The rooms face an inner courtyard area and the parking lot. This design means that you will catch EVERY little noise that occurs with the other guests as they are walking to their rooms, parking their cars, etc. Think of luggage wheels rolling on cement. Think of car alarms. Think of a couple arguing about exactly where the heck their room is located. Or...as in our case...think of a huge wedding party that decides to hang out on the balconies, shout from room to room, and come and go in their cars until the wee hours of the night/morning. Indeed, when I went down to complain in the morning (could not leave sleeping newborn alone in the room to go take care of it at night!), there was vomit all over the elevator floor and other guests were at the desk complaining as well. The design of this building means that you are party to everything that happens outside your bedroom door - something you don't usually get when you're nestled in a larger building. It's really a shame, because the entire visit was ruined by this.

This hotel was obviously not originally constructed as a Residence Inn, but presumably converted from a previous life as apartments. The layout is unlike any Residence Inn I've stayed before, with most of the suites on the second, third, and fourth levels around the perimeter of the property over covered parking on the ground level, with a separate centrally-located building with more typical rooms, including the office, pool, exercise room, laundry room, and gatehouse/lobby (where breakfast is served).

PROS:
- Great location, less than a block from the Galleria Mall, so it's an easy walk to numerous dining and shopping spots, and ice skating if you are so inclined. I had a great seafood meal one night there at the Kona Grill, and a good Mexican meal for lunch another day at Ninfa's in the food court.
- Complete kitchen with full-size refrigerator with ice maker, dishwasher, sink, 2-burner stove, and microwave.
- Wall-mounted easy-to-use thermostat to control the central heat/AC unit. Much quieter than some hotels with a noisy window-style unit right next to the bed.
- Wonderful complimentary full breakfast (like all Residence Inns) with many selections that change from day-to-day to suit most anyone.

CONS:
- Suites with exterior doors opening to a balcony (typical for older hotels), however for enhanced security, a room key card is required to access the stairs or elevator to the upper rooms level.
- Odd suite layout with narrow living area adjacent to kitchen area in rear, with small sofa (convertible into a double bed) and side chair, and no room for a coffee table (nor is one included).
- Tiny dining table with room for two at most
- Work desk with hard-wired Internet connection is in the separate bedroom (apparently because of inadequate space in the living area), instead of being more conveniently located in the living area.
- No conventional oven in kitchen for pizza or more serious cooking

Overall, quite pleased with the accomodations, especially as a solo traveler, but if I had not stayed at many other Residence Inns before, I may have gotten the mistaken impression that this is the typical Residence Inn layout. And since the suite I was assigned is smaller than the typical one-bedroom suite at other Residence Inns, it really is adequate for no more than two adults, or two adults with a couple of small children.

Really liked our stay. Friendly and helpful staff (THEY looked up information up on Internet instead of just directing me to their business center computer. GREAT breakfast and location. The 1 bedroom suite with King bed was HUGE (this location looks like it used to be apartments)

Only nitpicks: no elevator to our room on 2nd story. (Elevator IS in the other taller buildings. We preferred our location though, and they did have 1st story rooms in our building).

Fitness center (which I only looked in window) seemed to have nice equipment (treadmill, elliptical, stair master, NO bike. Also has some type of universal weight machine.) We did not go into pool/hot tub area. I think (but not sure) they have some agreement with the Gold's gym 3/4 mi away.

Bathroom is a little small for 2 people, but fine for 1. (ie. vanity is only one sink without much counter space)

I stayed here on a mixed business and pleasure trip. The location is ideal for the Galleria and indeed the city. The accomdation was excellent. Like a studio flat, kitchen facilities and comfy sofa give a home away from home feel. High speed internet access was easy with my creaky old laptop and the service from staff fantastic. They're happy to help night and day and make taxi arrangements etc without hassle.

They have a grocery shopping service as well as an order in service which is reasonable in price for downtown Houston. Lots of parking and secure access (you need your room card to access your floor) add to the feeling of security. Friendly efficient chambermaid service as well with someone asking later that day if everything is ok.

I loved the Residence Inn, and I am not easily pleased when jet lagged. Will definately be staying there when I return.

On a frivolous note, I agree with a previous review, they have cleanest stairwell I have ever ever come across.