Destination Houston: Easy, Fun Staycation Ideas for Summer!

Destination Houston: Easy, Fun Staycation Ideas for Summer!

The Woodlands Resort

IT’S HOT OUT there, folks. One tried and true way to stay cool in H-Town is to find a great pool and post up for the day. Don’t have one of your own? Some of the city’s chicest hotels are offering staycation packages that will make booking a girls’ day or romantic getaway hard to resist. Check in here for all the best deals!


Four Seasons Hotel Houston

The pool at the Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Hotel Downtown recently debuted its multi-million-dollar renovation. Stay in one of the newly transformed Cabana Rooms, in which sliding glass doors open up to a semi-private, covered patio overlooking the pool and deck. There are plenty of poolside parties happening here this summer, including a Grill & Chill celebration on July 2-3 with outdoor grilling stations, drink specials and a live DJ, and Dive-In Movies on Friday nights throughout the summer. The Stay and Play package is catered to locals, and comes with a $100 resort credit each night, plus two cocktails at Bayou & Bottle or The Pool Deck, late checkout (3pm!), and overnight valet parking. What a deal!

Blossom Hotel

The lobby of the Blossom Hotel

The latest luxury property to bow in the Med Center, Blossom Hotel has a rooftop pool with fantastic views, and a special rate for locals: Texas and Louisiana residents can save (and score free drink coupons) with the promo code TXRES, and those who book two nights or more can get 20 percent off with the code PROSU.

The Laura Hotel

Poolside at The Laura

The stunning Alessandra property Downtown closed mid-pandemic, and in its place, The Laura Hotel quietly debuted earlier this year, and its spa just opened at the beginning of the summer. Promotions touting deals at the spa (get a blow-out and manicure for just $100!) and the beautiful Hull & Oak restaurant are available; book the Bubbles & Brew package to score two beverages at the bar and a $50 dining credit. The rooftop pool is uniquely intimate, and a perfect place to cool off after exploring Downtown.

The Woodlands Resort

S'mores kits at The Woodlands Resort

The Woodlands Resort's multiple-pool situation, compete with lazy river and giant waterslide, is hard to beat. The hotel is offering tons of kid-friendly fun this summer, including a "glamping" package, in which a tent with a sleeping bag and s'mores kit is set up inside the guest room. Programming for the weekend of July 4 includes karaoke, arts and crafts, and turtle feeding (yes, really).

C. Baldwin

Looking for a hassle-free great view of the July 4 fireworks display? Check in at the C. Baldwin, which has several west-facing suites that will offer an ideal view of the show on Allen Parkway. That evening, the hotel also hosts a "patio party" with special barbecue fare from Rosalie.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Soaking pools at Trellis

A go-to for Houstonians seeking a respite from the daily grind, The Houstonian's new Trellis Spa is the definition of staycation-worthy. It'd be easy to spend a whole weekend getting pampered and relaxing by the soaking pools, but some of the summer packages — like the Stay & Play or the Unwind & Dine — will encourage you to explore the rest of the property. For example, trails lead all the way to Memorial Park, perfect for an early-morning jog, and Tribute restaurant's "Tex-Lex" fare melds the mouthwatering flavors of Texas and Louisiana cuisine.

Style
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less