This chic boutique hotel dates all the way back to 1924, when it first opened its doors as the Sam Houston Hotel. It shuttered in the 1970s, had another go in the 2000s, switched names a couple of times, and then in 2013, after a redesign, the Sam Houston bounced back as good as ever. Despite its reverence for the past, The Sam— as it likes to be called—sports a cool and contemporary vibe. Rooms feature leather headboards, Herman Miller desk chairs, Keurig coffee makers, and granite bathrooms. The on-site restaurant, *17, is heralded for its seasonal, farm-to-table New American fare served in a showy dining room. The Sam Bar makes a fine spot for knocking back classic whiskey drinks or gobbling up shrimp tacos; you’ll probably spot a few baseball fans during the season (Minute Maid Park is just down the block). Downtown adventurers, as well as business travelers, will find a lot to like here.