OOH, LA LA AT LE MÉRIDIEN |1121 WALKER
At Le Méridien, guests enjoy an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere accompanied by room views that overlook the city. Starting Thanksgiving weekend, the first floor and public areas are dressed for the holiday season. Housed within Houston's first skyscraper, Le Méridien blends contemporary styles with touches of Southern hospitality, a style that carries through in its holiday decor.

ZUTRO Restaurant and Lounge is open on-site seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner (6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.), including on holidays.

Both ZUTRO and the Z on 23 rooftop lounge offer special craft cocktails throughout the holiday season starting Nov. 1. And did we mention pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas are available at their Illy coffee bar?

Downtown deal: Celebrate in style and enjoy the art of entertaining in the heart of Houston with a La Fête by Le Méridien exclusive offer. The package includes a deluxe guest room, daily breakfast for two at ZUTRO, and one seasonal cocktail per person at ZUTRO. The offer begins Nov. 1 and is available at lemeridienhoustondowntown.com using the promo code: HOL.

Staff pick: Stop by to sample ZUTRO Restaurant and Lounge’s Chef’s Choice nightly specials, including craft cocktails and holiday-themed appetizers.

Did You Know? The building at 1121 Walker is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It claims the title of Houston's oldest skyscraper with modern architectural attributes. The 21-story building was constructed in 1952 as the Melrose Building and in 2015 was rescued and redeveloped into Le Méridien. The developer sought to restore its original 1950s vibrancy.

HANG YOUR HAT AT HOTEL ICON | 220 MAIN

Hotel Icon, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, has stunning holiday decor planned for this winter season. A brand new, 14-foot, LED-lit tree will be the focal point of the hotel’s opulent lobby.

A nod to its first life as the Union National Bank of Houston built in 1911, Hotel Icon still prominently features the bank's original vault on display in its lobby. Also notable is the in-depth period detail and impressive architectural features, including Grecian columns and a likeness of the Greek God Hermes. With its historic exterior and classic-contemporary finishings, the hotel boasts blue chip hospitality and offers 135 guest rooms styled with a blend of local charm and upscale glamour.

The wrap-around L&L Bar is located in the center of the hotel’s historic lobby and serves regional draught beers, an extensive wine list and a mixologist-curated house cocktail list. Guests can also enjoy room service from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Insta-worthy offerings: Hotel Icon borders Downtown’s historic Market Square Park and offers nine signature penthouse suites, including a two-story presidential suite—the only triplex suite in Houston. 

Staff pick: Hotel Icon is the place to be for annual executive holiday parties! Also, guests should be sure to check out the hotel’s Beauty and Beyond Spa, which offers massages, facials and relaxation packages.

WINTER WOW AT HILTON AMERICAS| 1600 LAMAR

The chic holiday decor at Hilton Americas is sure to dazzle, with more than 80,000 sparkling lights and 14-foot champagne trees illuminated with 10,000 to 15,000 mini lights. Festive wreaths adorn the windows and lit garland arrangements line the registration desks. The ambiance is complete with cheerful holiday music welcoming guests into the warm glow of the lobby.

Holiday hotel guests can dine at four on-site restaurants and eateries: 1600 Bar + Grille, Lobby Bar, Pappasito’s Cantina, and Starbucks. Hilton Americas offers a special Thanksgiving brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as a pre-fixe dinner on Christmas Eve, pre-fixe breakfast on Christmas Day, and pre-fixe dinner for New Year’s Eve.

To top it off, beginning Dec. 4, every Saturday and Sunday in December families can enjoy Breakfast with Santa at 1600 Bar + Grille from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

Hanukkah in Houston: The hotel celebrates Hanukkah from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 with the lighting of a menorah in the main lobby area. Hilton Americas staff looks forward to welcoming all of Houston’s guests this holiday season.

A chocolate-lover’s dream: Hilton Americas’ iconic chocolate display is back and better than ever. This year’s theme is the classic holiday tale The Nutcracker. The chocolate scene depicts the young girl, Clara, befriending a heroic nutcracker who comes to life on Christmas Eve and battles the evil Mouse King.

Downtown deals: ‘Tis the Season. The hotel is offering a limited-time ‘Tis The Season package, which includes parking, one ticket to the ice skating rink at Discovery Green, and a holiday treat upon check-in. Use the promo code: P9.

Staff pick: Be sure to take a dip in Hilton America’s world-class indoor infinity pool with breathtaking city views from the 23rd floor.

Worth its weight in ... chocolate! The massive display at Hilton Americas uses a whopping 1,350 pounds of dark chocolate, 850 pounds of white chocolate, 700 pounds of gingerbread, 560 whole eggs, 500 pounds of butter and 350 pounds of icing. Talk about a Texas-sized masterpiece! The entirely edible display weighs in at over two tons of chocolate — that’s around 6.5 million calories. Pastry Chef Mahesh Weerasinghe and his pastry team, along with the hotel’s property management and operations team, plan to log over 2,500 hours creating this holiday pièce de résistance.

ARTS & CULTURE AT THE LANCASTER HOTEL | 701 TEXAS

Celebrating its 95th anniversary, the Lancaster Hotel opened in November of 1926 and welcomes guests to charming upscale suites overlooking the Theater District and the Downtown Aquarium. Frequently hosting professional groups on tour at the Alley Theatre, Wortham Center, and Jones Hall, this ‘20s era boutique hotel is styled with an impressive contemporary art collection including more than 200 pieces from Texas artists.

