I stayed at The Houstonian as a wedding guest. (All the events of the weekend took place at the hotel.) The hotel is generally regarded as the best luxury property in Houston, and while I don't stay at places as grand as this too often, I do think that the hotel is overrated.

The style is that of a fake Texan lodge, with wooden beams, fireplaces, taxidermy, engravings of flora and fauna and paintings of fox-hunting. My King room was plenty large, despite a smallish bathroom and no cell phone reception. The grounds feature a great pool complex. I had breakfast in the hotel restaurant which was tasty but overpriced.

The concierges were poor. I was not given an extra roll-away bed for my room (which I requested months earlier) nor was I given the option to book a shuttle to the airport. The most helpful people were the bellhops, waitstaff and cleaning ladies. As with all fancy hotels, they are always the ones who know exactly what you need and how to get it for you.

The wedding was a blast, but had it not been held at The Houstonian, there would have been little reason to stay there. Now, there is even less reason to return in the future.

a delightful, oasis in the center of houston! we were pampered by the whole staff and were really made to feel at home. we loved the fact that the hotel is so close to all the great houston shopping, but hidden away from all the traffic. i will definitely bring my family back for the health club and pools. good value.

Most unique place I've stayed for a city hotel. This hotel is located near a very busy area of Houston but you pull in and it has a park-like setting. A white florida style guard house greets you and the man directs you to the hotel. The lobby reminded me of a lodge in the ski country. Elk painting, huge fireplace, wood floors. The rooms are normal sized but the bathroom is the old traditional hotel type bathroom with everything in one room. The room has full glass windows for the wall to the outside and all you see if beautiful green trees. I actually saw an armadillo, a rabbit and a raccoon when I was walking around the outdoor track. I couldn't believe it, so close to the city. The place has a huge new spa. I didn't use it, but they let me walk in and see it. They said there were 19 treatment rooms. I wish I'd have had time. The health club is a private club but hotel guests can use it. It's in a seperate building a short walk down a wooded path from the hotel. they must have had over 150 pieces of equipment, a restaurant there etc.
The best part, though, was the pools! They have 3 pools, one smaller one right behind the hotel and one giant resort pool between, and a huge lap pool. Waterfalls, little water geysers in the kiddy area. It was quite a surprise to see. It made you feel as if you were at some major resort destination. The people were absolutely wonderful. The conciege in the lobby (Pete or Paul was his name) was quite helpful and had a good answer to everything I asked him (which I tend to ask others instead of research on my own). The food was also wonderful. I only had room service but the restaurant looked quite charming when I peaked my head in. While people may have different experiences, this hotel is like no other in Houston and is definitely worth a try.