Flash Pads

More and more Houstonians are taking up residence in high-end hotels.

Aerial View of The Post Oak
Aerial View of The Post Oak

Frequent business travelers know that one of the few perks of being a road warrior is the pleasure of checking into a high-end hotel. The room is pristine; delicious food arrives at the touch of a button; there’s a pool, a gym and, often, someone chic to sidle up next to at the bar.


For some, the appeal is so strong that they choose to never leave. Apartment homes inside high-end hotels are a growing trend, and the number of hotels offering residences increased tenfold over the last decade. Part of the allure is the ability to literally live inside a brand — Bulgari, Armani and Versace all recently licensed their names to hotel residences. But the trend began in the ’80s when hotel-management companies such as St. Regis saw an opportunity to sell apartments to people who could then rent them back to the hotel when they were traveling.

Here in Houston, The Four Seasons has been hosting full-time residents since 1982. The 64 units have been popular with Downtown denizens and sports figures, who may be in the city for just a year or two. A recent refresh added up-to-date amenities and contemporary décor. Though many units are rentals, you can also own: The latest listing — a two-bedroom configuration with 30th-floor views — is on offer for $1.9 mil.

While Downtown has its charms, several developments are popping up just outside the Loop, including The McCarthy in the new Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, which opens in February. The 133 units, from studio to two-bedroom, aren’t huge, but touches like private balconies and 10-foot ceilings make the spaces feel bigger. Complex amenities include a private pool with cabanas, a catering kitchen and a fitness center with access to personal training. And if that isn’t enough, the ZaZa is at your disposal as well. Make the concierge your friend (tip well) and you’ll have a virtual key to the city.

A hotel residence offers the ultimate lock-and-leave lifestyle for the monied jetsetter. Just ask Leslie Alexander, who invested more than $20 mil in a condo at the Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York. Having since sold the Rockets to Tilman Fertitta for $2.2 billion, Alexander also put the apartment up for sale. Fertitta might try to recoup some of the cash by returning Alexander the favor and selling him a residence at his new Uptown development The Post Oak, expected to open this year with a 250-room hotel and 20 apartments.

Details are scant, but we do know they will be 1,000-2,000 square feet and include lots of marble, stainless steel and tasteful bling. Find several of Fertitta’s Landry’s restaurants, and onsite Bugatti and Rolls Royce dealerships. Fertitta lured Jorge Gonzalez from Miami’s Mandarin Oriental to serve as GM of the entire development, which itself is being promoted as a “resort in the city.”

And this much is also known: When it opens, expect The Post Oak to quickly become one of the city’s most prestigious addresses.

Business+Innovation
Spa-tacular Getaway Opportunity: Retreat to Mexico this Fall with a Houston Wellness Expert

Palmaïa The House of AïA

THIS SUMMER, LEBRINA Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, is taking her wisdom and joie de wellness to the jungle. Far beyond the walls of her beautiful spa, she’s aiming to create a quiet space for people to work on their personal growth in a community-centric atmosphere. She shares what participants will get out of the trip and why it’s important to take time for self-care in 2025.

Why is it important for people to “retreat”? Life can feel like a non-stop marathon, and sometimes we forget to just... breathe. Retreating offers a chance to step off the treadmill for a bit and hit the reset button. It's about giving your body and mind some much-needed TLC, allowing for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation. Beyond the personal perks, retreats often create a cool sense of community, connecting you with others on a similar path. By carving out space for self-reflection, you can recharge and return to your daily life with a clearer head and a bit more pep in your step.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back

Heather Almond and Zinat Ahmed

NEARLY 1,700 GUESTS headed to Cotton Ranch in Katy for Cotton Holdings’ 13th annual CrawFest — a Texas-sized evening of food and music. The event raised a record-breaking $768,000 for the Cotton Foundation, which supports families facing disaster, illness and hardship.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Maddy and Patrick Moffitt and Christina and David McAllen

A DERBY WATCH party was so much more than the fastest two minutes in sports! The Post Oak Hotel hosted the Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes event benefiting Bo's Place, and the most fashionable and philanthropic Houstonians turned out.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties