The St. Regis Houston — Hotel in Houston

The St. Regis Houston isn’t the newest or flashiest hotel in town. With its oak-paneled walls, equestrian artwork, and generous use of saddle leather, it feels old-school in a very Texas sort of way. If your priority is sleek, cutting-edge design and the latest in-room technology, this may not be the place for you.||||Where the hotel truly excels, however, is in its service. At many luxury properties, a handful of standout staff members elevate the experience. But at the St. Regis Houston, every employee embodies hospitality at its finest—whether it’s the bell staff, front desk associates, butlers, or restaurant servers, each interaction feels effortless yet thoughtful, never scripted or stuffy.||||As with many St. Regis properties in North America, the brand’s signature butler service is reserved for suite guests. However, unlike some sister hotels that shrunk the offering in the wake of Covid, these butlers provide the full range of services, from delivering complimentary coffee and tea on a silver tray to assisting with packing and unpacking, clothes pressing (two garments per day, gratis), and arranging transportation.||||Guests can also take advantage of the house car, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis in the late morning, afternoon, and evening. It offers complimentary round-trip service within a two-mile radius, covering destinations like The Galleria as well as numerous upscale restaurants, banks, and essential stops.||||Dining at the hotel is another strong point. Breakfast is available until 11 a.m. and arrived promptly via in-room dining, with both quality and presentation at the highest standard. 24-hour room service is available, and the hotel’s Remington lounge offers a dinner menu that, while not avant-garde, delivers solid and reasonably priced dishes for a luxury property. Don’t be fooled by the term “lounge”—the space is expansive and feels more like an elegant bistro than a typical hotel bar. Dessert, in particular, stands out as a real highlight and should not be missed.||||Before my stay, I read reviews mentioning wear and tear in the rooms. While I can’t speak for standard accommodations, my Astor Suite was well maintained, possibly reflecting the tendency for hotels to prioritize suite upkeep. While the rooms lean traditional in design, they've been gussied up with Illy espresso machines and late-model flat-screen TVs. Suites also have Bose surround-sound systems and jetted tubs, though I'm told the jacuzzi feature is currently down for maintenance.||||For those so inclined, a rooftop pool beckons, complete with a rock fountain and cabanas (on account of the light use, service is by QR code). There's also an adjacent spa, which operates by appointment only, and a small but well-maintained fitness center. Marble showers and lockers are available to poolgoers or those who would like to freshen up before their room is available.||||My only real notes are of the nit-picky variety: the phone in my suite's bedroom had scratchy reception and should probably be replaced. Turndown service wasn't as elaborate as is usual for hotels in this class. The hotel serves Prosecco at its daily sabrage rather than proper champagne. None of these seriously detracted from my stay.||||This isn't the most grandiose or bespoke luxury hotel I've encountered in my travels, but from the moment I arrived, I felt at ease, and that feeling remained until the moment I departed. That is the hallmark of a truly great hotel.||||The St. Regis Houston earns my highest...

Ambassador status review:

We checked in Sunday at 1pm. Friendly front desk group. Zero upgrade for Ambassador status as “hotel was fully booked”, and that was probably true as a work retreat/meeting was going on, plus other business groups. Actually besides my husband and I, my guess is it was 100% business travelers. Actually an excellent business hotel.

Staff was extremely friendly throughout the stay. House car was always less than 10 minutes away to take us to/from dinner, convenient amenity, black Escalades. The SPA and fitness area was small but had everything you’d need for a full workout or massage/facial.

The room was outdated but large with plenty of storage, drawers, large safe, big desk, chaise lounger, decor from the 80’s-90’s but was high quality, yes in need of update but that didn’t bother us. The bathroom on the other hand was terrible… smelt like mold, unsafe tub/shower. We are from Florida so we understand the need to thoroughly clean with bleach or vinegar and this is needed in the bathrooms. Housekeeping was below average. I did bring this up to the front desk and they corrected the issue immediately. Also, the tub/shower has a HIGH step to get in/out and the old tub was slanted inwards so it felt unsteady and frankly I’m 53 years old and w/ good mobility…I can’t imagine someone over 60 or someone with any hip or knee replacement, trying to get in/out.

We ate breakfast daily at the hotel, drinks every evening, and 3 dinners at the bar/restaurant. All our meals were excellent. The wine, Old Fashions and martinis were excellent. Harry the bartender and Ron the server were outstanding employees who have been at the hotel for 27 and 31 years. We tried the Benedict, pancakes, burrito, omelette etc all excellent for breakfast. Dinner we tried the ribeye, burger, lobster bisque, salad, and the club again all excellent.

No shops except a Diamond store, I would have liked to do some shopping. The lobby has a wonderful scent. You can purchase the room spray on St Regis website which we did. The tearoom was lovely and comfortable with various seating areas BUT we only hung out there or had a glass of wine as the tea service is only Friday, Saturday, Sunday, which stinks because we love high tea at our Naples Ritz, and definitely would have done the tea possibly multiple times.

We like the boutique smaller style of the hotel. It felt very personal. Employees greeted us by name. The pool is heated and a lovely area. It’s not “resort” like, it’s boutique like and perfect say if my husband was there for work, I’d hang at the pool, type pool.

We also liked the 5-6 days we saw zero kids! That alone would make us return. Every guest was well heeled, dressed well, polite, yet had fun and were friendly. The hotel did a good job keeping the work conference/meeting separate from other business people.

We would recommend/return but would request a room with a walk-in shower. If you like an old money feel hotel, you will love the St Regis. If you like chic, new and a younger vibe… this isn’t the hotel.

PS if you need to go to MD Anderson this is a lovely retreat only...

Classic Elegance Meets Texas Charm

Houston, a city of warmth, vibrancy, and surprises. For our inaugural visit, we anchored ourselves at The St. Regis - a brand synonymous with unparalleled service and timeless luxury. Indeed, our expectations were high, and the staff did not just meet them; they exceeded them.

From the attentive check-in team, offering an insider's perspective on Houston's best shopping and exploration spots, to the impeccable service at The Remington and the diligent housekeeping and bell staff, the talent pool here is exceptional. A personal commendation to Harry and his remarkable Remington team, whose jovial demeanor and unrivaled hospitality transformed my indulgent steak and wine evening into a delightful memory. Likewise, the breakfast crew’s seamless orchestration spoke volumes of their commitment to guest satisfaction.

However, every rose has its thorn. Notably, the esteemed butler service, a hallmark of the St. Regis brand, remained conspicuously absent during our stay. It was only upon further inquiry that I learned of its availability, but it's not readily offered unless you specifically request it. This is a stark departure from other St. Regis properties like the original in New York and The St. Regis Atlanta, where the butler service is prominently highlighted, both in-person and online.

A fellow diner lamented the bygone days when The Remington buzzed with the vibrant hum of live music on weekends, a sentiment I share. A deserted Friday night restaurant atmosphere dampens the otherwise exquisite culinary experience. While I was utterly absorbed by Harry's entertaining conversation, the silent ambiance and omnipresent football games did little to complement my upscale dining experience. A quick note on the dessert front - the creme brulee, in its current rendition, could use a revisit. Sometimes, the charm lies in tradition and simplicity.

Accommodation-wise, while the rooms bear the mark of time, their comfort is unquestionable, and the meticulous cleanliness is a testament to the diligence of the staff. The pool, though, was a minor letdown. The enticing cabanas and service portrayed in photographs were conspicuously absent in reality, making the room a more appealing relaxation spot.

Would a refurbishing uplift The St. Regis Houston's charm? Undoubtedly. But aesthetics aside, the heart and soul of any establishment is its people. Whether it's the innate Texas cordiality, the St. Regis ethos, or an enchanting blend of both, our stay was memorable. Service, as they say, is the lifeblood of hospitality, and in that, The St. Regis Houston shines brilliantly. Would we return? In a...