Situated between the city's heartbeat and the serenity of a lush, green park, this urban oasis presents a new level of luxury with its stunning design, top-tier spa, and expansive outdoor relax-and-revive pool deck in the sky.
Often, the best urban stays are at places that immerse you in the culture, but at the same time, can take you psychologically out of the city setting when you need to chill from the hub-bub. Thompson, Houston is exactly that perfect hybrid hotel, located in the heart of Houston near museums, galleries, and theaters, but with immense outdoor deck spaces for fresh air and blue sky, and next door to Buffalo Bayou Park, 160 acres of lush green space, hiking and biking trails, and other nature perks. When you stay at this brand-new hotel, you get it all—the buzz of a city experience with the serenity of a spa and wellness-focused getaway.
Architecturally, Thompson Houston is a marvel. The 36-story skyscraper with a glass-and-steel façade was built by the award-winning architect HOK, known for their innovative and impactful creations. And this one was constructed thoughtfully to enhance the visual relationship between the hotel’s towering structure and its more modestly scaled neighbors, maintaining the neighborhood's character while introducing a very cool modern landmark.
As you enter, you step into a scene that brings you aesthetically to the opulence of Houston during the oil boom of the 1970s, but with contemporary updates. This is midcentury modern in peak form: not-fussy but absolutely luxurious. Additionally, organic materials, brass fixtures, sumptuous marble, and hardwood floors throughout the common areas and the 172 guest rooms create a warm, inviting environment that jibes nicely with the natural beauty just beyond the windows.
The rooms are designed to maximize the stunning unobstructed views of either the downtown skyline or the sprawling green of the park by making floor-to-ceiling windows their prime features. Looking out, you feel you’re floating in midair. The bathrooms are particularly striking—they appear to be carved from sumptuous, dramatic marble, with a glass-enclosed bath and shower area that transform your simple soak into a mind-blowing, immersive experience.
Walk out onto the seventh-floor pool deck, and you get yet another reminder of your ideal existence between feeling plugged into the city culture, and checked out from its intensity. This one-acre space is equipped with private cabanas, a café, and an infinity pool that offers those crystal-clear views of the skyline. It's a perfect spot to unwind, enjoy a drink, and feel the sun on your skin. When hungry, you can grab an outdoor table at Sol 7, the on-site restaurant, which offers an all-day menu that changes with the seasons. The culinary scene is set to expand with two new additions: Chardon, a French brasserie, and Buck 40, an upscale supper club.
And for wellness, Thompson Houston dedicates an entire floor to health and relaxation. There’s a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, and workout classes. Of course, the main star is the Thompson Spa—an urban retreat of the most pampering kind. Treatments blend traditional healing practices with advanced innovations for effective beauty results plus a balanced body and mind. At the forefront are the bespoke facials by Pietro Simone, the renowned aesthetician and skincare guru known for his revolutionary, and highly intuitive techniques. His unique Cellular Activating Facial should be on your must-do list. Organic skincare line, Agent Nateur, adds anti-aging power to the Lift & Renew facials.
Spa products are curated from Kenya, Italy, the UK, and the US, including the aforementioned and Sprekenhus. A variety of massages are also on offer, such as the Texas Starry Night Slumber Massage, a sleep-inducing treatment for physical and mental relaxation that utilizes the benefits of CBD. There are also body scrubs, hydration treatments, saunas, plus indoor and outdoor relaxation areas that keep the post-treatment good vibes going amidst those breathtaking park-sky-city vistas.
