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An old-school 'ice cube’ glass tower with a nine-story atrium maintains all the style and charm of its early days while providing extensive conference facilities updated with the latest in AV geekery – including support staff for audio-visual equipment. Bar patrons are segregated: loud fans watch big screens in Players Sports Bar and the rest drink in the tasteful Tiffany Rose Lounge. Contemporary Southwest might not seem the right cuisine for a restaurant called Deco, unless one is accustomed to the reckless cross-cultural combinations common in Houston. In any case, the food and the ambiance are lovely, and it comes together nicely for Sunday jazz brunch. Please note that the hotel may re-emerge as the Marriott Westchase – it’s a Marriott property but not flying the flag yet.
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Upgrade to executive level for in-room office space, and extra phone line, and access to the Club Room for continental breakfasts and evening snacks. All guests enjoy a gym and outdoor tennis court – although there’s the option of taking a pleasant stroll alongside Rice University campus to catch a film at the Rice Cinema or continue walking few blocks west for Rice Village dining and nightlife. Downtown destinations are 15 minutes away via light rail. Crowne Plaza meeting planners do everything short of creating your PowerPoint presentations.
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Situated in a 1,300-acre office park, this straight-laced, service-oriented hotel offers all the convenience of suburban living – including access to transportation to more exciting nightlife destinations. Designers departed from the austere service style of most public spaces in the Rio Ranch restaurant. Steak and southwestern cuisine are the specialties and there’s always enough AC to keep the 30-foot limestone fireplace from warming the dining room. The Hill Country chic extends to regular wine and game dinners. Floor-to-ceiling windows in each room look out on landscaped grounds and guests on the top three floors are entitled to executive perks such as evening hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
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The salesman’s choice. These unfussy and reliable inns offer in-room coffee and tea, decent computer support, and extremely comfortable beds – which is all a weary road warrior really needs. While a slight breakfast – juice and muffins, usually – is provided it’s best to take your meals at nearby diners and restaurants. There is a free shuttle from the hotel to the Medical Centre (and from there you can take the train downtown, if you’re thrifty that way.)Note that the arena across the freeway is now a giant church. Basketball and hockey games have moved to the Toyota Centre.
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Don’t be fooled – these manicured acres comprise a self-contained miniature city masquerading as a sprawling conference centre. Anything and everything the business traveller could want or need is provided by staff who, apparently, live to serve. Spas, pools (indoor and outdoor along with a water park), tennis courts (indoor and outdoor) and miles and miles of wooded hike and bike trails offer a bit of variety for those who tire of top-rated golf courses at the resort. Entertaining? Host a margarita party, complete with mariachis, on the Alamo set.
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