The 88 rooms at the mid-range Marriott-owned TownePlace Suites are self-contained apartments with full kitchens, and can be a good choice for travelers staying on Galveston Island for extended periods. Although the hotel is in a somewhat remote area of the island with little in walking distance, the ocean is across the street, and parking, Wi-Fi, and a continental breakfast are free. The hotel also has a small fitness center with cardio machines and free weights, a coin-operated laundry, a convenience store, and a beautiful outdoor pool with fire pit and shaded seating -- although it's shared with a neighboring Courtyard hotel.
The 88 rooms at the mid-range Marriott-owned TownePlace Suites are self-contained apartments with full kitchens, and can be a good choice for travelers staying on Galveston Island for extended periods. Although the hotel is in a somewhat remote area of the island with little in walking distance, the ocean is across the street, and parking, Wi-Fi, and a continental breakfast are free. The hotel also has a small fitness center with cardio machines and free weights, a coin-operated laundry, a convenience store, and a beautiful outdoor pool with fire pit and shaded seating -- although it's shared with a neighboring Courtyard hotel.
Compared with other properties on Galveston Island, this mid-range, 85-room Courtyard has more for business travelers, with meeting rooms and a business center. But its Gulf-front convenient location, free parking, lovely outdoor pool, and large rooms with sofa beds also hold appeal for tourists. Be aware that breakfast is not included in the room rate, and that prices can double on weekends. The closest beach from the hotel is rocky, not sandy, and aside from the ocean, there's not much within easy walking distance. For a sandier spot, travelers could check out the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort.
Compared with other properties on Galveston Island, this mid-range, 85-room Courtyard has more for business travelers, with meeting rooms and a business center. But its Gulf-front convenient location, free parking, lovely outdoor pool, and large rooms with sofa beds also hold appeal for tourists. Be aware that breakfast is not included in the room rate, and that prices can double on weekends. The closest beach from the hotel is rocky, not sandy, and aside from the ocean, there's not much within easy walking distance. For a sandier spot, travelers could check out the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort.
Two blocks from Schlitterbahn Water Park and Moody Gardens, this budget hotel is a convenient choice for families and cruise-bound tourists -- it's surrounded by an outdoor mini-golf course, has an outdoor pool, and offers free parking and inexpensive shuttle service to cruise-line guests. Like the lobby and restaurant, the 151 guest rooms, which are spacious and well-priced, are a bit dated and tired-looking, with old carpeting, furniture, and upholstery, although some have been renovated. Rooms include free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast. A better budget option could be the Days Inn & Suites Galveston West/Seawall, with updated, contemporary rooms.
Two blocks from Schlitterbahn Water Park and Moody Gardens, this budget hotel is a convenient choice for families and cruise-bound tourists -- it's surrounded by an outdoor mini-golf course, has an outdoor pool, and offers free parking and inexpensive shuttle service to cruise-line guests. Like the lobby and restaurant, the 151 guest rooms, which are spacious and well-priced, are a bit dated and tired-looking, with old carpeting, furniture, and upholstery, although some have been renovated. Rooms include free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast. A better budget option could be the Days Inn & Suites Galveston West/Seawall, with updated, contemporary rooms.
The three-pearl DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach is a good choice for families and couples seeking clean and comfortable waterfront accommodations. It's located just across the street from a beach and convenient to all that Galveston Island offers. Its 97 guest rooms are stylish and colorful, done with midcentury modern-inspired decor, and they're nicely equipped with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Highlights include a spacious pool with swim-up bar, full-service restaurant that serves breakfast for a fee, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Travelers looking for a step up can consider Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel.
The three-pearl DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach is a good choice for families and couples seeking clean and comfortable waterfront accommodations. It's located just across the street from a beach and convenient to all that Galveston Island offers. Its 97 guest rooms are stylish and colorful, done with midcentury modern-inspired decor, and they're nicely equipped with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Highlights include a spacious pool with swim-up bar, full-service restaurant that serves breakfast for a fee, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Travelers looking for a step up can consider Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel.
The upscale Hotel Derek Houston Galleria is a lively and hip Uptown property near high-end shopping. Trendy interiors include a modern restaurant and a bar serving tasty Texan fare as well as craft beer, and there's a small outdoor pool and a fitness center. The hotel also has several event and meeting rooms, including a large ballroom, as well as a business center. The 312 stylish rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and minibars, while suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and some have balconies. Noise can be an issue, however, due to thin walls and the hotel's usually festive atmosphere, and many guests complain that the furnishings are worn. Travelers seeking a more kid-friendly environment might want to consider the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside instead.
The upscale Hotel Derek Houston Galleria is a lively and hip Uptown property near high-end shopping. Trendy interiors include a modern restaurant and a bar serving tasty Texan fare as well as craft beer, and there's a small outdoor pool and a fitness center. The hotel also has several event and meeting rooms, including a large ballroom, as well as a business center. The 312 stylish rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and minibars, while suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and some have balconies. Noise can be an issue, however, due to thin walls and the hotel's usually festive atmosphere, and many guests complain that the furnishings are worn. Travelers seeking a more kid-friendly environment might want to consider the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside instead.
