The Houston Magnolia is good, but doesn't live up to the hype. I've stayed at hotels all over the world - usually very nice ones - and i admit i am a finicky hotel guest.

The good: room was larger than expected. nicely appointed. clean. great linens & bed.

The not so good: long, long waits for valet. desk clerks were snooty at check-in and not even there at check-out. the milk, at their famous "milk & cookies" was warm.

Overall a decent place to stay, but not the best Houston has to offer.

We have enjoyed our stays at the other Magnolia's in Denver and Dallas so had some expectations for Houston. Unfortunately there were some definite differences which would make us hesitate to ever go back there. Corners are being cut on the things that set the Magnolia apart.
We do have to say that the rooms are spacious and the overall decor is really nice and contemporary. Bed was comfortable as was the temperature in the room. Another plus was the roomy workout room. Our "free" in room internet never worked the whole time we were there but we could go wireless in the lounge. The toilet had very little pressure and didn't flush well and the drain in the sink was only open the tiniest amount making it stop up, too. The shower had the pressure of a light rain.
At other Magnolias we enjoyed the complimentary wine and lovely appetizers offered but this has been eliminated as have all the carb-free choices from the breakfast buffet (unless you want to pay $10.95 for the chef cooked alternative or pay $8 for two eggs) Even the lower economical hotels offer hard boiled eggs or oatmeal on their continental breakfast bars.
The staff wasn't always available and we never really could tell who was in charge or who could speak English. There was just an overall sense of cluelessness.
SO if you can overlook the extras that are missing this is a comfortable place to sleep but there may be other places that are less expensive and offer a bit more service.

The hotel itself is not bad...nice decor and comfortable rooms. I would say the shortfall is with the staff and their inability to service guests. Here are a few examples of my experience....no hair dryer in room so I called the front desk to make the request and was told one would be sent right up...2 days later when I checked out I still didn't have a hair dryer. The other thing that happened on my trip was that I attempted to set up a wake up call the front desk phone rang and rang and rang for over 40 minutes before I gave up.

I arrived at the hotel around 1:00, prior to the check in time of 4:00 pm. I received a nice greeting from the valet, but was told by the front desk that they didn't have a room ready yet. They recommended a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch I returned at 3:00. I have a reservation made a month earlier for a room with double beds as I was traveling with my 17 year old son. The room still wasn't ready, so we took the metro rail to the museum and arrived back at the hotel a little after 5:00. We had show tickets for 7:30. The room still wasn't ready. I expressed my concern to the desk clerk. He recommended that I take a King Room, and that they would provide a roll away bed, so that we could get ready. He offered to comp breakfast the next day, because of the delay. I declined breakfast, but asked if he could comp the valet parking instead, which he agreed to do. So far, so good. The hotel lobby was nice, and the room was as well, although the comforter was a little worn. The room was clean. We left for the show a little before 7:00. As yet the roll away still hadn't been delivered. I checked with the front desk again, and was told the roll away had been requested, but he would double check again for me. We arrived back at the hotel after midnight to discover there was still no rollaway. I called the front desk and was told there were none left. I asked if we could be switched to a new room, and was told there were none available, nor could they upgrade us. Only after a stern conversation, did the employee check with a supervisor. They did then offer to comp a second room for my son, two floors up. I made up my mind that this was satisfactory and that I would still feel that the overall experience was satisfactory if not ideal. The next morning, I received my bill to find that I had been charged for valet parking. I spoke the the desk clerk on duty, who told me that the gentlemen the evening before had no authority to comp valet parking, and that she couldn't remove it. She was pleasant, and told me that if I wanted to wait approximately an hour, that I could speak to her supervisor who might be able to assist me. After the whole experience I just paid the bill and left. I did fill out their comment card and left it with my checkout information at the front desk. I haven't heard from anyone there and don't expect to. I don't think they have an overall attitude of wanting to provide good service to the customer. I'm not a frequent traveler, but I stay in hotels at least 2 to 3 times per year. I really enjoy a full service hotel. I've never written a review and I've never complained at a hotel before this. I am just really surprised, because at every other hotel that I have stayed at my reservations have been correct, the staff has never ignored a request, and has certainly never told me they would do something they are not authorized to do. Maybe I have been fortunate, but I feel that this hotel is not well ran. Management attitute is perhaps reflected by the staff? I will not stay there again.