St. Regis, Houston

A bit of convincing English pretension snugly situated on a wooded lot near the Galleria mall, the St. Regis is the suburban answer to downtown's Four Seasons. This is the kind of insulated hotel where golden harps, reproductions of Regency furniture, and massive flower arrangements look right at home, even though Target and Dunkin Donuts are just down the street. Generally, the French-inspired rooms, with striped wallpaper, cherrywood furniture, standing lamps, and live orchids, are as plush as the luxurious terrycloth robes you find in the closet.