and 20.1% respectively so far this year compared with 2022.
pictured: rendering of Hotel Saint Augustine. courtesy: Lake Flato Architects
