In the 17 years since I moved from Houston to New York City, the sprawling Texas city has experienced an artistic and cultural renaissance. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston was upgraded with a $470 million expansion, which included the addition of the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building for Modern and Contemporary Art; Both Super Bowl LI and the 2024 College Football National Championship have been held at Houston’s NRG Stadium; and the city is now home to three Michelin Star restaurants. Naturally, this has extended to hospitality, and on a recent visit to H-Town—as locals affectionately call it—I stayed at one of Houston’s newer hotels, Hotel Saint Augustine.
The 71-room hotel is one of nine Bunkhouse Hotels, a group of boutique properties in Texas and Mexico, inspired by the neighborhoods they’re built in. When eyeing Houston (Bunkhouse previously opened hotels in Austin, Mexico City, and Todos Santos), one area in particular stood out. “Montrose has always felt like one of Houston’s most interesting neighborhoods,” says Tenaya Hills, head of design at Bunkhouse Hotels JdV by Hyatt. “It’s creative, a little eccentric, and very residential, with so many seminal institutions, businesses, and people who’ve shaped its character over time. We weren’t looking to introduce something new to Montrose, we wanted to create a hotel that feels like it belongs there, rooted in the neighborhood’s creative spirit and part of the community.”
To that end, Hotel Saint Augustine sits across from the renowned Menil Collection. Like all Bunkhouse hotels, it’s named for a patron saint—one that calls to mind characteristics unique to Houston and the Montrose neighborhood. The city was cofounded by Augustus Chapman Allen, Saint Augustine grass grows in abundance in Houston, and Augustine is the patron saint of printing, a nod to the Menil Collection’s Drawing Institute.
Imagined by Texas-based architecture firm Lake Flato for the hotel, the property comprises five small two-story buildings, connected by open-air bridges. A handful of winding paths careen through the grounds, intersecting and sprawling out from a central courtyard. Ferns, oak trees, and palm plants make for lush landscaping, and tucked away in one outdoor corner is a circular pool. Bunkhouse tapped New York design firm Post Company for interiors, which are modern and elevated, but also comfortable and inviting. My king suite was marked by dark wood floors, an airy living space, and a mirrored minibar. A tufted velvet bed and cello-shaped cabinet add some personality to the bare-walled space, as do the bathroom’s marble, green tiles, and massive walk-in shower with a free-standing tub. I spent mornings having tea on the screened-in terrace.
Located in its own standalone structure is Perseid, the hotel’s main restaurant, developed by chef Aaron Bludorn and his front-of-house partner, Cherif Mbodji. “We’ve kept the menus approachable with just the right amount of nuance,” says JamieLynn Argenta, a VP on the Bunkhouse JDV by Hyatt food and beverage team. “Chef Aaron provided a fantastic culinary foundation with his blend of classic French technique and quality Gulf Coast ingredients.” Indeed. During my stay, my friends and I indulged in mushroom risotto with dollops of stracciatella and swirls of pistachio pesto; hanger steak au poivre; and breakfast fare like citrus-butter pancakes and quiche with collard greens and duck confit. By day, the restaurant is relaxed and sundrenched, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows; by night, it’s a bit livelier, with dimmed lighting and an upbeat crowd.
Across the courtyard from Perseid is the hotel’s lobby bar and listening room, Augustine Lounge. Enjoying a cocktail there “feels like a drink in your chic, artist friend’s living room,” says Tenaya Hills, Bunkhouse Hotels JdV by Hyatt’s head of design. A mirrored bar and leather lounge chairs provide the backdrop for Drop the Needle, a weekly vinyl series in the bar’s adjoining listening room. “Music has always been key to how we create atmosphere at Bunkhouse—it’s one of the most immediate ways to set a mood and create a feeling for a place,” says Hills. The vinyl series, she adds, was born from the idea of slowing down. “Vinyl requires intention: choosing a record, listening all the way through, being present an active participant. The weekly vinyl series turns that into a shared ritual that brings locals and guests together around music, discovery, and conversation.”
Though not entirely surprising given how thoughtful the rest of the property is designed, the gift shop, located inside the reception area, is especially nice. A wall of cherry red built-in lacquered cabinets encase everything from gemstone sphere incense holders made in Peru to watercolor pencil sets. You can also buy the hotel’s custom kimo robe in jewel-tone stripes, or a bottle of Stockholm-made Stora Stuggan perfume.
I left Houston convinced that I’d found my new go-to hotel in the city, but soon learned that Bunkhouse was opening another property in the historic Heights neighborhood. Hotel Daphne started welcoming guests into its 49 rooms, Italian restaurant, and dedicated library in December. I hope to be one of them soon.