Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Imagine a resort—or a hunting lodge—in the middle of Central Park, and you'll have an idea of life at the secluded-yet-central Houstonian, a low-rise, high-price hotel in the middle of an 18-acre pine forest ringed by glass office towers. The lodgelike tone kicks in at the start, as you set foot in the Great Room, its walls bedecked with coats of arms and flags and its massive stone fireplace recalling the Xanadu of Citizen Kane. The well-appointed guest rooms are ordinary looking, but guests are more than assured of comfort, exacting service, and discretion (President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush are frequent diners at the Houstonian's restaurant). Locals know the Houstonian mostly for its health club; it's the snazziest in town, complete with three heated outdoor swimming pools, a rock-climbing wall, boxing ring, and tennis, racquetball, and squash courts. Membership starts at $14,000 a year, but hotel guests get to use the facilities for free. The five-star service shines particularly brightly at Trellis, the soothing spa.

Room to Book: Any in the range from 63 to 75, which are poolside and offer the best access to swimming and the outdoor areas.