If you have never been to a Bed and Breakfast, when you hear the term, what comes to mind? Do you picture a Mrs. Clause – type matron clucking around a homey kitchen? Maybe a slightly dusty relic of a home? Do you envision a homey location filled with chintz and other, dare I say “dated” décor?Or maybe a cottage located far from civilization with nothing but greenery and your thoughts to keep you company? I am the first person who will say that prior to this experience I didn’t know what to expect.
What if I told you I stayed at a place that had all the authentic elements of a bed and breakfast with more.
What is more?
How about curated pieces of furniture and art from around the world? Bespoke linens and rich fabrics in each room,and a farm-to- table food concept,individualized to each guest’s dietary needs.
A Mrs. Claus type inn-owner? Nope, how about a jet-setting uber cultured property owner who has preserved a historical (original construction 1908) home and made it into an elegant, inviting space.
Oh, and its located in one of the coolest parts of town.
Welcome to Uphouse Manor: The Bed and Breakfast Experience with More
All Great Stories Have to Start Somewhere
I was heading home
No, not LA home, but hometown home. Houston. I was scheduled to be on working set for a commercial so I figured I would also use the time to explore my city with a fresh pair of eyes for our blog.
Usually when I head home, I stay with family, not this time. I wanted to have a hospitality experience that was out of my personal comfort zone but still enjoyable.
Hotel? Nah…
Its Houston and I want something that reflects home…only more. There’s that dang word again. More. Honestly, isn’t that what we look for when we travel? Even if it’s a business trip, we look for more efficiency in our hotels and transport, more connectivity, so why should a boutique stay be any different. I decided to look into boutique properties and stumbled upon Uphouse Manor.
The Booking Process: They had me at Hello
After reading some amazing Yelp reviews and looking at their site, I was sold; THIS was where I wanted to stay.
Once my booking was confirmed with the location I was extremely impressed with the constant communication from the property. From the booking confirmation to an email asking about my dietary restrictions, I was already in love with the location and I hadn’t even boarded my flight.
Gestures like this are what separate a good experience from an exceptional one.
I also received an email asking me my preference for what TIME I would like my breakfast served as well as WHERE on the property I would like to eat.
I was a little worried because I was after all, staying in someone’s home.
I emailed back to the innkeeper with my flight information and let the her know that I would be getting in late (around midnight).
I wouldn’t want anyone to be waiting up for me or inconvenience anyone if it was avoidable.
They had a solution for this as well… every guest gets a personal code to enter into the door and it locks automatically. Ahh the times when technology really is amazing.
Holy moly, I was floored.
I’m not sure if this is a standard practice for all B&B’s but I was super impressed.
Little did I know this trip would introduce me to a part of the city that I had never explored and would have me itching to go back.
First Impressions: and a funny (ish) story
After a long day of travel, I pulled up tired and a little worried about the next day. I stopped in front of this imposing structure and thought “this is a beautiful place even at night, its massive, its late, and I hope I don’t wake anyone up with my less than delicate footsteps”
I used the code to enter into the house and climbed the stairs to my designated room.
I was upgraded to the room named The Attic, Apartment (translation:penthouse) I was extremely spoiled by the property and I was very grateful for the upgrade.
And now its time for that story I mentioned….
ts almost embaressing for me to admit. But what the heck, its 2020 and I can be a strong, assertive, boss babe and still have a phobia.. yes, its true..
I am a scaredy cat
I can’t watch horror films, I can’t even watch previews for horrors or thrillers, I can’t hear ghost stories, and the list goes on.
I am a big wuss.
Why is this relevant to this blog post?
Well… I’m getting to that, the upgraded room that I was given had an open layout in which there was no door separating the bed from the rest of the space.
My overactive imagination came to life and I literally slept with ALL the lights (1100 sq ft worth), as well my extremely amused husband on Facetime.
In Aamir’s words “This is why you should travel with me, you can’t handle nice things alone” Not true, but I wasn’t about the argue with the only person keeping me sane at 2 am. (There is a comprehensive overview of this truly fabulous room below)
Story Time is Over.. Back to Reviewing this Magical Place
I got through the night and the next morning at 7 am (as per my request) I received a text from the innkeeper Olivia (Olivia is NOT your typical innkeeper, she’s young, hip and has a super cool artsy vibe) saying my breakfast was at the door.
