TL;DR

Sky-high views: Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Downtown and Buffalo Bayou Park.
Contemporary design: Glass-clad building with stylish interiors and greenery nearby.
Parkside setting: Direct access to Houston’s most charming nature walks and trails.
City access: Close to hidden gems and cultural attractions within short drives.
Check prices here

With windows for days and views to die for, both the Fourth Ward and Downtown Houston have best foot forward at Hyatt’s Thompson Houston.

With a decidedly contemporary hotel vibe, the glass-covered building is one of the tallest in the neighborhood.

It’s easy to see both the city and the supremely charming Buffalo Bayou Park at their very best.

Houston’s not the place you’d think of for nature walks, but this hotel will give you easy access to a charming spread of plants, animals, and walking trails.

If you’d rather head into the city, you’ll find a handful of hidden gems around, and plenty of other attractions within a short drive.

The hotel itself is a bit big for a boutique, but with the proximity to one of the city’s top green spaces and some lesser-explored neighborhoods, we wanted to include it.

What are the rooms like?

Room count: 172 total, ranging from Kings to expansive suites.
Stylish interiors: Rich woods, mossy greens, and mid-century accents.
Generous space: Most rooms around 400 sq ft, with larger suites available.
Luxury amenities: Smart TVs, Tivoli radios, Nespresso, robes, slippers, and local snacks.
Notable bathrooms: Black-and-white stone, brass fixtures, soaking tubs, and D.S. & Durga toiletries.
See each room in detail here

Rooms are lovely, as you’d expect – it’s a Hyatt establishment and the standard of luxury is high.

Yet, what we might have assumed would be cookie-cutter, Luxury Hotel TM rooms are stylish, unique and well-appointed.

The color scheme includes rich wood and mossy greens, as well as carpets with innocuous but attractive patterns.

There’s a mid-century modernism to it all that doesn’t feel dated, but has a comfortable familiarity.

It’s a bit Playtime and a bit Lost in Translation and a lot lovely.

The most basic room is a King Single, with options for views of the park or the city skyline.

Other options include Queen Doubles and a lovely selection of Suites in many different sizes.

All rooms are either 400 square feet or close to, meaning you don’t have to worry about size.

Suites are studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms, with a gorgeous Panoramic option that we would snap up in a heartbeat, if we were you.

Whatever you choose, we’re looking at smart TVs, Tivoli Bluetooth radios, Nespresso machines, mini fridges, cozy robes and slippers, and an honor bar full of local snacks.

We’ve a keen eye for a notable bathroom, and Thompson Houston is definitely on our radar.

Set with either luxury soaking tubs or walk-in showers or both, these beauties are all black and white stone, brass fixtures and huge windows with D.S. & Durga toiletries.

Have yourself a room tour here:

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Dining variety: Sol7 all-day dining, Maven Coffee Co., Chardon brasserie, and Toca Madera steakhouse.
Stylish settings: Contemporary decor with panoramic views across Houston.
Wellness: Fitness center, rooftop pool with cabanas, and a serene spa with treatments.

The area might not have a wide range of food options, but your hotel certainly does.

We’re talking at least three restaurants, with more on the way.

The classic is called Sol7, an all-day space with incredible views and an internationally-inspired menu.

The lighting and decor are all spot-on contemporary chic.

For smaller bites, breakfasts and coffee, you’ll find Maven Coffee Co. on the ground floor.

Chardon is a brand-new, shiny-in-all-the-best-ways French brasserie.

Those who want Texan Steakhouse in every way can check out the three-location local chain Toca Madera, serving high-quality cuts and cocktails with a locally-sourced flair.

Putting food aside for a second, you’ve got plenty of other facilities to enjoy.

There’s an on-site fitness center and a rooftop pool with cabanas in one corner for those who want to move a little.

More relaxing options can be found at the hotel spa. They offer massages, facials and body treatments in a calm, natural space, featuring more of that gorgeous stone we loved in the bathrooms.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Parkside access: Buffalo Bayou Park at your doorstep, with walks and skyline views.
Downtown walkability: Sam Houston Park, City Hall, and Theater District within 20 minutes.
Cultural highlights: Rothko Chapel, Menil Collection, and Museum Park all close by.
Family-friendly: Houston Zoo and Hermann Park a short drive south.

Houston’s Fourth Ward is not a super touristic place, but the hotel is more in Buffalo Bayou Park than it is the Ward anyway.

You’ll be able to spend mornings wandering around the water, gazing at skyscrapers while listening to the birds.

There’s also a cheeky route through the park into Downtown; you can walk to Sam Houston Park in 20 minutes.

Once you’re there, it’s City Hall, the Central Business District, and the Theater District all around.

If you’d like some music or a show, check out Bayou Place, a music-event-mall complex, or the Houston Grand Opera.

Or, just wander the streets, find a cute restaurant, visit more parks. Houston’s food scene is spoilt for choice of international options, so we recommend you pick your favorite cuisine and search it out.

If you’d rather something more hip, head south from the hotel towards Montrose, a 10-minute drive.

Art enthusiasts will love the Rothko Chapel, and the Menil Collection offers free admission to see a truly astounding collection from John and Dominique de Menil, a couple with as much taste as money.

If you want to keep on the museum train, head to Museum Park, 15 minutes from the hotel.

You’ll find excellent options like the Museum of Fine Art Houston, the Natural Science Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Craft, and many others.

Further south is the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park, both excellent highlights for kids and adults.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Beautiful hotel! Perfect for a couple’s getaway. Loved the peacefulness, we were able to get great sleep then enjoy the panoramic view from our room….”

“Cleanliness, attention to detail, amenities, and staff. Marc and Victor went out of their way to help me plan a birthday for my wife. They decorated our room with rose petals, lights, and champagne on ice while we were out to dinner. We will definitely come back…. soon….”