Luxury in Houston

With James Beard award-winning restaurants, world-class arts and culture, and high-end shopping, it’s no surprise that travelers often come to Houston ready to live largely. The next time you opt to break away from the budget, H-Town has you covered.

While you're in Houston, don't miss out on our exclusive and unique experiences.

Houston Polo Club

Sleep

Eat

Tony's

Rub elbows with the social set at Tony’s, where the see and be seen crowd gathers for power lunches, anniversaries and after-party revelry. At Tony Vallone’s Greenway-area namesake, regulars find scratch-made Italian that wows in everything from squash-filled pasta and pappardelle Bolognese to the truffled mac and cheese and salt-crusted snapper. Don’t think about leaving before having the chocolate soufflé.

For more than a decade the 18-acre Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa served as the formal residence of President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara. There, the pair called the property’s historic John Staub-designed Manor House home, before it became the hotel’s private restaurant. The once members-only venue and space that once hosted a treaty signing during the G-7 Economic Summit, is now open for private parties, celebrations, and events only. 

Houstonian Trellis Spa

Years after its Houston debut, Uchi remains one of the most sought-after restaurants in the city. Chef Tyson Cole brought the Austin concept to H-Town in 2012, sharing his boundary-pushing Japanese cuisine and cutting-edge techniques with an eager audience. If you plan to dive into machi cure (Japanese ceviche) and walu walu, make a reservation early.

For an upscale French-inspired menu in a darling, cool space, foodies should indulge in Bludorn. Fancy meets foodie on the seasonal menu offered here where diners are offered luxurious specials, an incredible wine list and to-die-for specialty cocktails. It will be tricky, but diners should also leave room for dessert, because the ever-changing menu in that category is the perfect ending to a lovely meal. 

Shop

Kuhl-Linscomb

When it comes to Houston’s shopping mecca, it’s hard to beat The Galleria, where 400 designer stores and restaurants live alongside two high-rise hotels and three office towers. Anchor stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom draw a faithful following, along with high-end favorites such as Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. Don’t miss the new Jewel Box—a 14,000-square-foot building on the property’s west end that’s home to The Webster.

If you have time to spare, you would be smart to carve out a few hours to wander Kuhl-Linscomb, the largest privately-owned design and lifestyle shop in the city. The curated department store unfolds in an 80,000 square foot expanse along West Alabama. Five separate buildings contain a masterful mix of home, beauty, jewelry gifts, and stationery goods. Be sure to grab a store map early on to help navigate each of the showrooms.

Just inside of The Loop, the 14-acre River Oaks District brings together luxury retailers, restaurants, and entertainment, making the expanse Houston’s answer to Rodeo Drive. Luxury designers including Chopard, Dior, Cavalli, and Tom Ford are just a handful that calls the sleek shopping center home. After perusing, stop in for a movie at iPic Theaters where plush leather seats, pillows, and blankets make the cinema a standout, coupled with push-button food and drink delivery.

Looking for the perfect party dress, clutch or designer shoes? Head to Tootsies. The West Ave store is a mainstay among Houston’s most fashionable, stocking head-turning gowns by Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni and Hervé Léger and accessories by Alexander McQueen, Mansur Gavriel and Chloe. For a VIP experience, reserve the store’s private party room, which has space for your 30 nearest and dearest to revel in dreamy designer fashion.

Modeled after a European-style shopping center, Uptown Park serves up a mix of restaurants and boutiques, many of which are locally-owned, all in a pedestrian-friendly outdoor space. Find luxury fashion for men at M Penner and Lucho, designer play clothes at Mint Baby & Kids and high-end linens at Longoria Collection. Grab a bite at Étoile between lingerie shopping at Top Drawer and exploring the contemporary looks at Carrie Ann Boutique.

Do

Houston Polo Club

Hidden away on 26 beautifully-wooded acres in the heart of Houston, the Houston Polo Club has showcased the best in the sport of polo for the better part of a century. More than 60 club players compete in weekly tournaments at the course, including top-tier international players. Between the third and fourth chukkers, join Houston’s who’s who (with Champagne in hand) for the traditional divot stomp.

Sure, you can explore the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals at the Houston Museum of Natural Science by day, but partying there, after hours, is more our speed. Host a seated dinner in the space, among 750 of the world’s finest gem and minerals, from a crystalized gold cluster to an emerald crystal weighing nearly 2,000 carats. The exhibit also serves as the gateway to the exclusive Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, which offers breathtaking jewelry designs by the talented Ernesto Moreira.

Want an inside look at the real world of NASA? Go behind the scenes in an exclusive NASA VIP tour. Only 10 guests are allowed on the daily tour, which includes a three-hour exploration showcasing the areas astronauts train, along with historic and ISS Mission Control. The tour is offered Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made in advance.

If you want to cheer on the Houston Rockets like a celeb, snag courtside seats to a game at the Toyota Center. Not only will you get an up-close view of Harden tearing it up on the court, but you will also enjoy access to the Lexus Lounge. Tucked beneath the west lower bowl, the VIP space features a private bar, plush furniture and pool tables and has hosted the likes of Oprah, Beyoncé and Shaq.

Forget those run-of-the-mill pedicures, because you, darling, deserve the best. Snag a seat at Hotel Zaza’s ZaSpa and unwind with a Heavy Metal pedicure. The hour-long service kicks off with a glass of bubbly while tired feet and legs are pampered with two hydrating masks, paraffin treatment and a hot stone massage, before being topped off with a dusting of gold shimmer. As a bonus, ZaSpa goers are also granted a day pass to the hotel’s exclusive pool.