Houston, we have a Thompson! On February 14th, marking the Thompson Hotels brand's fourth property in Texas, the highly anticipated luxury lifestyle hotel Thompson Houston opened its doors, welcoming guests to Houston's historic Fourth Ward in the heart of H-Town (1717 Allen Parkway). It is conveniently located near world-class shopping at the Galleria, the stately River Oaks neighborhood, downtown Houston, the Museum District, professional sports venues Minute Maid Park and Shell Energy Stadium, and it is just a 25-minute drive from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William Hobby Airport.
Get ready for a distinctive guest experience with an edge that celebrates the individuality of Space City with an urban vibe overlooking the verdant Buffalo Bayou Park. Set against the backdrop of rare unobstructed views of downtown Houston's skyline, the hotel captures the vibrancy of the city with an unapologetically stylish design signature to the brand, a stunning spa sanctuary, world-class dining, and elevated spaces perfect for weddings and events. Located on the seventh floor, the mid-century modern-styled lobby in the sky captures the spirit of Houston with an edgy spirit and sophisticated yet familiar contemporary design. For a truly unforgettable entrance, the new boutique hotel also boasts its own heliport.
Thompson Houston features 172 guestrooms, including 34 suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a residential feel designed to evoke the spirit of old Texas, with entirely custom-made furnishings and spacious bathrooms with marble vanities and custom wall treatments and tiling.
The hotel is housed within a sleek glass and exposed steel building that displays curved lines designed by award-winning architecture firm HOK. Interiors are designed by Houston-based architecture and design firm Abel Design Group, featuring warm earthy colors, organic materials, brass fixtures, and hardwood floors, paying homage to the hotel's natural setting of nearby Buffalo Bayou Park.
Thompson Houston offers one of the city's largest outdoor rooftops, with a custom-tiled infinity pool boarded by cabanas and a 2,500-square-foot greenspace, both providing views of downtown and creating an idyllic setting for outdoor weddings and events.
An entire floor at Thompson Houston is dedicated to the full-service Thompson Spa , featuring six treatment suites with spa treatments on par with those of a world-class destination spa resort, combining ancestral tradition with scientific innovation. The spa offers indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, saunas, a salon, and a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. A lineup of bespoke treatments is available to guests and locals, including massages, facials, body and hydration scrubs, men's treatments, regenerative treatments, and more, utilizing luxury products from Pietro Simone and Agent Nateur. Hotel guests also receive access to the EOS fitness center, which is just steps from the hotel.
Further expanding Houston's vibrant culinary offerings, Sol 7 is Thompson Houston's signature all-day dining restaurant located off the lobby, featuring rooftop seating where guests can enjoy creative cocktails and seasonal fare. Opening soon are two additional restaurants operated by TableOne Hospitality: Chardon, a French brasserie that will debut in the summer of 2024, and Buck 40, an upscale supper club slated to open in the fall of 2024. All three restaurants are led by Executive Chef Alexandre Viriot, a Dallas native who has worked alongside three of the world's most accomplished French chefs — Guy Savoy, Joël Robuchon, and Alain Ducasse, at restaurants in Saint Petersburg, Doha, Paris, and Macau. Additionally, Thompson Houston is home to the first brick-and-mortar outpost of a local coffee company, Maven Coffee Company, offering specialty coffees, pastries, and coffee-based cocktails. Maven was founded by Houston Astros baseball player Lance McCullers Jr. with local youth entrepreneurs Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa and Blake Fertitta.
Complementing these dining venues will be an additional collection of restaurants opening in spring 2024 from acclaimed restaurant group Noble33, including Toca Madera, a modern Mexican steakhouse (photo above), and Meduza Mediterrania, an inventive Mediterranean dining experience.
Offering more than 17,000 square feet of meticulously designed flexible indoor and outdoor event space to accommodate groups of up to 800 people, Thompson Houston is the city's newest destination for weddings, meetings, iconic galas, and social events. All venues showcase a residential feel, from intimate executive boardrooms to an 8,000-square-foot ballroom adorned with eclectic mesh chandeliers, brass accents, and a private terrace and entrance for large groups. Customizable breakout rooms and pre-function space also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with many rooms boasting private, wraparound outdoor terraces with views of the city.
The only hotel in Houston with a 160-acre park at its doorstep, Thompson Houston provides an urban respite with several open-air spaces and guest amenities that encourage wellness and outdoor exploration. Guests are welcome to explore the nearby trails on bikes with complimentary Thompson Houston-branded Bluejay Electric Bicycles, and hydration stations are available on each floor in addition to daily newspapers and complimentary fresh fruit.
Good news for all dogs' lovers! At Thompson Houston, your furry friends stay FREE. With custom dog beds, rocket chew toys, bowls, and more, they are in for a treat.
To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Thompson Houston, valid through May 31, 2024, as part of World of Hyatt's new hotel member offer. Check out all OFFERS here and on their Facebook page.
With everything that this luxury oasis has to offer, Ted Knighton, managing director of Thompson Houston, feels more then optimistic: "With a unique design and stellar location beside Buffalo Bayou Park, we are excited to become a homebase for visitors and locals alike and the most sought-after social space for weddings and events."
Photos: Courtesy Thompson Houston
