The Hotel Icon is deserving of its name – a striking landmark in the heart of Houston, brimming with such neoclassical grandeur even dogs pause in admiration…

Originally established as the Union National Bank Building in 1911, the expansive reception area is dominated by the hefty safe door – you can almost hear it clunk, sealing in the megabucks of yesteryear.

The lobby opens out into the L&L bar set with cowhide barstools – stride up anytime between 2pm-7pm for Happy Hour and down a TX Mule or Maple Bourbon Smash. The adjacent Line & Lariat (aka lasso) restaurant has a menu reflecting ‘the bounty of Texas’ coast, waterways, farms and ranches’ – how about a 12 oz ribeye steak with BBQ grilled polenta or pecan-crusted sea bass with green chile mac and cheese? Of course best of all is the dog-friendly welcome…

Bodie and I felt a sense of reverence and anticipation as the elevator ascended to The Waldorf Suite, offering jaw-dropping views of downtown…

Overlooking the Beaux-Art Courthouse of 1910 I felt like a visiting dignitary while Bodie took to the teal velvet bench to state his case…

The hotel does a stellar job of mixing period details (like vintage wallpaper and old black dial telephones) with contemporary style and humor – as with this bullhead bronze and cowboy-motif rubber duck!

This is certainly a hotel where you simply want to revel in the sumptuousness of your digs, including the utterly deluxe bathroom, where you can enjoy stunning night-lit city views from your bubble-filled tub. But in amidst feeling rather important and spoiled, your dog will need a stroll and conveniently there’s a modern dog park set across from the hotel entrance at Market Square Place.

Here you can go from lasso to yassou with Niko Niko’s cafe staying open until 9pm offering real Greek coffee described as: “Black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love.” (Also served with medium love or no love, your preference.) Or from 7am on weekdays (8am weekends) you can enjoy a Gyro Breakfast Pita or Baklava French Toast with Hera’s Honey Nut Latte, all while your dog is happily sniffing around the park’s water features and sculptures.

IN CONCLUSION: We look forward to returning to discover more dog-friendly aspects to Houston (even if the freeways are a bit hair-raising) but for now we shall treasure the memory of our stay at the supremely doggie deluxe Hotel Icon and leave you with this image of its historic downtown location!

HOTEL ICON HOUSTON is part of the Marriott’s Autograph Collection

Website: http://www.hotelicon.com

Address: 220 Main St, Houston, TX 77002  Phone: 1-713-224-4266

Pet Policy: $100 cleaning fee but no weight or breed restrictions.

Parking: As with so many big cities, there is an overnight fee – $29.

NOTE: Bodie was a guest of the Hotel Icon but our review is the real deal!

FOR GREYHOUND LOVERS: Houston is home to Gulf Greyhound Park – as well as live & simulcast racing, they have beautiful Greyhounds available for adoption.