Our family just returned from a great weekend at The Houstonian. My husband and I stayed there several years ago before we had children and were very pleased to find it has been updated and is as accommodating for families as it is for couples. Of course our stays were different. The first time we enjoyed breakfast in bed, the hot tub after working out at their fabulous huge health club and walks on their grounds after yummy dinners. This time we enjoyed the continental breakfast on the club level, dropping off the kids at the kids' club at the health club (3 hours a day is free) so we could take free fitness classes and exercise, swimming in one of 3 pools (one has a small water slide and 2 shallow areas for kids), watching the kids conquer the indoor rock climbing wall (small charge but they work 1 on 1 with the kids). They also have a nice separate spa area and tennis courts that we didn't have a chance to investigate. We were off seeing all of the great kid-friendly sites of Houston (such as the zoo, fabulous children's museum, Health museum (sounds so-so but it has excellent exhibits about different organs and a 4-D movie about cells and DNA) and downtown aquarium (buy the $16 all day pass so you can ride the rides over and over).
The Houstonian is just a lovely property (14 acres or so I believe) that is close to the Galleria and yet not too far from the museum district and downtown. We were very happy to see they have kept it up to date with new decor yet retained the club look; too many hotels look too modern in our opinion.
Don't miss the huge health club. It is famous in Houston for a good reason and you can't beat their childcare in a safe, friendly environment (local health club members leave their kids at the same facility). Go enjoy yourself!








