Why Hotel Saint Augustine Is Houston’s Most Stylish New Stay

Featured Travel

February 4, 2025

Kacey Perez

Houston’s Montrose neighborhood has long been a cultural gem, a dynamic mix of artistic institutions, historic architecture, and forward-thinking hospitality. Now, with the opening of Hotel Saint Augustine, travelers and design aficionados have a new reason to check in—and check out the city’s creative pulse.

The latest property from Bunkhouse Hotels, Hotel Saint Augustine is an experience in nuanced hospitality, bringing together architecture, design, and culinary excellence in a setting that feels both intimate and effortlessly stylish. Designed by the renowned Lake|Flato Architects in collaboration with Brooklyn-and Jackson-based Post Company, the hotel is an exercise in quiet luxury—an architectural statement that blends seamlessly into its surroundings while offering an atmosphere of curated indulgence.

A view of Hotel Saint Augustine’s exterior showcasing its modern architecture, lush landscaping, and inviting courtyard spaces.
Photography by Julie Soefer.

A Hotel That Feels Like Home—If Home Was This Well Designed

Rather than the monolithic presence of a typical hotel, Hotel Saint Augustine unfolds as a collection of five small-scale buildings, each thoughtfully arranged around landscaped courtyards and winding outdoor paths. This intentional layout, inspired by the serene aesthetic of the nearby Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, creates a sense of discovery and tranquility—an invitation to slow down and engage with the space.

“The design team’s goal was to craft a succession of buildings ordered around four courtyards, so that the guest experience is one of being immersed in an inviting garden,” explains David Lake, Founding Partner at Lake|Flato. “The architecture is very quiet in spirit, allowing nature to take center stage.”

Gray elongated brick and combed wood siding mirror the muted elegance of the Menil Collection’s design, while covered walkways, open-air bridges, and abundant windows connect guests to the outdoors at every turn. Whether you’re lounging in the hotel’s intimate lobby, strolling to the pool, or enjoying a morning coffee on your private balcony, the experience feels immersive—like a natural extension of Montrose’s vibrant yet refined character.

A nighttime view of the hotel’s courtyard, illuminated to highlight the landscaped paths and architectural details.
Photography by Julie Soefer.

Interiors That Honor Houston’s Artful Legacy

Bunkhouse Hotels is known for its effortlessly cool, deeply considered interiors, and Hotel Saint Augustine is no exception. Designed by Post Company in collaboration with Bunkhouse, the interiors take cues from Houston’s rich artistic heritage, blending modernist simplicity with playful surrealist elements.

Guest rooms feature dark ebonized oak flooring contrasted with sumptuous velvets in rich hues of terracotta, deep blue, and sage green. Sculptural lighting and chrome accents add moments of unexpected texture, while the bathrooms are immersive tonal experiences—completely enveloped in either cinnabar red or a muted sage, with color-matched ceramic tiles and marble floors lending a dramatic, gallery-like quality.

The hotel’s lobby is designed to feel like a collector’s private home—an elegant but welcoming space with adjacent parlors, backlit retail shelving, and a reception desk wrapped in burled walnut and Calacatta Viola marble. Soft, theatrical drapery divides the lounge from the bar, offering a sense of intimacy without closing off the space.

The hotel’s elegant lobby designed to resemble a collector’s private home, with burled walnut reception desk, Calacatta Viola marble accents, and soft theatrical drapery.
Photography by Julie Soefer.

Perseid: A Culinary Destination in Its Own Right

At the heart of the hotel’s central courtyard lies Perseid, an all-day eatery helmed by renowned Houston chef Aaron Bludorn. The space is a study in atmospheric dining—warm yellow walls reminiscent of French butter, golden ombré drapery, and custom surrealist-inspired lighting that playfully engages the eye. A sculptural abstract mural above the bar adds further depth and warmth, while oversized planters bring the lushness of the outdoors inside.

Beyond aesthetics, Perseid is set to become a culinary destination in its own right, offering a menu rooted in seasonality and Houston’s diverse culinary influences. Whether you’re staying at the hotel or simply passing through, the restaurant is a must-visit for both guests and locals alike.

Interior of Perseid, the hotel’s all-day eatery, featuring warm yellow walls, golden ombré drapery, and custom surrealist-inspired lighting.
Photography by Nicole Franzen.
Photography by Julie Soefer.

An Invitation to Experience Montrose Differently at Hotel Saint Augustine

While Hotel Saint Augustine offers all the trappings of an exceptional stay—luxurious accommodations, inspired design, and destination-worthy dining—it’s also deeply connected to its surroundings. Guests will find themselves steps away from some of Houston’s most revered cultural institutions, including the Menil Collection, Cy Twombly Gallery, and Rothko Chapel. Meanwhile, the hotel’s thoughtful layout—featuring ground-floor rooms with direct neighborhood access and upper-level suites with sweeping courtyard views—ensures that Montrose itself remains part of the guest experience.

As Jou-Yie Chou, Partner at Post Company, puts it: “The Hotel Saint Augustine has a contemporary taste and style of its own, while still upholding the city’s eclectic history and legacy. It is a destination for guests and locals alike to mingle, engage, and experience the space as their own.”

For travelers seeking a refined yet approachable stay in Houston, Hotel Saint Augustine is the place to check in, settle in, and let the city unfold around you.

A stylish guest room at the Hotel Saint Augustine featuring dark ebonized oak flooring, rich terracotta velvet furnishings, and a tonal cinnabar red bathroom.
Photography by Julie Soefer.
A spacious suite’s living area at Hotel Saint Augusine with deep blue velvet seating, sculptural lighting fixtures, and large windows overlooking the courtyard.
Photography by Nicole Franzen.

Credits:

Written by Kacey Perez | @studioblume_

Photography by Julie Soefer and Nicole Franzen.