Special Content Collaboration with Texas Lifestyle Magazine
By: Marika Flatt and Tucker Flatt
Opening its doors at the beginning of the 2018 fall football season, the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center sits in the heart of Aggieland. Known as the guesthouse for the university, with eight stories, 250 rooms, three hospitality suites, four Memorial Student Center (MSC) suites and two penthouse suites, this hotel is all about location, location, location. Situated across the street from the famous Kyle Field, The Texas A&M Hotel is the official overnight location for all things maroon.
Right At Home
In terms of convenience, there is no substitute for this on-campus accommodation. With parking in such high demand, Aggies understand the rarity of a premium parking spot. The parking garage on Gene Stallings Blvd. is directly attached to the hotel. Guests can park on the third floor of the parking garage and take the covered bridge all the way across, into the second floor of the hotel.
Guests feel right at home with the overarching Aggie motif in each and every room. Beginning with the Benjamin Knox mural in the entryways, to the black-and-white vintage A&M photos above the headboards, and even small details in the bathroom, such as the Gig’em Aggies silver plate in the shower, and the water faucet, which when turned on, is a Gig’em thumbs-up, each room is on-brand. Just like on campus, Reveille (A&M’s mascot) rules the room as the featured face of the wallpaper.
The heroes of the house are the third-floor hospitality suites, connected to guest rooms, which provide ample space for entertaining on gameday. Suite amenities include a kitchenette featuring an all-important ice machine, two flat-screen TVs (powered by a single remote), a grand dining table, a comfortable sectional couch and a full bathroom with a shower. The suite includes a patio overlooking Kyle Field, which provides the perfect vantage point to the hustle and bustle of campus life.
Steps away from the patio is the outdoor pool branded with the A&M logo (heated in the off-season) that boasts shaded cabanas, maroon and silver fire pits and a relaxing green space. With one side of the pool facing the MSC and the other side facing Kyle Field, the pool peers upon the heart of the campus. They’ll be hosting watch parties on the pool deck during football season!
In-Hotel Dining Destinations
Adding to its convenience, there are three dining destinations within the hotel. Located on the first floor, the Junction Café is a quick grab-and-go option for breakfast or lunch. Here, guests can grab breakfast items such as hearty croissant sandwiches, fruit cups or gourmet coffee drinks. On point with the Aggie theme, specialty coffee drinks include the Howdy (vanilla and cinnamon) and the 12th Irish Man (Irish crema with mocha).
For a sit-down breakfast or lunch option, head into Brazos-Proper Texas Kitchen, also on the first floor. Here, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast or menu items such as avocado toast, Nutella French toast or chicken chilaquiles to power up for a productive day.
At Block T Bar & Grill on the second floor, diners will enjoy a relaxed setting for menu items such as the trio of dips (salsa, guacamole and queso), a smoked pulled-pork sandwich with a side of truffle fries or the Outlaw Burger with sweet potato fries. Most Aggies will pair that with a cold beer.
Aggieland Eats
College Station offers a variety of dining options, from the very casual to an upscale culinary experience. For an authentic hometown meal, Layne’s “soon to be famous” Chicken Fingers opened its door to hungry college students in 1994. We love how they say it on their website: “Born and breaded since 1994!” Offering inexpensive quality chicken strip meals, Layne’s has survived the test of time. Their simple menu features only a few fried chicken options (chicken strip plate and chicken sandwich), yet their secret menu includes the “best grilled cheese in Bryan-College Station” and a healthy chicken wrap. Layne’s has evolved from its original compact location across the street from campus to three other locations sprinkled around town, plus four locations in the DFW area and a location in Katy to open in June.
For an upscale steakhouse experience, Porters, next to the George Hotel, treats guests to an unforgettable dinner event. Start with a delicious glass of cabernet or cool chardonnay, to pair with a starter of wild-caught calamari or fried Texas quail legs. Entree highlights include Atlantic Salmon (you can substitute mashed potatoes with crispy Brussels sprouts for an uber healthy choice), chicken fried steak and, if you’re lucky, they will be offering their special: scallops over a bed of risotto. Wrap up your dining journey with a dessert selection of 12-layer carrot cake, NY cheesecake or creme brulee. From A+ customer service to a genuine Aggieland ambiance, Porters is the perfect location for a special celebration dinner.
Courtesy City of College Station
Courtesy City of College Station 
Courtesy City of College Station
Marika Flatt, named 2021 Outstanding Austin Communicator, is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. Hear her “Weekend Trip Tips” on the statewide NPR show Texas Standard, and see her travel suggestions on TV shows across the state. She’s the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’97!
Tucker Flatt has been growing up bleeding maroon and hopes to be the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’26!