La Colombe d’Or Hotel Reopens in Houston

La Colombe d’Or Hotel has reopened in the eccentric Montrose neighborhood of Houston, Texas. The international design Rottet Studio reimagined the 32-room boutique hotel for a modern yet timeless and gracious Texas experience.

“The renovations and additions gracefully merge the history and grandeur of the mansion while modernizing the overall aesthetic. We are excited to welcome guests to the present interpretation of the historic Fondren mansion, where they will find a large collection of works by internationally acclaimed artists, a refined social scene and a cultural experience as dynamic as the mansion itself,” said Dan Zimmerman, Principal of La Colombe d’Or Hotel.

Originally built in 1923 as a residence for Houston’s Fondren family, the La Colombe d’Or Mansion was acquired in 1979 and transformed into a hotel featuring suites, a restaurant and bar, an art gallery and the notorious Le Grand Salon de la Comtesse—a Rococo ballroom outfitted in English oak, gilded-frame mirrors and chandeliers once built for French royals in the 1730s and purchased by the Zimmermans in 1995.

In a collaboration with global real estate firm Hines, the property was reimagined, and a high-rise named The Residences at La Colombe d’Or now stands adjacent to the Mansion. The result is a new destination hotel and residences with three distinctive guest experiences that deliberately contrast in architectural styles but are effortlessly connected by timeless interior design.

The Mansion, classified as a historical landmark, greets all hotel guests upon arrival with its intimate, residential scale, lush landscape, and charming front porch. Upon entry inside, the Mansion’s lower level keeps the home’s original layout but reconfigures the space for a full-service hotel experience. An intimate reception lobby, a lounge, restaurant dining room and craft cocktail bar make up most of the ground floor plan.

The second floor, accessed by a central grand staircase adorned with a collection of art, houses the Mansion’s five art-filled, one-bedroom suites ranging from 470 to 721 square feet each. Within the Mansion suites, guests will find spacious rooms outfitted with fine linens, marble bathrooms with Aesop amenities and generous seating areas to unwind from the bustling neighborhood.

Led by internationally renowned design firm Rottet Studio, the design polishes and refreshes the traditional elegance of the historic 1920’s mansion and layers in modern notes to add drama and depth to the hotel. The design revolves around the expanded restaurant and bar, which are draped in textural fabrics in warm jewel tones and patterns that create a luxurious oasis in the city.

The Tower, an addition to the estate’s property, includes 18 hotel suites on the lower level of The Residences at La Colombe d’Or and is accessed by a pass-through sculpture garden from the Mansion. With architecture by Muniz + Albin and interiors by Rottet Studio, the design creates the feel of a modern and open pavilion with flowing spaces to showcase art in a gallery like setting. Upon entering the Tower, guests are greeted by a grand corridor filled with art leading to two separate wings of guest rooms. Each private wing leads to rooms ranging from 483 to 910 square feet and features a bedroom, a bathroom with Aesop amenities and a seating area in a suite setup. Balconies can be found in many of the suites, which overlook an intimate view of the Mansion’s grounds and sculpture garden. The design palette channels calming neutral tones and textural fabrics in ivory to enhance the guest experience.

The Garden Bungalows, a collection of nine suites grouped around a charming courtyard, are situated across the street from the Tower. With interiors designed by gin design group, this experience offers guests a respite from the bustle of the city with a whimsical nod to the Mansion. Reminiscent of bohemian Parisian apartments in the mid-century, mod wallpapers, moody lounges and sculptural custom furnishings upholstered in velvets and loopy curls of mossy greens and sensuous red tones live in harmony. Designer lighting punctuates a collection of original art tastefully displayed throughout. The flats range from 840 to 1540 square feet each and feature 1 or 2 bedrooms and baths, each with a full kitchen and living room. The Garden Bungalows are ideal for guests visiting for an extended period or seeking a more private experience during their stay. Each unit has either a private patio, balcony, or interior courtyard access.

Guests of La Colombe d’Or Hotel have access to a variety of amenities at the hotel including multiple gardens, a private park, a fitness facility and pool with sprawling downtown views, a full-service restaurant and bar named Tonight & Tomorrow, in-room dining and a private collection of over 350 pieces of artwork and sculpture on display from artists including Arik Levy, Christian Rosa, Raoul Dufy, Pasquale Romanelli, Dorothy Hood, Benjamin Robert Haydon and more. A short distance from the hotel, guests will find Houston’s Museum District offering 19 museums including The Menil Collection and Museum of Fine Arts, as well as world class restaurants and night life.

“It was important for us to offer a variety of accommodation types to suit the many needs of our guests at La Colombe d’Or Hotel,” continued Zimmerman. “Paired with our central location, walkable neighborhood, hotel amenities and neighborhood attractions, guests of La Colombe d’Or can expect a very effortlessly luxurious and memorable stay at our property.” Set on two city blocks in Montrose, the property effortlessly blends the artistic and colorful character of the neighborhood with the charm of the Mansion’s past.