Hotel Granduca

Groups meeting near the coast of southeastern Texas find an enclave of European refinement at Hotel Granduca Houston. Set at the doorstep of Uptown Park, a European-style shopping center, the hotel holds court at the heart of Houston’s Galleria district.

Italian-born and Houston-based, founder Giorgio Borlenghi re-created the ambience of a 16th-century grand duke’s Tuscan villa in the hotel’s 122 guest rooms and suites. Ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms, they feature kitchens, spacious bathrooms, and walk-in closets; many also offer separate living and dining quarters. While Old World elegance prevails through decorative fabrics, chandeliers, and original art, the latest technology stays close at hand, including HDTVs and Wi-Fi throughout.

Along with the residential comforts of an aristocrat come the amenities of a full-service luxury hotel: seven well-appointed meeting rooms, a business center, a fitness center, and an inviting outdoor pool. Guests meet for casual dining at the poolside patio of Il Gardino, evening cocktails at Bar Malatesta, and afternoon tea throughout the hotel. For dinner, they can savor the cuisine of northern Italy at Ristorante Cavour, which is renowned for fine dining in an authentically intimate atmosphere.

But whether groups visit for a day, a night, or a week, they feel right at home. The warm, residential environment, combined with caring personalized service, makes every stay an experience to remember.