Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District

The Hotel ZaZa somehow manages to combine funky and regal elements into a unique, posh, and sometimes over-the-top design. Large paintings, including many steely-eyed portraits, line the walls of the dark lobby. An ornate chandelier hangs next to zebra print chairs. Monarch Restaurant, while sleeker and colder overall, has several murals that keenly mock celebrity -- people taking pictures of famous people, some who are looking at pictures. Overall there’s a strange but not unpleasant quality to the Hotel ZaZa, something otherworldly.

Located in Houston’s museum district, the hotel is within walking distance of a number of the city’s cultural institutions. The Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum, Holocaust Museum Houston, and Museum of Natural Science are just short strolls away, as is Hermann Park. The Houston Zoo is a bit farther south but still easily reachable by foot. There are also a number of dining and retail options in the area, as well as theater and nightlife. It’s about a 30-minute drive north to the airport. Valet parking is the only option at the hotel, and guests pay for it.

Even the most standard rooms here maintain Hotel Zaza’s unique, funky character, with red patterned headboards and claw foot beds. Units include free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, an iPod player, and a minibar. Bathrooms come with large steam showers, marble countertops, and C.O. Bigelow products. The Hotel ZaZa also has several levels of multi-room suites, ranging from large to palatial, through which it channels most of its design fun, creating its own versions of a New York City loft and a regal English flat for instance. Other categories include West Indies and That’s Entertainment suites, as well as the romantic space An Affair to Remember. Quite comprehensive and definitely memorable, these suites are good for long stays and/or as corporate apartments.

The hotel is equipped with a luxurious spa that offers beauty and body treatments and an outdoor pool with a patio bar. The vibe at the pool is European and glamorous, with plenty of lounge chairs. The 24-hour fitness center is large, with cardio machines and weights, and includes individual TVs for each of the machines. While there are plenty of food options within walking distance, the hotel has Monarch, its American-fare restaurant and lounge, focusing on Southern cuisine. Breakfast isn't included with the price of a room, but there is free coffee in the lobby every morning. The ZaZa has a large amount of event space, ranging from simple to ornate. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.