Bunkhouse Hotels’ First Houston Concept, Hotel Saint Augustine, Now Open in the Heart of Houston’s Montrose Neighbourhood

New Bunkhouse Hotel Arrives in Montrose

Hotel Saint Augustine, the newest boutique hotel from the acclaimed hospitality brand Bunkhouse Hotels and developer The Marchbanks Company, is officially open in Houston’s beloved Montrose neighbourhood. Dotted across 2.2 acres, the hotel features 71 hotel rooms and suites, a Gulf Coast-inspired restaurant, an event space, an all-day lobby lounge and listening room, and a circular heated pool.

Situated in the heart of the city’s art, food, and nightlife, Hotel Saint Augustine marks the debut hotel of the Bunkhouse brand in Houston. True to the brand’s convention of naming hotels after patron saints, the name of Hotel Saint Augustine is influenced by various connections—ink with its nearness to the Menil Drawing Institute, Augustus Chapman Allen, one of Houston’s co-founders, the plentiful Saint Augustine grass throughout the area, and a tribute to August, evoking memories of warm, hazy late summer days.

“Adding a Bunkhouse hotel in Houston has been our team’s dream for a long time,” said Amar Lalvani, who recently took on the role of President and Creative Director, Lifestyle, Hyatt after leading The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands for the past decade. “Houston is an underappreciated capital of culinary, culture, art, and design, which are all core to the Bunkhouse mission. We can’t wait to become a part of such a rich and diverse local community and introduce new visitors to a city we love.”

Post Company, a design studio located in New York and Wyoming, led the interior design efforts to create a welcoming retreat that surprises and delights with hints of subtle surrealism, partnering with Bunkhouse Hotels. This design honours Houston’s rich artistic legacy, shaped by the essence of the museum district and the city itself. It leads to a style that reflects Bunkhouse’s approach while celebrating the area's vibrant culture. While Hotel Saint Augustine is not directly connected to the Menil Collection, one of the nation’s premier art institutions, it aims to embody the ethos of the Menil family and the museum, drawing inspiration from the museum's collection and the spirit of Houston. To enhance the hotel’s relationship with the Menil Collection campus, the artwork displayed throughout the property has been intentionally kept minimal, creating a serene atmosphere through meticulous furniture, textures, lighting, objects, and landscaping choices.

The lobby is accessed along Loretto Drive through a charming entry courtyard within the main building. It is designed to resemble a curator’s private residence, like a layered living room adorned with rich interiors and vibrant colours. The reception desk features a wrapping of burled walnut complemented by Calacatta Viola marble accents. Dramatic sheer linen drapery separates the adjacent open parlours and seating areas, forming cosy nooks for daily gatherings. The lobby and bar's deep blue walls and ceilings enhance the feeling of otherworldliness, creating an immersive, moody atmosphere. Large, framed windows allow glimpses of the courtyard and screened porches, inviting the outdoors inside. At the bar, antique mirror panels reflect the scenic surroundings. At the same time, a listening room, equipped with a refurbished Otari MX5050 BII-2 Restored Tape Recorder and a record player, ensures a continuous stream of music, with plans for unique activations ahead.

The hotel's restaurant is led by notable partners: renowned Houston chef and restaurateur Aaron Bludorn and Bludorn's Director of Operations, Cherif Mbodji. Together, they have launched three successful restaurants in Houston, including Bludorn—a semifinalist in the 2024 James Beard Awards and recently listed by the Michelin Guide—Navy Blue and their latest venture, Bar Bludorn.

Perseid (pronounced per-see-id), the hotel’s premier all-day dining venue, reimagines the classic neighbourhood bistro, showcasing a menu highlighting the varied global influences on Houston’s culinary scene. The cuisine skillfully marries Texas Gulf Coast flavours with French-inspired elements, merging refined comfort with traditional cooking techniques while delivering bold, unique tastes. For beverages, guests can enjoy a seasonal selection of classic and inventive cocktails, each named after notable figures from Houston and the Montrose area, traditional French wines from artisanal producers, and a diverse array of wines from family-owned vineyards worldwide. The restaurant’s interiors are vibrant, reflecting the surrealist theme that pervades the entire property. Ombre-dipped walls and hand-painted abstract murals create an intimate atmosphere throughout the space. An eclectic assortment of furnishings, including custom Art Deco-style pendants, adorns the crafted ceiling, perfecting the setting.

Houstonians and hotel guests alike can also enjoy the day-to-night concept, Augustine Lounge and Listening Room, situated within the hotel’s lobby in the main building. Serving breakfast and an all-day menu alongside a full bar, visitors can expect sweet and savoury options to start their day, in addition to a handful of sharable bites, sandwiches, and desserts. The bar's cocktails coincide with a draft beer and wine selection, including non-alcoholic options. Additionally, Saint Augustine’s flexible event space on top of Perseid is designed to accommodate grand and intimate events for up to 250 guests, with porches overlooking the courtyard and pool and a food and beverage program from the Bludorn team.

Across multiple buildings, Saint Augustine features 71 varied room types, from 200-sq-ft “Petite Queen” rooms to “Atelier” suites complete with private outdoor living space, ensuring that local art and culture are accessible for all. The suites and guest rooms boast playful furnishings and finish details, lending a surrealist edge to the composed décor. Monochromatic blue, deep red, sage, and mustard hues envelop each bed with ceramic wall tiles to emphasize an accurate colour study. At the same time, drapes and velvet textures add indulgence to the space. Oversized, sculptural lighting and surrealist fixtures, such as the amoebic-shaped wall mirrors, disrupt the expected proportions of the space, and nickel and chrome finishes add moments of modern texture.

“We are thrilled to join the Houston community, and more specifically, the Montrose neighborhood, as we open the doors to Hotel Saint Augustine,” said Omar Abreu, General Manager of Hotel Saint Augustine.

“Montrose’s rich cultural history, unique and welcoming charm, and its proximity to multiple beloved art institutions make it a destination for locals and travellers alike.”

Designed by the acclaimed Texas firm Lake|Flato and complemented by the esteemed landscape architecture of Ten Eyck, this indoor/outdoor hotel features five small two-story buildings that harmoniously blend with the local residential ambience. These buildings are interspersed with four beautifully landscaped courtyards and meandering outdoor pathways adorned with compatible plant species, such as mature heritage oak trees, eyelash sage, dwarf rock palm, and blue rabbit’s foot fern. Open-air bridges and porches connect each building, fostering a residential atmosphere. At the same time, the grey elongated brick and combed wood siding echo the area’s vibrant natural surroundings, which are a central aspect of the design. Hotel Saint Augustine ensures strong ties to the Montrose neighbourhood through various entry points across the city block.

“For over 20 years, people have been talking to me about the need for a hotel in the Museum District. Not just any hotel—they wanted it to be the right one: a property at the correct scale with a commitment to seamlessly blending into the neighbourhood both aesthetically and by offering public spaces where local Houstonians want to gather,” said Greg Marchbanks, CEO, The Marchbanks Company. 

“The entire team on this project thought deeply about these objectives and how they manifest in every part of the experience right from the beginning, and I feel that we hit the mark with Hotel Saint Augustine.” 

As Bunkhouse Hotels broadens its brand across Texas and further, Hotel Saint Augustine is committed to embodying Bunkhouse Hotels’ mission of fostering community-oriented experiences. The venue will honour Houston’s legacy of surprising combinations and innovative culture by engaging in programming and collaborations. This year, Bunkhouse Hotels will further its footprint in Houston by launching Hotel Daphne in the historic Houston Heights area and introducing the first Jo’s Coffee outside of Austin.  

Starting rates from $429/night.