Pronounced like an oilfield derrick, Hotel Derek, pays a whimsical nod to its Texas location with a full-size cow sculpture in the lobby, boldly colored art work depicting derricks and occasional pops of designer cow-print-covered furniture. The modern, boutique property recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation.

The hotel inside the 610 Loop is a short walk to the Galleria — a mega mall with 400 stores, restaurants and an indoor ice rink. Next door to Hotel Derek, a luxury residential and shopping center is under construction; the River Oaks District will introduce a slew of fashionable newcomers — Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Bonobos to name a few — to the fourth-largest city in the country.

Hotel Derek is a hip hotel and a Forbes Travel Guide 4-star property for 2015. We suspect the imaginative design and the hotel’s Les Clefs d’Or concierge, Jim Carey, influenced the outstanding rating.

Guests of the hotel can hop a ride on the complimentary shuttle offering service within a three-mile radius of the property. The outdoor pool with lounging chairs becomes a movie theater when the sun sets. During our stay, the 1966 Clint Eastwood classic The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly played.

Our fourth-floor room with views of the city and blue sky was furnished with a king-sized bed, a 100-inch-long sherbet orange sofa, flat-screen television, well-stocked minibar, coffeemaker with Starbucks products, a safe and two bathrobes. One robe was a standard plush navy blue number with a small state of Texas on the sleeve, while the other was a more daring brown and white cow pattern. Both are available for purchase, as is a pair of socks that look like cowboy boots.

When it’s time to eat, head to the hotel’s kitchen and bar, Revolve, which opened in August. The playful menu turns classic comfort foods into upscale decadence with mouth-watering presentations. Try the short rib Frito pie, inverted grilled cheese panini, truffle mac and cheese or the highly acclaimed hangover burger with hash browns, brown sugar and chile-rubbed bacon and a sunny side up egg. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and food so much we dined there twice.

The hip Hotel Derek is positioned in one of H-Town’s most desirable locations. Round up your partner and book a fun weekend getaway.

Hotel Derek

2525 West Loop S.
Houston, TX 77027
tel 713 297 4321