Hotel of the Week: This Striking New Houston Property Draws Inspiration from Nearby Menil Collection

Visitors planning a visit to take in the current Ronny Quevedo exhibition or marking their calendars for the upcoming presentation of works by Houston artist Francesca Fuchs, The Space Between Looking and Loving: Francesca Fuchs and the de Menil House, now have an exciting new hotel to serve as their home away from home.

Conceived by renowned Texas architecture firm Lake|Flato and design studio Post Company for Bunkhouse Hotels, the new Hotel Saint Augustine offers 71 rooms and suites across five modernist buildings.

“Montrose very much feels like the cultural center of Houston, and the de Menil campus is an integral part of that,” says Jou-Yie Chou, Partner, Post Company. “Being within walking distance of all that the Menil has to offer was certainly top of mind; we wanted to create spaces where creative people feel welcome and inspired. Bunkhouse is also known for its creative audience and support of artists and the arts. It was their idea to limit traditional ‘art’ forms, such as paintings and photography,  since the hotel is so close to a world-class collection. We embraced that direction by focusing on furniture and lighting as artistic expressions, and selected pieces with sculptural qualities that contribute to the overall design narrative.”

Intentionally crafted to conjure a residential feel, the hotel welcomes guests into a lobby outfitted in eye-catching materials like burled walnut and Calacatta Viola marble, Backlit red lacquer shelves hold a selection of custom goods, while the atmospheric public area and bar draw attention with deep blue walls and ceilings combined with dark black glazed ceramic tile.

“The bold, saturated colors are an extension of the surrealism theme found throughout the hotel—a nod to the Menil’s extensive surrealist collection,” suggests Chou, whose firm punctuated the interiors with a mix custom furnishings and vintage finds from the state’s famed Round Top antiques fair. “We wanted to evoke a kind of dreamlike state that heightens the immersive and slightly otherworldly qualities of each space.”

Guest accommodations are spread across multiple buildings on the two-acre site, while Hotel Saint Augustine’s on-site restaurant Perseid nods to Houston’s history with space exploration, offering an out-of-this-world menu of French cuisine meets Gulf Coast delicacies, conceived by popular local chef and restaurateur Aaron Bludorn. However, sure to be a tantalizing draw for both visitors and residents is the property’s Augustine Lounge and Listening Room, an all-day dining spot serving light bites and specialty cocktails surrounded by retro audio gear like a refurbished Otari MX5050 BII-2 Restored Tape Recorder, reel-to-reel player, and a record player.

“Music has always been a core element that shapes the Bunkhouse Hotels experiences, but at Hotel Saint Augustine, we wanted to bring it front and center,” says Tenaya Hills, Bunkhouse Hotels’ Senior Vice President of Design and Development. “The Listening Room feels like stepping into someone’s home—intimate, personal, designed for connection rather than just background—and both the reel-to-reel and record player were chosen to reflect that warmth and bring both a little vintage and a little bit of imperfection to a really pristine place. Reel-to-reels may be having a moment right now, but for us, it was less about following a trend and more about what felt right for the hotel, offering something tactile and real, a nod to the past that didn’t feel nostalgic.”

While the hotel offers a multitude of areas for communal gathering, it also has carved out secluded zones for quiet contemplation.

“Each space in the lobby is designed to offer something different,” suggests Hills. “The Listening Room has the ease and comfort of a living room. The ‘green room’ is a cozy nook with the best view of the courtyard fountain. The bar is layered with richness—classic yet unexpected furniture, deep textures, and an effortless mix of color and materiality that makes the whole space feel like it has always been there.”

“We especially love the main lounge just off the lobby,” notes Chou. “Facing onto an interior courtyard, it offers views of the landscape and a quiet place to relax, while still feeling connected to the hotel’s energy. The design feels contemporary, but still warm and inviting, with small details like the custom, Gilded Age-inspired travertine dining table and vintage Cassina Soriana chairs that create a sense of home. The lounge is also open to the public, so it’s a great spot for guests to take in some of the local color. Houston has a remarkable sense of community and creativity, and we wanted to reflect that by creating a space for both locals and guests to relax and feel inspired.”