Generally, it’s not a compliment to say that a home looks like a museum. And yet, this mansion hotel in the heart of Houston’s storied Museum Quarter could take its place among the district’s most sought after art galleries. A boutique hideaway, La Colombe d’Or, steps from The Menil Collection and The Rothko Chapel, displays its some 425 art pieces and masterworks as cannily as any of the quarter’s 19-plus various museums and cultural centers. Cosseting and intimate, the urban retreat draws visitors who travel to Houston as much for the metropolis’ art scene as for its renowned gastronomy and shopping. An ideal base for attending theater productions or visiting world class destinations such as the Museum of Fine Arts, (a trove of some 70,000 works of art that range from antiquities to contemporary creations), Houston’s La Colombe d’Or was inspired by the legendary hotel of the same name in southern France’s charming hill town, Saint-Paul de Vence. Ensconced first in a 1923-era landmark home, the hotel has expanded to span nearly two city blocks, punctuated by green spaces and a contemporary 34-story luxury tower. Like the art that enlivens it, the haven’s architecture celebrates both old and new, offering three styles of guest experiences, including the classic mansion, cozy garden bungalows and au courant tower rooms. Choose from 32 nonpareil suites, five of which in the mansion are named for a beloved French artists, such as Renoir and Monet. Allow plenty of time to peruse La Colombe d’Or’s in-house collection, generously shared by owners, Steve and Dan Zimmerman, in common areas and in guest rooms. Further delve into French art d’vivre at the posh art deco-esque bistro, Today & Tomorrow, and snack and sip at Bar No 3, an elevated hangout popular with locals. Between museum hopping, cool off in the rooftop pool or work it all off in the state-of-the-art fitness room. lacolombedor.com
