Originally Posted by
bhrubin
As I’m the only person who’s posted here,
I wonder if anyone else on FT does stay here?
I happened to mention to my Houston friends that, despite loving the St Regis location and service, I might consider trying out a downtown stay at either the FS or JW in the future. They all unanimously told me to keep staying here at the StR. Everyone concurred that the JW was very corporate and bland and lacked any sense of luxury service, and eveyone agreed just as much that the FS was still tired and dated (and oddly orange) despite its recent renovation—and that I’d still prefer the StR. So it looks like I’ll continue to stay here at the StR!
Speaking as a Houston resident, the St. Regis location is both a blessing and a curse. Traffic on the freeway near there is horrific most daylight hours, especially now with the recent road construction (which will continue for the next couple years). Also the hotel is a common location for political donation dinners, so it's not uncommon for the area to get gridlocked if You Know Who or Vice YKW is in town for it.
I suppose it's about what you like. Your 2 reviews, you seem to enjoy the creature comforts of the StR, preset AC, having room service, etc. The JW Downtown is in a fantastic location, as is the still relatively new Marriott Marquis. I don't doubt that they lack the StR service level, but if you spend time out of your room walking to dinner, meetings, etc. they are both better located and probably a better fit for that type of traveler. As for the Four Seasons, I stayed there a few years ago for a night and dated is definitely a good one word description. It's also in an odd corner of Downtown.
Not sure if it had been mentioned, but this hotel
actually was a Ritz Carlton back in the 90s, and a dispute between the hotel owner and Marriott caused it to leave the chain and it later became a Luxury Collection hotel before becoming the St. Regis.