Located in a non-touristy suburb of northwest Houston, this mid-range Hilton Garden Inn is geared mostly toward business travelers, as it sits in the midst of several companies and is about a 25-minute drive to downtown. The location, however, means easy driving access to anywhere along US Highway 290 and Beltway 8. Rooms are pleasant, modern, and come equipped with mini-fridges and microwaves, and suite options offer separate bedrooms. The hotel has free parking, Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and it has slightly lower rates than comparable properties closer to downtown. For a more central location, travelers could try the Hilton Americas - Houston.
Located in a non-touristy suburb of northwest Houston, this mid-range Hilton Garden Inn is geared mostly toward business travelers, as it sits in the midst of several companies and is about a 25-minute drive to downtown. The location, however, means easy driving access to anywhere along US Highway 290 and Beltway 8. Rooms are pleasant, modern, and come equipped with mini-fridges and microwaves, and suite options offer separate bedrooms. The hotel has free parking, Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and it has slightly lower rates than comparable properties closer to downtown. For a more central location, travelers could try the Hilton Americas - Houston.
From the outside, the 131-room Hotel Indigo resembles the Embassy Suites chain across the way, but its interior is considerably more stylish. Cool cobalt blue walls, striped chairs, and beachy murals make it feel like a beach resort in the center of Houston. The rooms are fresh and bright, with tall ceilings and nautical-themed furnishings. Small kitchenettes feature sinks, tiny coffeemakers, and mini-fridges; microwaves are featured in all suites as well, and in standard rooms upon request. Modern bathrooms have walk-in showers, half enclosed with glass (there's no door). Crossroads Bistro & Bar serves casual fare for breakfast and dinner, and the small fitness center has modern equipment (though the free weights are beat up). Business travelers will likely appreciate the business center and meeting rooms, as shopping-minded visitors will appreciate the proximity to the Houston Galleria.
From the outside, the 131-room Hotel Indigo resembles the Embassy Suites chain across the way, but its interior is considerably more stylish. Cool cobalt blue walls, striped chairs, and beachy murals make it feel like a beach resort in the center of Houston. The rooms are fresh and bright, with tall ceilings and nautical-themed furnishings. Small kitchenettes feature sinks, tiny coffeemakers, and mini-fridges; microwaves are featured in all suites as well, and in standard rooms upon request. Modern bathrooms have walk-in showers, half enclosed with glass (there's no door). Crossroads Bistro & Bar serves casual fare for breakfast and dinner, and the small fitness center has modern equipment (though the free weights are beat up). Business travelers will likely appreciate the business center and meeting rooms, as shopping-minded visitors will appreciate the proximity to the Houston Galleria.
Things at this low-end budget property are finally starting to look up. The Travel Channel program Hotel Impossible featured the hotel in 2012, and gave the hotel's entrance area and cafe a much needed facelift -- including upgraded signage, landscaping additions, and de-cluttering of the cafe's windows (formerly covered in Post-It notes). Rooms are all very spacious, making it well-suited for families, and the aging bathrooms are getting modernized. The Astroturf-covered pool area is especially atrocious, however, and shows the dire state the property was in before being purchased. The renovations should hopefully bring more improvements.
Things at this low-end budget property are finally starting to look up. The Travel Channel program Hotel Impossible featured the hotel in 2012, and gave the hotel's entrance area and cafe a much needed facelift -- including upgraded signage, landscaping additions, and de-cluttering of the cafe's windows (formerly covered in Post-It notes). Rooms are all very spacious, making it well-suited for families, and the aging bathrooms are getting modernized. The Astroturf-covered pool area is especially atrocious, however, and shows the dire state the property was in before being purchased. The renovations should hopefully bring more improvements.
The four-pearl Eilan Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, is a beautiful destination resort hotel in San Antonio’s tony northern suburbs. While the location might feel a bit isolated for those without a car, there are several restaurants and top attractions like Six Flags Fiesta a brief drive away. Its 165 rooms are spacious and upscale, with 24-hour room service, Keurig coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms. Highlights include a huge outdoor pool, a spa with indoor lap pool, a health club-quality fitness center, tennis, and lots of meeting space. Rates are competitive, but hefty resort fees can add up. The nearby, four-pearl Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade offers lower rates and many comparable amenities, but its outdoor pool is smaller and it doesn’t have a spa.
The four-pearl Eilan Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, is a beautiful destination resort hotel in San Antonio’s tony northern suburbs. While the location might feel a bit isolated for those without a car, there are several restaurants and top attractions like Six Flags Fiesta a brief drive away. Its 165 rooms are spacious and upscale, with 24-hour room service, Keurig coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms. Highlights include a huge outdoor pool, a spa with indoor lap pool, a health club-quality fitness center, tennis, and lots of meeting space. Rates are competitive, but hefty resort fees can add up. The nearby, four-pearl Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade offers lower rates and many comparable amenities, but its outdoor pool is smaller and it doesn’t have a spa.
