Introduction to Houston

Of Texas’s many notable cities, Houston — the state’s largest — may be the hardest to define. A true melting pot, it is home to a wildly diverse population of 2.3 million, reflected in its culinary scene. You’re just as likely to find world-class pho or dim sum as you are good ol’ Texas BBQ. Moreover, its cultural scene boasts more than 150 museums, ranging from the Menil art campus to the Space Center. Nonetheless, the tie that binds everything is Texas pride, something you encounter whether kayaking Buffalo Bayou, indulging in brisket, enjoying the world’s largest rodeo, or staying in one of iBestTravel readers’ favorite Houston hotels.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers participated in the 2023 survey, marking a 25 percent increase over pre-pandemic voting levels. In total, more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties.

Hotels were classified as either resort, city hotel, or safari lodge, based on their location and amenities. They were rated on the following criteria:

• Rooms/facilities
• Location
• Service
• Food
• Value

For each characteristic, respondents selected a rating ranging from excellent to poor. The final scores reflect the averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved

In the second edition of the Houston hotels list for the World’s Best Awards, readers showed overwhelming support for the city’s local and boutique properties. The 93-room Lancaster Hotel (No. 2) was praised for its contemporary art collection, while the Italianate, residential-style Hotel Granduca (No. 4) received accolades for its exceptional service. One reader remarked about the Granduca, saying, “Every time I stay here, it’s consistently the very best quality in everything.” Another enthusiastically commented on the Lancaster, calling it “the hands-down best hotel with great service and location.”

However, among the many well-appointed hotels in Houston, The Post Oak Hotel stood out, impressing readers to earn the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive year. Read on to find out why.

The Winner

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston: Houston, Texas

Houston businessman and billionaire Tilman Fertitta poured extensive efforts into creating the 250-room Post Oak Hotel, filling it with hundreds of original works of art and meticulous attention to detail, from unique poolside flip-flops to handmade chocolates at turndown. Consequently, readers recognized its beauty, with one declaring, “It is by far the most beautiful hotel I’ve visited,” while another dubbed it “the finest in luxury living.” The “first-class” service also received glowing praise. One reader noted, “From the moment you walk in, you are treated like a VIP guest.” Another shared an unforgettable experience stating, “They upgraded my room at no additional charge — and service was beyond my expectations.”

The Full List of Hotels

1. The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Reader Score: 95.21

2. Lancaster Hotel

Reader Score: 94.50

3. Hotel Granduca

Reader Score: 93.25

4. C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton

Reader Score: 92.00

5. Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District

Reader Score: 91.89