This year, the hotel has nine-foot holiday trees staged above the front entrance, flanked by wreaths installed over the lobby windows facing Texas and Louisiana streets. Inside the lobby, Lancaster Hotel visitors enjoy decorated trees and festive music throughout the season to get into the holiday spirit.

The Lancaster’s restaurant, Cultivated F+B, is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers lunch and dinner specials. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, however it remains open on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Hotel guests will still be served a complimentary breakfast on the mezzanine when the restaurant is closed.

Staff pick: Don’t skip the weekend brunch menu, available every Saturday and Sunday. It’s a real treat.

Downtown deals: This season guests receive a special holiday package that includes a hot toddy kit, a decorative stocking filled with candy, and festive flavored Nespresso pods. Book directly at thelancaster.com to receive 15 percent off of in-restaurant food and beverage purchases throughout your stay.

A piece of Houston history: This lavish-but-intimate two-story hotel includes just 93 rooms with nine suites and is the longest continually operated hotel in Houston. It was added as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1984, known formerly as the Auditorium Hotel in reference to its location in the Theater District. It was designed by architect Joseph Finger, who also designed Houston’s City Hall.

FESTIVE FUN AT MARRIOTT MARQUIS | 1777 WALKER

Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis is back for the second year in a row, open from Nov. 11 until Jan. 3. This interactive light experience takes place nightly at Altitude Rooftop & Pool on the 6th floor from 5-10 p.m. Guests are invited to explore light displays, walk-through experiences, and endless selfie stations under a dusting of artificial snowfall—all poolside, because, this is Texas. (Don’t worry, the hotel keeps the lazy river heated to a toasty 80 degrees all winter long.)

High Dive, Marriott Marquis’ poolside bar and grill, offers a special menu for Texas Winter Lights, including a variety of shareable favorites and an assortment of unique desserts. High Dive also serves signature cocktails and has partnered with the local roasters at Greenway Coffee to create the specialty blend featured in their Irish coffee.

Cueva, the hotel’s lobby bar, features classic cocktails with a winter flair—all your favorites with a fun holiday twist. Meanwhile, Walker Street Kitchen offers flavored mimosas, Irish coffees, and spicy Bloody Marys for breakfast and brunch.

Downtown deals: Best rates of the season. Book your holiday getaway in advance for the best rates of the season plus access to our exclusive Texas Winter Lights event at Altitude Rooftop & Pool. Book online at MarriottMarquisHouston.com with promo code: HOL. 

Staff pick: During December, Marriott Marquis invites guests to cozy up with a nostalgic holiday-themed movie every Thursday evening (showings at 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.).

See the sights at Texas Winter Lights: Marriott Marquis’ must-see holiday activations plus its iconic pool deck and Texas-shaped lazy river will give your Instagram feed FOMO. With over 20 new social media-worthy elements, guests enjoy festive photo-ops as they walk under the lights, through the grove of trees, among the archway of lanterns and more. Follow @themarquishou for highlights of new programming and festive experiences, and be sure to tag the hotel in your photos!

CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT C. BALDWIN HOTEL | 400 DALLAS

Winner of CVENT’s Best Hotel Renovation 2020 and Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Award 2020, the C. Baldwin Hotel is housed in  Allen Center. Its holiday décor is crisp and classic, accompanied by a full slate of seasonal offerings.

Reopening after an 18-month closure, C. Baldwin’s restaurant, Rosalie Italian Soul, is thrilled for guests to dive into new holiday offerings. They’ll be serving festive libations like Naughty or Spiced, Mrs. Claus's Cosmo, Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer and Santa-gria Brandy.

Rosalie offers a special Thanksgiving menu Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Nov. 26 from 5-10 p.m. The restaurant also offers a New Year's Eve menu on from 5-10 p.m. Guests can keep the party going at the Lobby Bar, open until 1 a.m. with a live DJ.

Downtown Deals: All wrapped up, this package includes overnight accommodation, a holiday-inspired welcome cocktail, chauffeured car service to nearby shopping, gift wrapping services and a $50 FedEx credit to ship packages.

The Nutcracker: The perfect night out on the town—overnight accommodation with in-room champagne, two orchestra seat tickets to The Nutcracker by the Houston Ballet, pre- or post-ballet dinner at Rosalie, plus chauffeured car service to Wortham Center.

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus: The hotel is welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9-11 a.m. for photos and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Afterward, enjoy breakfast with the family including a hot cocoa station and mimosas for Mom and Dad. The C. Baldwin culinary team will also have a cookie decorating session for guests.

What’s in a name? The C. Baldwin Hotel is named after Charlotte Baldwin, a.k.a. the Mother of Houston. Baldwin was the wife of Augustus Chapman Allen—one of the Allen Brothers who founded Houston. But it was Baldwin’s inheritance money that was used to finance the whole endeavor. At the time she received little credit or recognition for the large role she played in Houston’s origins. Allen died on Aug. 3, 1895 at the age of 90 and is buried in Houston. In 2009, the Texas State Historical Association commemorated her grave site with a historical plaque