Fodor's Expert Review Commodore Perry Estate

Tucked on the edge of the quaint Hyde Park neighborhood, just north of campus and downtown, the 1928 Commodore Perry mansion has been renovated to Italianate-style perfection and is now this upscale boutique hotel in the Auberge Resorts Collection. A stone wall and immaculately landscaped grounds (strewn with the estate's trademark antique roses) separate the austere three-story mansion from the immediately lackluster intersection of Red River and 41st Streets. (The Hancock Center across the street, however, is convenient for essential needs like H-E-B or Jo's Coffee.) But the Commodore's insular luxury extends from the courtyard lounges and private terraces to the glamorous Texas-meets-European-classic interiors and exclusive, members-only atmosphere (locals can pay an annual membership fee to access the grounds, outdoor pool, and weekend fitness classes alongside hotel guests). Situated on an unassuming sprawl of 10 acres, the historic property achieves an idyllic, private countryside feel despite being minutes from downtown. The on-site restaurant, Lutie's, is one of the most critically acclaimed in the city.