Houston, TX, USA – September 10, 2018: Marriott Marquis is a Four Diamond hotel located in downtown Houston and has a Texas-shaped swimming pool, five restaurants and beautiful views from all sides.Joe Hendrickson
1777 Walker St., (713) 654-1777
Adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown, the Marriott Marquis has another 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including Houston’s largest ballroom. Often cited as the best hotel in the city, it caters to business travelers and leisure seekers alike, famously featuring the world’s largest Texas-shaped lazy river on its rooftop. If you don’t think that’s something anyone would be proud of then you haven’t spent enough time in the state.
1100 Texas Ave., (713) 221-0011
A more affordable lodging option located in the former Shell Oil headquarters, this renovated downtown hotel offers quick access to the convention center and Daikin Park, which the Astros call home. You may not be able to paddle around the rooftop plunge pool like you would at the Marquis, but a quick, cool dip at the end of the day won’t disappoint, nor will the free cookies at bedtime.
Courtesy of Bunkhouse Hotels
4110 Loretto Dr., (832) 844-0057
This new, mid-century-inspired gem can be found in the Montrose neighborhood, a stone’s throw from the Menil Collection, arguably the best and most unusual museum in town. The boutique property includes just 71 rooms and has been designed to fit in with its surroundings, which are largely residential and very poor in comparison to the city’s worst conditions. Despite its small size, it still has room for a small event space, a private swimming pool, and a lobby dining room.
111 N Post Oak Ln., (713) 680-2626
The Houstonian occupies a sprawling 27 acres in Houston’s West Oaks neighborhood, just outside the Loop. Despite its central location, the hotel offers a level of seclusion that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Perhaps that’s why George HW Bush used the hotel as his official residence in the 1980s and stayed here for decades afterward. The 125,000 square foot spa is also the largest in the state.
2222 W Loop S, (713) 627-7600
Another Galleria-area hotel, this is a good choice for business travelers who need executive-oriented amenities such as 24-hour business center access, shuttle service, and meeting and event space (all 50,000 square feet). With 485 guest rooms on its 23 floors, there’s probably room for your entire organization to find a bedroom for the week.
A Place to Work
Houston has hundreds of coworking spaces, so chances are you’ll be able to find something close to where you live. As with most things in this city, travel time is important to consider. These options may be some of the best options in town, but no sane Houstonian would recommend spending an hour in traffic to get to one of them if another solid option is nearby.
Courtesy of POST
401 Franklin St., (713) 999-2550
Named after the old post office that used to occupy this Museum District space (it used to be a railroad depot), POST was redesigned in 2019 as a cultural center that includes dining hall-style dining, an art museum, a concert hall and a rooftop garden. It also has plenty of workspace options ranging from single desks to full offices, with day passes starting at $25.
4201 Main St.
Rice University helped develop the Ion District, which occupies 16 acres in Midtown and serves as a technology park and innovation center for tech and energy outfits, and now includes the largest climate and sustainable energy incubator in the country. Coworking passes (starting at $60/day) give you access to many networking events plus snacks and coffee.
1430 Yale St., (832) 203-5115
This boutique office space is ideal for those doing business in the Heights, with amenities including an on-site notary, meeting room rentals, and virtual office options for those who need a physical address in town. Multiple spending options are available from $25 day passes to $359 monthly memberships (which include free meeting room access).
Where to Get Coffee
Yes, there are nearly 200 Starbucks in the greater Houston area, and while you’re welcome to visit them or any other chain for pick-me-up, these locations offer a more refined (and independent) experience that, if nothing else, will help you impress your business colleagues with your superior taste.
3201 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 170
8410 Way. 90 ALT, Bldg. B, Sugar Land, (346) 368-2895
Blendin focuses on sourcing coffee from unique regions with a “tree to cup” philosophy, which means your cup (or bag of beans) may come from a single farm in Panama, Ethiopia, Burundi, or somewhere further afield. Put yourself in the hands of a barista at one of two locations to help you find the perfect base for your latte.
1018 Westheimer Rd.
At this beloved local coffee shop with a full menu, it’s best to pair your Vietnamese matcha or Golden Monkey tea with a hearty lunch, like smoked salmon or scratch biscuits topped with smoked bacon. Skip lunch to get a chance.
