Deep in the heart of downtown Houston, and next to the ever-growing GreenStreet outdoor shopping center, lies the sleek Hotel Alessandra. The twenty-story, 223-room hotel just recently celebrated its’ grand opening on October 1st, and has since been an ideal hotspot for local and international travelers looking to revel in all that Houston has to offer.
I had the pleasure of staying there recently. It really is quite convenient to most of what downtown has to offer. The modern and sophisticated building stands tall and proud among the elite skyline. The front entrance to the hotel boasts an intimate valet, where the bellmen also graciously offered to help with bags and ushered me into the quaint lobby with a two-story soaring ceiling and sepia-marbled grand staircase with gold and glass handrails. I rode the elevator to the second floor, where the check-in desk awaited me. The space to me, felt like a minimalistic opulence, with marbled, gold, and mirrored accents, and cozy seating. The large Beaux Arts style photograph that rests on the back wall behind the check-in was done by Reinhard Gorner.
After a quick and painless check-in, I rode the elevator to the ninth floor. The room hallway was bright and inviting. The Beaux Arts theme continues on the gallery-white walls, which had graphite-hued panel designs throughout.
The photos of the guest rooms online honestly don’t do the rooms justice. You just have to experience it in person. I had a corner room. When I stepped inside, there was a small hallway, with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of the city. Also in that hallway was the bathroom, and in-room mini bar area. The hallway gave way to the sleeping area, where the floor-to-ceiling windows continued, allowing wonderful natural light to pour in. The bed was anchored with two Art Deco-style nightstands, both of which had outlets for charging phones, laptops, etc. Also anchoring the custom bed is a white glossy wall system that offers storage for luggage, and such. A small, yet cozy sitting area with a jade green couch, chair, and a table is nestled in one corner of the room. The classic black and white bathroom was bathed in marble and textured subway tiles. Dividing doors separated the commode, a vanity area, and a large shower with rain showerhead.
The husband and I dined at Lucienne that evening. Lucienne serves contemporary Continental cuisines that have a Mediterranean twist. Chef Jose Hernandez spearheads the operation with over 20 years of experience in some of the top eateries around the world. The open, yet somewhat narrow room with ribcage ceiling was largely inspired by a NASA space shuttle and a Viennese vaulted cafe. The curtains have a vintage feel, but upon closer inspection, the characters actually are doing modern day tasks, like taking a selfie, or holding a coffee cup, etc. Our waiter- Alvaro, was exceptionally helpful in recommending dishes. We started off with an Apple Blue Cheese Salad and a small house-baked baguette. The Mr had the Scallops with Mushroom Risotto, while I opted for the Gruyere Cheese Crepe for our main entrees. Both dishes were delicious, and just the right portions. We shared the Thin Apple Tart for dessert. After dinner, since it was ridiculously close, we ventured over to Green Street for a short after-dinner walk.
After a restful night’s sleep, we took advantage of the 24/7 in-room dining, and ordered breakfast. Instead of calling in the order, I used the tablet that was available. We shared a bowl of oatmeal with berries, brown sugar, and milk; as well as house-baked toast. I took advantage of the Nespresso machine, and made some coffee to compliment the breakfast.
I also wanted to mention that before I headed to the room, I was invited to join in on a small tour of the hotel with other local influencers, also on behalf of Pop Shop. We met up with Karena Zolner- the hotel’s spa director, who showed us the 21st-floor terrace, a conference room, Lucienne, the bar- Bardot, the spa, the glass-enclosed fitness center, and the outdoor pool. Karena also treated us to a cocktail hour at Bardot after the tour. According to the press release, the bar was modeled after the American style cocktail bars that had become popular in London during the turn of the century. It’s definitely a great spot to enjoy coffee, a light breakfast, cocktails, and more. I’m a huge fan of the floor-to-ceiling windows that gave unobstructed views of Dallas and Fannin Streets, and all that glorious natural light!
It was such a wonderful stay! I want to go back, though with more time to check out the pool, fitness center, get a complimentary ride anywhere in downtown in the Maserati, and get some spa pampering in. Also, if you happen to find yourself there, be sure to chat with Lawrence, one of the friendliest bellmen I’ve ever met!
NOTE: I received a complimentary stay in exchange for my honest opinion.
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