Houston's recently opened Hotel Saint Augustine — from the same hospitality group who owns San Antonio's Hotel Havana — is the only Texas hotel to earn acclaim on Esquire's just-released list of the Best New Hotels in the World 2025.
The travel industry has entered a new era when it comes to finding the best places to stay, boosted by TikTok influencers flaunting a hotel's plush amenities and other social media-backed endorsements. But Esquire's travel experts picked their 42 best new hotels "the old-fashioned way," by staying at each property and exploring everything it has to offer.
Hotel Saint Augustine opened in Houston's artistic Montrose neighborhood in December 2024, presenting a sophisticated-yet-approachable atmosphere to locals and visitors alike. The hotel was a highly anticipated expansion of Bunkhouse Hotels.
It boasts 71 boutique guest rooms and suites across five, two-story buildings, and more than half of the rooms have their own balconies or terraces. Most of the rooms also have a stunning view of the courtyard.
Charles James-inspired upholstery and travertine give a nod to the 70s.
Photo by Julie Soefer
"Each room [is] decorated in an archly mid-century fashion inspired by the private quarters of the August family," Esquire contributor Joshua David Stein wrote. "Colors are sage, mustard, and siena; the print on the couch is inspired by Charles James, the couturier who designed the de Menils’ home."
Other must-try amenities that were highlighted in the hotel's review include the temperature-controlled pool — an absolute necessity during Houston's brutal summers — and the listening room at the Augustine Lounge.
The lobby bar has a rich color scheme.
Photo by Julie Soefer
"A listening room holds a reel-to-reel tape player and plush geometric couches on which recline hot, louche Houstonians with stunning décolletage while mere feet away the awe of Cy Twombly’s monumental works beckon in majestic repose," Stein wrote.
The Augustine Lounge is open to the public, so visitors don't need to book a room at the hotel to pop in and visit. The lounge is designed as a "third space" for travelers, featuring multiple seated gathering areas, a walk-up bar, and a laid-back feel that's perfect for hanging out with friends.
The publication also praised the French and Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine at Perseid, the hotel's signature restaurant led by iconic Houston chef Aaron Bludorn. Notable dishes included the crawfish sausage and the classic St. Augustine Burger topped with a duck-liver mousse.
Nightly rates at Hotel Saint Augustine begin at $429.
