La Colombe D'Or by Ken Scrudato

Inspired years ago by the namesake hotel in Provence, Stephen Zimmerman set about recreating the artist-haunt vibe of the original--ostensibly a rather difficult task in American oil baron territory. Once within this 1920's former mansion, if one carefully averts one's eyes from the chain-store reality across the road, it's not hard to imagine you're in a small inn in the South Of France. La Colombe D'or has a refined but cordial, artistic atmosphere, which is surely cultivated by Zimmerman, a passionate art collector, who eagerly chats up guests about his old favorites and his new discoveries.

The art hangs informally throughout the public rooms (he's got quite excellent taste), and the small, refined bar seems a nerve center for the local culture cognoscenti. The six large suites, naturally, have names like "Renoir" and "Degas" and are tastefully rather than extravagantly decorated with antiques and beautiful carpets, and each, marvelously, has it's own dining room-perfect for a room service splurge, as the hotel's eponymous restaurant is one of Houston's best. A true labor of love.