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Condé Nast Traveler
01-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Hotel Saint Augustine
Why book? Houston's newest boutique hotel brings Bunkhouse Hotels' signature charm to the city for the first time. Known for their design-forward, culturally-rooted properties across Texas and beyond, Bunkhouse properties blend style with a strong sense of place—and Hotel Saint Augustine is no exception. It's the kind of hotel you stumble into and never want to leave, with moody, artful interiors, plush beds with high-thread-count linens, and the kind of hush that promises your best of night sleep in ages. Set the scene Tucked into the leafy residential streets of Montrose, Hotel Saint Augustine is designed to blend seamlessly into the neighborhood, with an exterior that looks more like a modern apartment building than a hotel. It's the kind of place guests might discover while biking through the area or visiting the Menil Collection art museum across the street. Inside, the crowd is a mix of young families and chill creatives who appreciate thoughtful design and a slower pace. The heart of the property is the Augustine Bar and Lounge, where three distinct spaces flow together: a cozy vinyl-listening room, a rotating gallery space, and a lounge and bar with eclectic, lived-in charm. The backstory Hotel Saint Augustine marks Bunkhouse Hotels' debut in Houston, developed with The Marchbanks Company and purpose-built to fit within Montrose's residential charm. Designed by Texas architect firm Lake Flato with interiors by Post Company, the hotel reflects Bunkhouse's signature style—artful, offbeat, and quietly cool. Though not affiliated with the Menil Collection, the hotel shares its ethos: intellectual, creative, and community-driven. The result is a low-key retreat with high design, where every detail feels intentional. The rooms The rooms at Hotel Saint Augustine are designed with rest in mind. Each features a bold, monochromatic palette—deep red, inky blue, sage, or mustard—with ceramic wall tiles and textured materials that create a warm, refined atmosphere. The beds are a standout: plush, perfectly supportive, and dressed in high-thread-count linens. Bunkhouse's custom robes and Klur bath products elevate the experience. Showers have excellent pressure, and lighting is soft and ambient. Of the seven room types, only one suite includes a soaking tub and a bar area with glassware inspired by the original Menil House, an architectural wonder built in 1948 for art connoisseurs John and Dominique de Menil. Another room features a closet design nodding to the Menil residence. For lighter sleepers, consider requesting a room away from the lounge, where music may drift in throughout the evening. Food and drink Chef Aaron Bludorn—one of Houston's most respected chefs and a Bar Boulud alum—oversees the hotel's food and beverage program, which includes room service, the all-day restaurant Perseid, and the Augustine Lounge. Perseid channels the feel of a neighborhood bistro, with a Gulf Coast lens on Houston's diverse culinary scene. Breakfast here is a quiet pleasure, with fresh-pressed juice, fluffy pancakes, and a perfectly balanced quiche. Lunch offers a strong prix-fixe menu, while dinner hits its stride during golden hour. The Caesar salad is famous for a reason; add seasonal squash blossoms and seared salmon to round out the meal. Want something more casual? Head to the Augustine Bar, grab a velvet seat, and pair your martini with house-cut fries and a Wagyu hot dog or the signature burger. The neighborhood/area Hotel Saint Augustine sits on Museum Row, directly across from the Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel, with lush green spaces and world-class art just steps away. The surrounding Montrose neighborhood is one of Houston's most walkable and culturally rich, filled with independent boutiques, galleries, and standout restaurants. Just down the block are two Michelin Bib Gourmand favorites—The Pit Room, for Texas barbecue, and Candente, for modern Tex-Mex. About a mile away is BCN Taste and Tradition, one of Houston's Michelin-starred fine dining spots. With so much nearby and easy Uber access to the rest of the city, it's one of the few hotels in Houston where you truly don't need a car. The service Service at Hotel Saint Augustine is relaxed and friendly—more warm welcome than white-glove. Staff strike an easy balance: upbeat and helpful when you need them, but never hovering. It's casual and thoughtful, with just enough presence to make you feel looked after without ever feeling fussed over. For families While Hotel Saint Augustine isn't specifically designed for kids, it's still a fit for families. There's a pool for warm afternoons, a green space nearby for running around, and the open-air layout gives little ones room to roam. With the Menil campus and a quiet neighborhood park just a short walk away, there's plenty to keep younger travelers entertained. Eco effort While Hotel Saint Augustine doesn't carry a formal green certification, sustainability is subtly built into its design. Native landscaping by Ten Eyck minimizes water use, and the building itself was designed to blend into the neighborhood rather than disrupt it. Interiors favor natural materials and locally sourced furnishings, reflecting a low-impact, place-driven approach that aligns with Bunkhouse's broader ethos of thoughtful, community-centered hospitality. Accessibility Hotel Saint Augustine includes ADA-accessible room types, such as the ADA premiere and ADA studio double queen, with features like wider doorways and barrier-free layouts. The property is wheelchair accessible throughout, including the lobby, lounge, restaurant, and pool areas. Anything left to mention? Don't miss Wednesday evenings in the listening lounge, when local guests spin vinyl from 6 to 8 p.m.—it feels less like a hotel event and more like a laid-back neighborhood party. The hotel comprises five separate buildings, each connected by a walkway and painted in a distinctly bold color scheme. The front desk also doubles as a mini museum store, offering a curated selection of art-inspired books, figurines, and gifts that reflect the creative spirit of the neighborhood. Street parking is surprisingly easy if you'd rather skip valet, and the proximity to the Menil Collection is truly unmatched. If you're coming for the art, there's no better home base in Houston.
Axios
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
History-inspired Jue Let cocktail bar replacing Blue Box at Pearl
Lauded chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin is expanding her Pearl footprint with Jue Let, a new cocktail bar. The latest: Dobbertin, a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in Texas and owner of Best Quality Daughter, announced the project Thursday. The bar is named after Jue Let, a China-born private cook for the Beard family. What they're saying: Dobbertin, who is Chinese American, said she was "pleasantly surprised" to learn how deeply Beard was influenced by Chinese culture and cuisine. "It was Jue Let who introduced young [James] Beard to Chinese cuisine, shaping his palate and trajectory as a culinary icon," she said in a statement. What's next: San Antonio architecture firm Lake Flato, which also designed Best Quality Daughter, will transform the former home of Blue Box — shuttered last year — into Jue Let. Dobbertin is bringing along key Best Quality Daughter team members, including beverage director Lisa Forsythe and director of operations Daniel Perez, who will also continue as the restaurant's general manager. While the menu and opening date haven't been announced, Jue Let will feature a small food menu alongside its cocktails.
