The Lancaster Hotel

Houston's oldest continually operating hotel, the 93-room Lancaster traces its beginnings to 1926 when it opened as the 200-room Auditorium Hotel. It was renamed the Lancaster in 1983 when it became Houston's first boutique hotel. It is listed as a Texas Historical Landmark, and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. State and U.S. flags distinguish the front of the 12-story building, and doormen stand ready to greet guests and assist with luggage. The two-story lobby is elegant and classy, in keeping with the historic nature of the hotel. A graceful staircase leads to the mezzanine. Check-in is a seated affair, and guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne. Multiple seating areas with brown leather and velvet sofas and armchairs encourage guests to linger for business or social gatherings. The rich, elegant furnishings exude historic character and class, yet the setting is warm and inviting, rather than stuffy. Guests here are mostly couples and business travelers.

The Lancaster is conveniently situated in the heart of Houston's theater and business district surrounded by ballet and opera venues, theaters, and numerous restaurants and nightlife. Sites reachable by foot in less than five minutes include the Wortham Theater, Revention Music Center, Market Square Park, and the Houston Ballet. The Hobby Center for Performing Arts and the Downtown Aquarium are each a seven-minute walk, and guests can reach Minute Maid Park for seeing the Houston Astros in just over 10 minutes on foot. For guests who prefer not to walk, the hotel provides shuttle service to sites within a 3-mile radius. The popular Johnson Space Center is 30 to 40 minutes away by car, and William B. Hobby Southwest International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport are both about 40 minutes away.

Rooms are chic and luxurious, with trendy neutral color schemes in gray and tan hues, rich furnishings, and textured duvets. Each room has plenty of modern features to offset the hotel's historic quality, including a mini-fridge, 55-inch flat-screen TV, alarm clock radio with docking station, charging stations, and Nespresso machines. Guests rave about the comfort of the beds. Sophisticated bathrooms feature white Carrera marble floors and countertops, high-end brass Marbleworks fixtures, plush robes, and Bulgari toiletries. Suites offer separate seating and dining areas and are styled like upscale homes. Soundproofing is excellent so rooms are quiet even though the hotel is situated in a busy downtown location. 

A free buffet breakfast includes the usual continental items, plus gourmet fare such as smoked salmon, meats, cheeses, and Italian coffee. Cultivated F+B serves contemporary American cuisine for all meals in a casual, cozy setting, and it's famous for its crab cakes. A free shuttle takes guests to sites within a 3-mile radius. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and private car services or airport transfers can be arranged. Shuttles to the cruise terminal and shopping centers are also available for a fee.