Texas hotels

Texas is a state that’s big and bold, epic enough to offer visitors endless possibilities. Head east and you’ll experience the charm, history, and warmth of the Deep South. Head north, and Texas opens up into vistas of the Great Plains dotted with cattle. Head west, and the vibrant mix of Tex-Mex culture springs to life in its cities, deserts, and canyons. And head south to find beaches, islands, and resorts warmed by Gulf sunshine, just waiting for the party to kick off when dusk falls.

Hotels in Texas

The range of accommodation in Texas is as vast and diverse as the Lone Star State itself. Along the coast are fabulous 5-star beach hotels with exclusive beach access and exquisite pool complexes. Head inland and you could be guest of honor at a Texas ranch hotel, complete with unforgettable riding experiences. Unparalleled opportunities for full-service luxury await at executive business hotels in Texas’ main cities, while mountain spa retreats let you relax by courtyard pools in beautiful haciendas. Or take to the desert highways for an unforgettable road trip, discovering hidden Texas inns where the welcome sign is always out.

Things to see in Texas

The one site that stands above all others is also one of the smallest. But the Alamo—the little fort where Texas suffered a famous defeat—looms large in the Texan imagination as the “Cradle of Liberty.” And while in San Antonio, it would be hard to resist a stroll along its famed Riverwalk, known for having the city’s best shopping, restaurants, and museums. Dallas marks a more tragic episode from Texan history at the Sixth Floor Museum—the shooting of President Kennedy in 1963. Best known for its big oil business, Houston reaches for the stars too, at NASA’s Space Center. On display here are landers and rockets from the Apollo space program, as well as the Space Shuttle Independence. And for those looking for the wild side of Texas, the Big Bend National Park delivers with its staggering gorges, lost mines, and 7,800-foot-tall Emory Peak.

Where to stay in Texas

One of the most exciting Texan cities to stay in is San Antonio. As well as its history, it has wonderful restaurants, lively fiestas, and a Hispanic culture that adds greatly to its romantic appeal. Austin, the state capital, is known the world over for its live music venues and festivals, and for “keeping it weird.” For a shopping extravaganza on the luxurious side, Dallas makes a great place to stay—it has more shopping malls per head than anywhere else in the U.S. A different slant on the Gulf Coast beach holiday can be found at South Padre Island, while Houston lays on the best in arts, museums, and culture.

How to get to Texas

If you’re planning to travel to Texas by airplane there are 4 major airports, each serving different parts of this huge state. Dallas-Fort Worth has the busiest airport, with a large number of domestic and international connections. There is also the George Bush Intercontinental at Houston, and the smaller airports at El Paso and San Antonio. For drivers, there are many routes into Texas on the interstate highway network, including I-20 from Louisiana to the east, and I-35 coming down from Oklahoma City, which meet in Dallas. Houston and San Antonio are linked to the Gulf Coast to the east by I-10.