Recently in Texas Category

SPG's "Passport to Free Weekends" scavenger hunt galloped into Texas on Friday, May 21, where it was revealed that the new eco-friendly Element Houston Vintage Park was the mystery hotel of the day. Travelers following clues on SPG's Twitter and Facebook pages raced to this award-winning "green" hotel for the opportunity to win a Free Weekend.

Jennifer (featured here) was one of the 10 lucky winners to ask for her "Free Weekends Passport Photo" at the Element Houston Vintage Park and won two Free Weekend Nights to her choice of over 920 hotels.

Located in an upscale retail and lifestyle center in the city's Northwest district, and built green from the ground up, the Element Houston is convenient to scores of shops, galleries, theaters, and restaurants and is a short drive from attractions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts. But you'll find plenty to keep you occupied at the hotel as well. Keep cool under the Texas sun in the outdoor swimming pool, or lose yourself in a book on the accompanying patio. Give your muscles a workout at Motion: Fitness Center, or, after a day of sightseeing, take a break and join the Relax: Evening Reception, with hand-selected regional wines and beers thoughtfully paired with enticing appetizers.

There's no shortage of great restaurants in the Vintage Park complex, and if you're looking for a bite in the hotel, Restore: Gourmet Pantry offers healthy options and indulgent treats in a grab-and-go format. Rise: Breakfast Bar will help you start the day feeling great, with hot breakfast sandwiches, refreshing smoothies, fresh fruit, gourmet coffee, and more.

To participate in the Passport to Free Weekends contest through May 25th, either "like" Starwood Preferred Guest on Facebook, or follow @spginsider on Twitter to receive a series of clues that point you toward the mystery property of the day. If you're one of the first ten to arrive, you'll win a pair of Free Weekend Night Awards that can be redeemed at more than 920 Starwood hotels and resorts around the world through December 19, 2010. Or earn your own Awards in the SPG Free Weekends promotion by registering at spg.com/freeweekends through June 30.

If you're as sick of winter as we are, then Spring Break can't come soon enough. Well, now is a great time to take an early Spring Break getaway, because the Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel & Condominiums is offering a special Family Vacation on the Beach Package that will make your first dose of sunshine this year all the sweeter. Book by March 4 for stays March 5 - 28, 2010 and enjoy family-friendly perks like a deluxe ocean-view room, breakfast each day at the Beachside Bar and Grille, two bottles of water daily, free sunscreen, free internet access, one in-room movie, 50% off valet parking, and more. You can even enjoy discounted water sports at Sonny's Beach Service, including parasailing and banana boats - a perfect way to start vacation season off on a high note. This stylish destination on the south Texas shoreline boasts gorgeous beaches, breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, and the largest swimming pool in South Texas, including a swim-up bar. Spend your day searching for sea shells, playing volleyball, or sailing on the high seas. And when evening comes, retreat to the hotel's Beachside Grille, where international cuisine is served in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Rates start at just $286 per night (up to four per room) with a two-night minimum length of stay. To make a reservation, visit here or call 1-866-716-8134 and ask for rate plan SPFAM.

The brand new Westin Austin at the Domain will open its doors for the first time on March 11, 2010, and you can be among the first guests to experience this cutting-edge hotel in one of the city's premier destinations. With the Be the First package, you can enjoy rates starting at $119 a night for stays through April 8, 2010 and get a first look at this exciting new hotel. The Westin Austin at the Domain is located in the Domain business, retail, and residential center, which is home to several multinational corporations and scores of upscale shops and restaurants. Buy a new outfit at Neiman Marcus, a bag at Louis Vuitton, or something sparkly at Tiffany and Co. and then treat yourself to a glass of fine wine at Crú, one of the city's finest wine bars. But set aside some time to explore the hotel, which has all the amenities you need to be at your best. Sweat out your stresses in the WestinWORKOUT gym, splash around in the outdoor heated pool, or stay in touch with colleagues using the free high-speed internet access in public areas. And when it's time for dinner, request a table at Urban, the hotel's signature restaurant that serves contemporary American cuisine in an atmosphere of casual sophistication. Visit here and be the first to experience Austin's most dynamic new destination.

As winter begins in earnest, one's thoughts naturally drift to tropical climes, where abundant sunshine and gentle breezes restore the energy and vitality that the cold takes away. Every year, sun seekers in the continental U.S. flock to the southern coasts of Florida and California, but if you're looking for something a little bit different, venture to the southern tip of Texas. A pristine barrier island along the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with January highs of 67 degrees Fahrenheit (19 C), 253 days of sunshine a year, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It's also the home of the Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel, which happens to be one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next eight weeks. This exciting resort has everything you need to fight the winter blues. Take a walk on the beach. Go for a dip in the biggest pool in south Texas, a 6,000 square foot tropical paradise complete with waterfall and swim-up bar. Relax in the oversize Jacuzzi. Or indulge in a pampering massage treatment. And when the sun goes down, retreat to the comforts of the Beachside Bar & Grille, where international cuisine comes with a postcard view of the Gulf of Mexico. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.

Houston is a fun town to visit, with equal measures of Southwestern charm and big city culture. If it's been a while since you've visited this charming Texas metropolis, how about an autumn getaway? The Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take much to make your Western wishes come true. Located in the northwestern corner of the city, this distinguished hotel is just minutes from some of Houston's greatest attractions. Start your day with a stroll through the nearby Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a 155-acre nature sanctuary with extensive walking trails through a variety of native environments. Then, expose yourself to the Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, with works by Henri Matisse and Georges Seurat and an inspiring sculpture garden. If there's time left over in the afternoon, swing by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where a temporary collection of Terra Cotta Warriors is in its final weeks. When evening arrives, bring your appetite to the hotel's Cimarron restaurant, where Southwestern cuisine is served in an airy, welcoming atmosphere. Toast your evening at Tuxedo's Lobby Bar, and you've got a perfect Texas day. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.