I was impressed with the punctuality and attention to detail even though it was early morning.
My breakfast was an experience
It was presented beautifully and all the ingredients were high quality and the taste was out of this world. The French press coffee was a welcomed wake up seeing as I had a long day ahead.
I ended up inhaling the yogurt parfait and decided that for the next 2 days that was going to be my breakfast of choice.
Meeting the Face behind the Magic
Back from my morning of filming I entered the home and met Katrina Stilwell, the owner and curator of The Uphouse Manor. Man o man, after 10 min of conversation I felt as if I was chatting with a long lost friend.
I laughingly told her about my previous night and my scaredy cat brain, and she promptly changed my room to one that was not soo large, but was just as nice.
The more I learned about the Katrina, the more the entire vibe of the property made sense.
I fell in love with Katrina’s love for art, architecture and global cultures; which were evident all over the property.
She has made it a point to use the very best fabrics in the guest rooms, because she understands that many people don’t get to experience this type of luxury in their everyday lives.
I innocently asked her if she had a preferred designer, and she laughed and said “Me”
Can We Talk about the Rooms?
In line with luxury boutique hotels, each room at Uphouse has a theme and is furnished accordingly. It was nice to see the thought and attention to detail that Katrina has put into decorating each room.
Since I was fortunate enough to stay in 2 rooms (yeah yeah go ahead and laugh at me) I wanted to talk about them both individually, because its 2020 and we are unique and our rooms should be too!
The Attic Apartment
To call this space a room is an insult to the 1100, yes 1100 sq feet of personal living space that you get.
It was massive
Complete with its own living room, dining area, kitchenette, walk in closet, and linen closet.
There are people in Los Angeles and New York that live in apartments that are smaller than this stunning area.
The overall décor was country chic and I absolutely LOVED the barn doors behind the bed.
When I asked Katrina about the living space, she said often when she has design clients (did I mention that people come to her for her aesthetics and design consultations?) that are in the middle of a renovation, this space is perfect for them because it has the amenities for someone who may be staying for more than a few days.
Because I was awake earlier than usual, I was able to enjoy the natural light that flows in from all the windows and relax on the super comfy window nook.
Bliss… okay now it was time to go into a smaller room because as mentioned above…
scaredy cat Sophie right here
The London Fog
Soo,you may be laughing at me because I left a massive room and opted for something smaller.
Ha Ha jokes on you!!! The London Fog was smaller in size but was not short on amenities and comfort.
I think that is the true sign of a great property, where every guest has a great time and is getting an amazing experience no matter what room, you choose.
This room not only had a bed, desk, arm chair and roomy closet, it had the vibe that gave it a feeling of having something, MORE,
The feature that I fell in LOVE with in this room was the free-standing tub.
If Aamir is a self-proclaimed bathroom snob, I am a bathtub connoisseur.
I love baths
There is nothing more luxurious and relaxing than being able to submerge in a hot bath. This tub was the Rolls Royce of tubs for me. It was deep, with good pressure (a must), plenty of hot water, and enough space to really sink in.
I love the décor and colors used in this room with all soft hues that are inviting and instantly calms whoever is lucky enough to stay here.
The Manor and the Heights
One of the main attractions of a B&B is that there are plenty of common areas for you to sit and relax.
Often in hotels you are limited to the reception area and maybe a few scattered chairs, all of which have a “fish-bowl” and steril feel. Not somwhere I want to be lazy and relax.
Uphouse had many nooks and seating areas where guests are encouraged to sit, relax, read a book or enjoy a cup of coffee. You could find a nece spot in one of the cozy rooms, indoors, out on the porch or evenon the lawn or deck.
With my love of color,I automatically gravitated towards a beautiful rich yellow single chaise that was in the dining room.
Want a cup of tea? Easy. All the utensils and amenities are there for guest to use and enjoy.
The Heights
The Neighborhood that made me fall in love with Houston- All over again.
