Houston probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when you think of family vacation destinations. It hadn’t been on my radar until recently when my husband had to travel there for a work conference. When he told me about it, I started researching kid-friendly activities. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I found! Then a friend mentioned the Post Oak Hotel and, after viewing it, I was ready to book our flights!
The Post Oak Hotel is Texas’ only Double Five-Star hotel and spa and has been awarded by Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 15 City Hotels in The Continental U.S. After staying at this hotel, I can see why it has received so many coveted awards.
This hotel delivers luxury, quality, and service unlike any other. There is a cascading chandelier with over 15,000 crystals in the lobby, a Rolls-Royce showroom, and an outstanding art collection on display throughout the property. Although you’re surrounded by luxury and opulence, the hotel is still inviting and friendly, and very accommodating to kids. We were greeted the moment we stepped out of our car, and the staff working the lobby immediately inquired to see how they could assist us.
The hotel is full of subtle details that make a huge impact. There are real flowers everywhere. From the fresh flowers on our room service cart to the orchid in our bathroom. You’ll notice the staff is constantly fluffing pillows in the lobby, resetting floral arrangements, and cleaning the windows. No detail seems to get overlooked.
The hotel only has 250 rooms, but it has all the amenities, top-notch concierge, dining, and shopping you would find at much larger properties. We loved every second of our weekend visit to this property and wish we could’ve spent longer there.
Upscale Guest Rooms
The modern guest rooms are thoughtfully designed, immaculately clean, and well-appointed. The rooms strike an elegant balance, with dark furniture offset by grey and white accents. They have beautiful, plush pillows everywhere and even have luxurious accessories, like a Chanel coffee table book. There’s even a chandelier in the room’s entryway, which also has a spacious closet.
We stayed in a Luxury Double Room, which had an awesome view of the city. It had two queen beds, as well as a sofa, a desk, and plenty of storage to accommodate the entire family. This room fit the whole family perfectly and allowed us to enjoy some downtime in between activities. The Post Oak also has Executive Suites that have a separate living area and television, along with a pullout sofa bed, for those who might need a little more space.
I’m a sucker for a fluffy bathrobe and a great minibar, and the Post Oak has both of those covered. The dark grey robes are so cozy. And they even have slippers! The minibar is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s complete with all the barware you need, large bottles of high-end wine and liquor, and Justin’s peanut butter cups, which made Carter so happy!
The bathroom is surrounded by white marble and adorned with another beautiful chandelier. There’s also a large soaker tub with a television. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a bath and fully transport yourself into vacay mode. Carter thought it was the coolest thing to watch a show while in the bath. There are also dual vanities, and separate showers.
Tech Heaven
Everything in the room can be controlled by a tablet, from opening and closing the blinds to adjusting the temperature to communicating with the front desk and even ordering food. It’s incredible. There are even lights on the floor by the bed that illuminates when your feet hit the ground, which is very helpful late at night.
Camp Post Oak and Other Kids’ Experiences
So much of what makes an exceptional experience is the special touches. The Post Oak offers unique activities that create unforgettable memories for your family. For Carter, the hotel arranged to have Camp Post Oak set up in our hotel room when we arrived. When he entered the room, he was greeted by a tent full of cowboy essentials, a large wooden horse that he could ride, and a tray of chocolates shaped like a cowboy hat and a belt buckle. They were almost too perfect to eat. But eventually, we gave in and tried them. When he spotted the tent and realized it was for him, he bolted over to it and hopped right inside!
The treats were made by the hotel’s award-winning pastry chef. Carter had a chocolate cowboy hat and an egg filled with jellybeans, as well as an edible belt buckle and the state of Texas. They looked so realistic that Carter wasn’t sure if he could eat them!
Inside the tent was a coloring book and crayons, a puzzle, and Posty, the official stuffed pony of the Post Oak Hotel. This experience made our stay extra memorable. Hopefully, it didn’t set the expectation that every hotel will have some type of experience like this.
They have several other experiences that kids would love, which you can find by clicking here.
Room Service
The Post Oak offers 24-hour room service in addition to the seven onsite restaurants, which you can read about by clicking here.
We ordered room service from our room’s touch-screen phone for breakfast one morning so that we could watch TV, lounge in our robes, and enjoy our meal in bed. We enjoyed almond milk lattes, hot chocolate, and egg breakfasts with the best potatoes! And, of course, it arrived on a beautifully laid-out tray with fresh flowers.
The Pool
The pool at Post Oak is so glamorous. Located in the center of the hotel and surrounded by windows, it’s the place to be seen! Everything is decorated in black and white including the lounger cushions, umbrellas, and cabana curtains. We enjoyed relaxing on the daybeds and in-pool loungers, which provide easy access to the heated pool. This chic spot has plenty of seating, fabulous poolside service, and five cabanas that are perfect for groups and families. The cabanas have a fridge, television, sofa, and great views of the entire pool area. Tip: If you’re interested in a cabana, make sure to reserve one far in advance, as they are very popular.
Five-Star Relaxation
When you’re ready to get a break from the family and immerse yourself in total relaxation then visit the The Post Oak Spa. The spa is one of only 31 spas in the country to have been awarded a Forbes Five-Star rated spa. In addition to the relaxing treatment rooms, the 20,000-square-foot spa includes a sauna, a quiet room, and a beautiful soaking area with loungers. This is a treat for the body and the perfect place to retreat and rejuvenate.
We loved our time at this property and look forward to returning. If you’re considering a Houston vacay, then make sure to add The Post Oak Hotel to your itinerary. Happy travels!
