Hotel Snapshot
As a native Houstonian, I’ve heard about Thompson Houston many-a-time since its opening in 2024. Of course, growing up here in the city, I seldom had a reason for staycation-ing between the suburbs and the city. Experiencing fine, Manhattan-meets-Southern hospitality within the Houston Loop for the first time, I've already informed my family we'll be returning later this year.
We gathered for the Houston Rodeo—the super bowl of country culture with 2.7 million attendees. Everyone gets gussied-up in the season’s finest denims, leathers, fringe, and studs for a night of games, shopping, roping and riding, and of course—singing along with country stars on the star-shaped stage.
Always attending with family and friends, my experiences at the rodeo were relatively casual. Rolling through the historic Fourth Ward to the Thompson Houston with a 36-story facade of glass and steel—it was readily apparent that this would be a different type of rodeo. Stepping through the welcome lounge, and scaling the elevator to the sky lobby, I was greeted by panoramic views of the Houston skyline and Buffalo Bayou Park, along with their friendly, impeccably-dressed hotel staff.
Design & Character
The owner-developer, DC Partners led by CEO, Roberto Contreras, is also the founder of two stone and porcelain tile companies, Moderno Porcelain Works and Stonite Surface. Between the architecture by HOK and interiors by Abel Design Group, there is quite a monumental display of tile work throughout. The goal was to capture Houston at the peak of the 1970s oil boom, which spoke to the nostalgic design lover in me.
Most notable is the scale of shared spaces and suites, giving you a true sense of luxurious Houston living. Waltzing through the hotel, you find yourself looking up at towering walls of glass, neverending bookshelves, oversized artworks, a fireplace spanning an entire room—there is an air of abundance and room to breathe.
The lobby curves right into the open-air restaurant, patio, and outdoor space. There’s a sweeping bar and plenty of tabletop seating for eating and working. Beyond, 2,500-feet of greenspace for activities and events, and an infinity edge pool with sizable cabanas and rare, unobstructed views of the skyline.
A common design principle throughout the hotel was clearly letting the famous Houston skyline and lush greenery speak for itself. Each space was crafted to make guests feel larger-than-life, drawing the eye towards the city and nature. I’m reminded of the city’s renowned James Turrell Skyspace at Rice University, which frames the sky as the artwork—their live concert series is a must-see.
The Rooms
The HAP team was blessed with the Sky Suite, one of the most spectacular suites I’ve ever seen in Texas—sunbathed and palatial in scale, bespoke to the finest of details, and a dedicated seating area with a mid-century cocktail bar.
The showstopper was the bathroom—a marble shower with an oversized tub inside, framing the skyline. Shutting my laptop, shuffling into their ultra-chic robe and slippers, and running a hot bath with white wine felt like a full circle moment. Growing up in Houston, and at the age of 31, finally earning a moment of luxury in my hometown.
There are 34 suites and 138 rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of Buffalo Bayou Park’s 160-acre green canopy and Houston’s downtown skyline. Each cocoon in the sky is outfitted with custom-made furniture, marble porcelain vanities, hardwood floors, hearty brass fixtures—that sense of a well-to-do Houstonian’s residence back in the 1970s.
Leading up to the big event, we graced the Penthouse Suite for a silver-spoon tailgate in the sky with 818 Tequila. I can only imagine the stories of guests who stayed in this iconic space. Unrivaled views of the city, pool table, living room wrapped around a modernist fireplace, dedicated dining room—and a moody, symmetrical bathroom in black marble with C-shaped windows and a delightful selection of house beauty products. The sheer size and volume of stone slabs within the space is remarkable.
The Food & Drink
The first afternoon, we gathered for champagne at the cabanas by the pool. It felt as if we were on Selling Sunset, the hotel staff and travel journalists sporting their finest, toasting along a modernist, infinity edge pool. I had to stop myself from saying, “I’ll take it,” as if we were touring a billionaire’s residence for sale.
Our first night we dined at Chardon on the ground floor, a refined, relaxed, and modern French Brasserie rooted in quality.
Infusing French soul with Texas classics, Executive Chef EJ Miller treated us to towering plates of deviled eggs with blue crab and trout roe, pate en croute with wild boar and foie gras, wagyu steak tartare, and many more delicacies.
Following, the server thankfully strong-armed me into the beef cheek bourguignon with bacon, mushrooms, sauce brunois, and pommes puree. For the table, we thoroughly enjoyed the duck fat fries with garlic aioli.