Oh My God
The Heights…Where was I for the eighteen years I LIVED in Houston? Not here! I wish I would have known about this pocket of creativity and culture when I was growing up.
This neighborhood was a revelation. A throwback to what communities ideally should be.
Where the neighbors know each other and when you walk into a shop the shop owner lives a walking distance from their store. It was magical and absolutely picturesque.
Final Thoughts
I am absolutely thrilled that THIS was my first B&B experience. It was great to have the benefit of home comforts but the freedom you have when you stay at a hotel.
Uphouse has set the standard for what I will always expect in terms of service for my next stay at a B&B. What I really want to thankKatrina and Uphouse for is introducing me to a part of my hometown that was unkown to me and truly is magical.
I was given a glimpse at a part of the city that for years, I complacently thought I had thoroughly explored.
My takeaway: a bed and breakfast is an ideal choice for the traveler that wants… more
If you want to know more about The Uphouse Manor and book your stay, Check out their site here
or if you’re more of a Socal person, follow them non:
Instagram @uphousemanor
Facebook @uphousemanor
Read their Yelp Reviews here
60 Comments
Looks like a gorgeous hotel! I would be in love with the free standing bath tub as well!
It was a luxury for sure! I didn’t want to leave 🙂
What a lovely home and manor. Sorry you had a rough/scary first night, but your story made me laugh!! Thanks for the information and review!
LOL Im glad I can laugh about it now, it was a doozy. Im glad you enjoyed the article
Wow! What a find. I love bed & breakfasts. They always are so homey and offer great quality linens and excellent breakfasts. I would love to try this place when I find myself in Houston.
It was an experience! My first but yes, Bed & Breakfast are lovely
Wow! I’ve seen a lot of accommodations but this bed and breakfast is the one to beat. I can’t believe how airy, light and plain fantastic the attic apartment is! How did they manage to let in so much light into the room?
It really was amazing! The owner really worked hard to use the space and really bring tonns of light into the space. Im glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I love the homey feel that B&B’s have! This one looks marvelous. And the food looks yummy 🙂
I was great! It really felt like a home away from home. 🙂
This place seems cozy and luxurious! I love it! I just spent a weekend in Houston about a month ago! I would have loved to check it out!
It was a great jewel for sure! I have lived in Houston my entire childhood and I am STILL discovering new places. Fingers crossed next time your in town you can experience their amazing hospitality first hand 🙂
That looks like an amaaaaazing B&B! I’ve definitely stayed in a B&B where I kept the lights on because I was vaguely concerned about ghosts, hahaha. That looks like a gorgeous place to stay though–I’ll definitely have to keep it in mind if I ever get to visit Houston!
Lol, yayy I’m not the only one!! I think it would have been easier if I was not in the attic. But hey it made for a great story 🙂
Super cute place! And omg the kitten!
Yess, the kitchen gave me serious envy as well. It had the best rustic feel with touches of modern 🙂
What a beautiful spot! Looks like a great getaway & so luxurious! I always love a personal touch!
It was the PERFECT place for a getaway. Everything was super customized and the property owner is very attentive to all the guests individual needs, which was amazing.
I love your photos and the place is soo charming!! Specifically that Texas charm!
Thank you for appreciateing the photos, we are glad you liked them. Texas charm has its own special appeal for sure. There wasn’t a place in the house that didtn’t ooz southern charm 🙂
How lovely! I like a smaller place, too. I totally understand. And that bathtub — that’s awesome. What a wonderful experience it would be to stay at Uphouse Manor!
The bathtub ALONE would make you fall in love with this place 🙂 This was my first experience in a smaller place and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it.
What an adorable place to stay! I love all the little details. If it makes you feel better, I always sleep with the bedroom door closed to so that would’ve freaked me out a bit too 🙂
lol good to know Im not the only one! The details really did set this place above others. The property owner has really invested a lot of time and put a LOT of love into every detail
I’ve never stayed at a bed and breakfast, but this looks lovely! It looks so elegant and homey. I’m definitely going to look into booking a stay at abed and breakfast the next time I travel.
