A Houston auto magnate is stepping in to revamp the city's iconic St. Regis River Oaks Hotel.
Houston businessman Leslie Doggett—who owns a chain of industrial equipment firms and car dealerships—has acquired St. Regis with plans for a major overhaul and rebrand, as reported in an exclusive from the Houston Business Journal. Situated at the gateway to the River Oaks neighborhood, the property will be renamed The Houston Grand Hotel—River Oaks.
The renovation will touch every corner of the 232-room property, redesigning guest rooms, public areas, and dining venues. Upon completion, the hotel will relaunch as a flagship member of The Luxury Collection with Marriott, according to a release from Saddlebrook Equity and Management. Saddlebrook did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
"We are determined to curate a guest experience that is unparalleled in the city," Doggett said in the release.
The hotel at 1919 Briar Oaks Lane has operated in Houston for more than four decades, first opening in 1982. Its amenities include an award-winning restaurant and bar, a heated outdoor pool, a spa, and event and gala spaces.
Transformative improvement plans, under the direction of Charlotte Moss, will redesign accommodations, the grand lobby, and event and gala spaces, according to the release. A reimagined fitness center featuring an F-1 simulator, a whiskey, martini and brandy bar, new world-class food and beverage concepts, and specialty local coffee blends are also part of the hotel’s rebrand.
Over the years, St. Regis has hosted a slew of prominent celebrities, athletes, and political figures, including President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II.
Long recognized as one of the city's most luxurious stays, St. Regis earned a spot among the nation's top hotels in 2018 and in 2019. In 2024, Forbes gave the St. Regis a four-star rating on its annual travel guide.
Doggett said in the release his goal is to "restore the 'familiar and grandest hotel' of Houston hospitality to her former glory," adding "we will bring back the soul of the classic hotel experience."
HEI Hotels and Resorts—a hospitality owner and operator based out of Connecticut—has assumed management of the hotel.
Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2027, as reported by the Houston Business Journal.