At the bar, I was taken aback by their Paper Plane with Michter’s Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon. I have a habit of ordering a mezcal old-fashioned as a litmus test for anywhere I’m enjoying or reviewing—it was quite nuanced with orange peel and rosemary on the nose, and a lingering smokey finish.
With Sol 7, Chardon, Buck 40, and Maven Coffee Co. within reach, there is a spectacular variety of casual to fine dining. If you wanted, you could add Toca Madera here as it is next to the hotel but it is not a part of the property.
The Amenities
Gifted an hour with a masseuse, I wandered through marble rooms and hallways into the modern-luxury spa.
Toying around with their top-tier merchandise and wellness goods, my name was whispered to transition into a robe and sip hot tea with lounge seating and soft music—among wall-to-wall windows of green forest and softly-bustling city from such a removed vantage point. Offered CBD before the treatment, we talked through my needs. As a spoiled travel journalist, I’ve had a few massages recently—piecing together a cohesive treatment plan between therapists.
The one-acre rooftop is a shining asset—an incredible hangout spot for intimate retreats, group gatherings, and private events. Morning yoga is an aspirational moment, waking up with the city and showing up for yourself, even while on vacation.
Thompson Houston offers enviable direct access to Buffalo Bayou Park with complimentary Bluejay electric bikes for the 160-acre trail. For an infamously car-centric city, with low walkability scores—having these trails at the doorstep of the hotel is an incredible amenity.
For all of you HAPpers out there helicopter-ing about metropolitan landscapes, we have great news for you. This is the only hotel in Houston with a private rooftop heliport for local airport transfers.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
My top recommendation is to saddle-up for a grand ol’ time at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
With my Sunday’s best, Kemo Sabe cowboy hay, and python boots, we jumped onto a sprinter van and wandered around the massive stadium of concession stands, Houston-proud merchandise, roping and riding entertainment, followed by country star, Lainey Wilson, rocking out on a spinning star-shaped stage. Beyond the central stadium there is much more to explore from show happenings to artisan booths.
Thompson Houston sits in the historic Fourth Ward, with Buffalo Bayou Park as its front yard, offering enviable walkability within a car-centric city. Local gems to discover include the Waugh Drive bat colony emerging at dusk, and the underground Cistern, a spooky former reservoir turned immersive art space.
NRG Stadium is roughly 20-minutes by car, in addition to rush-hour and event-related traffic. The Thompson concierge handles logistics seamlessly, with the staff guiding you place-to-place without even having to think.
Beyond the rodeo, Montrose's restaurant row is 10-minutes away, alongside the city's art scene—the Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, and James Turrell's Twilight Epiphany Skyspace at Rice University for sunrise and sunset light sequences. With three skyspaces across Rice, Live Oak Friends, and MFAH, Houston has more than any city in the world—with LA and Oslo, Norway each stewarding two skyspaces.
Between the Rodeo, FIFA World Cup matches arriving in June, and the city's run as one of the country's most buzzing food destinations, 2026 is the year to discover Houston—with Thompson Houston as your homebase.
Fast Facts
Address: 1717 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019
Vibe: Palatial 1970s-inspired architecture and interiors at an expansive scale, with masterful tilework and rare, unobstructed views of the Downtown Houston skyline
Rating: 5-star
Starting Rate: $270
Room Count: 34 Suites; 138 Rooms
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The one-acre rooftop with a custom-tiled infinity pool and famous Houston skyline. Oversized cabanas with golden-hour service from Sol 7 restaurant and bar.
Amenities: Sol 7 all-day rooftop restaurant; Chardon French brasserie; Maven Coffee Company lobby outpost; Thompson Spa with Pietro Simone & Agent Nateur products; one-acre rooftop with infinity pool and cabanas; 2,500 sq. ft. greenspace; complimentary Bluejay Electric Bicycles; private heliport; EOS fitness center access; 17,000+ sq. ft. of event space; World of Hyatt loyalty integration
Nearby Attractions: Buffalo Bayou Park at the front door; NRG Stadium; Houston Rodeo; The Galleria; River Oaks; Montrose dining; Menil and Rothko Chapel Collection; Museum District; Daikin Park; Shell Energy Stadium; James Turrell Skyspace
Airport: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) in 25-min; William P. Hobby (HOU) in 25-min
Houston, Texas, United States