Absolutely. We were a little hesitant at first, but honestly, best decision EVER.
Wow what an absolutely incredible B&B! It looks like you had a wonderful time at such a beautiful place, I will def stay there if I go to Houston!
It was a memorable experience for sure! The property owner is also an avid baker so you can also expect to have some delicous treats when you are there 🙂
Such a cool background story. And I love the interiors and the room decor. Saving this post for later for when I can travel.
Thanks for sharing
Oh yay, We are glad that you found this post useful. Please let us know if you have any questions in the future when you are planning your travel 🙂
This looks like a fantastic B&B to stay at! I’ve stayed in a couple of them so far and loved my experiences.
I was pleasantly surprised at the overall experience, we hope to go to more Bed and Breakfast in the future. This place has set the standard for us 🙂
What a beautiful hotel! And that bath tub is literally from my dreams 🙂
Ohh that tub 🙂 It was BLISS.
I absolutely love such finds! Like you said its always great to have benefits of a hotel at the comfort of a home. Happy travelling, and hope you keep finding such gems on the way,
It really was a gem. I was thrilled to find such a cool place to stay. Thank you for the well wishes 🙂 Fingers crossed we all can safely get back out and explore 🙂
Looks like really cool place to stay, very cozy and luxurious as well, I love the style of it! I’d love to check it out when I get to Houston
The style was a great mix of modern and vintage. The nooks and seating areas were great!!
What a beautiful B&B! I love the charm and character of this place. Definitely a place where I’d love to stay!
Oh absolutely:) The property owner has put a LOT of love into all the little details. It was very artisian and you could see the unique charm in every room
What a beautiful bed and breakfast! I started opening myself up to staying at bed and breakfasts. They are so quaint and welcoming! I totally have to stay here next time I go to Houston. 🙂
They are WONDERFUL! I didnt know what to expect going into a Bed and Breakfast for the first time, but I am glad I took the plunge. You should for sure book a stay next time you are in Houston 🙂 They have soo many amazing places to eat and hang out around the property as well 🙂
What a phenomenal B&B! The service sounds impeccable and the decor looks stunning! I’ll keep it in mind if I get the opportunity to visit Houston…thanks for the guide!
Ohh it was a GREAT experience. We did not know what to expect but we were FLOORED by the level of service and the quality of everything from the coffee to the cushions!
Looks like such a relaxing weekend getaway spot! Your story made me laugh because I am the exact same way lol
Thanks so much for sharing!!
It is a wonderful place to detox, lol yes, thats how I roll. My husband still gets a kick out of how many lights I had on all night. Glad we could add some laughter to your day 🙂
I visit Dallas frequently since I am originally from there to visit my family. Houston is not too far and I need to make a trip to stay at this Bed and Breakfast. it is so charming. I have stayed at them before and love how personal and cozy they are. Thanks for this review. Makes we want to visit!
We LOVE Dallas too! You should absolutely head over to Houston sometime. Try to go around the Rodeo Season so you can get the best of both worlds 🙂
This place is beautiful!! Thanks for all of the information, and your stories!!
Always a pleasure to share our travel storie 🙂 Yes, the home owner has kept this place immaculate.
Sounds like an amazing experience and this hotel is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks a lot for sharing!
We are so glad you enjoyed the post! It was a first time experience as we wanted to share how much we enjoyed staying at a Bed nd Breakfast. It opened up a lot of options for future stays 🙂
I love Bed and Breakfast places! The attic apartment looks so cute as does The Heights neighborhood!
It was absolutely charming 🙂 The Heights was such a cool place I could have spent wayy more time wandering around if I had the time 🙂
Bed and breakfasts are my absolute fave. It’s the best of both worlds. 🙂
Yess!! It was nice to have a cozy place to rest and get some TLC but still have all the amenities of a hotel 🙂
What an amazing place to stay! It looks so cozy. That breakfast looks amazing and I’m also loving that bathtub!
It was an amazing place and yes it was the perfect combination of cozy with a touch of luxury. The breakfast was amazing and yes the bathtub was a decadent treat!
This place looks absolutely amazing!
It was a beautiful property thats for sure!