And now the moment we've all been waiting for,
a pictorial of the Club Intercontinental Lounge at IC Houston MC on level 18.
Views are on NRG stadium & South Main Street and one can look over the roof of the DoubleTree hotel
More info : https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35238518-post11.html

The layout is in the form of the letter U.
It is not a very big space.
Max occupancy at 94 persons
The lounge has several board games / books and 2 TVs.
It has its own restrooms and a PC nook.


Sitting area with books and boardgames





Universal charger station




PC + laserprinter in alcove : opposite of the restrooms



A bit unclear but on a bright day one can see all the way to past the Beltway to the Parkway




Looking into the main dining area,
left friendly Mrs. Heidi at work during breakfast hours weekdays,
she kept the buffet stocked & tidy, cleaned every table after use
- all by herself alone - kudos for keeping the lounge a comfy place

Note: all hot food comes from the kitchen of restaurant Safina so any special orders will take some time




Looking back to the sitting area
You meet a lot of regulars for medical services at certain times



The other end of the U-shaped lounge

Sitting area at the end of the lounge
Right door is the pantry



So what's always available when the lounge is open?



Fresh fruit






Coffeemachine (also to go)





Condiments : to go is possible






Bottles of water : you can also get these at the gym
Or housekeeping will restock those daily if you opted in at receotion with daily room cleaning





Cookies / nut bars / haribo / nuts snack mix






Softdrinks cabinet










Let's continue with breakfast,

Club Lounge is everyday open for breakfast buffet:
weekdays 6.30 till 10.30 H
weekends 7.00 till 11.00 H

The breakfast F&B presentation is every day a combination of cold items and hot items



Bagels & bakery items






Cold items such as smoked salmon






Orange juice, jams and butter





Peeled hard boiled eggs
The club lounge is the only place in the hotel that does bowls of healthy forest fruit






Yoghurt and different types of milk: full cream, 2%, skimmed no fat, almond, soy, oat .....






Hot oatmeal and condiments





The warm selection presentation





Scrambled eggs : any specific egg can be requested but as it comes from the restaurant downstairs it could take a while





The non- kosher section: Pork Sausages and Bacon




Chicken apple sausages





Left: spiced habanero potatoes | right: fried jalepeno tofu


Lounge Breakfast should cover all tastes, we had no problems during our stay.
Restaurant Safina downstairs has a more basic mass selection but has direct access to a live egg station.



Let's go onwards with hors d'ouevres & drinks
daily from 17.00 - 19.00 H
- cold buffet with rotating items
- every day 3 rotating hot items on the buffet

Alcoholic drinks are available put can only be served one glass at a time
(local Houston & Texan liquor laws)

As mentioned in the previous post upthread:
during weekdays every table has the drinks menu visible,
during weekends one can find it posted on the pantry door
or it will be given to you if you take a seat
(local Houston & Texan Liquor laws)

The lounge host will (generous) pour you a glass of your drink of choice but no bottles or self service possible
(again local Houston & Texan Liquor laws)


And now on to the nibbles ....

Rotating cold items presentation 1





Rotating cold items presentation 2






Rotating cold items presentation 3






Rotating cold items presentation 4


And now we have a look at some of the rotating hot items that are available.
Every day 3 different hot items appear.

This is a sample what we encountered.

Chicken popcorn




Samosas




Cheese soufflés ravioli



Filled Puffs



Fried shrimp in batter



Chicken curried satay


And about 18.55 H, the lounge host will come by everyone's table to inform that the buffet will be closing soon
and now is the time to have any last help,
also they will pour you a last alcoholic beverage of your choice.


Buffet being closed


VERDICT:
For those that are unable to leave the hotel or are taking it easy to recovery & rest wise after medical related activities,
The Club Intercontinental Lounge provides a comfortable place with friendly hospitality where the lounge host remembers your preferences and recognises the regular returning guests.

Breakfast is a great positive, one can easily suffice with the offering to have a good start of the day.
Mrs. Heidi is every morning the cheery sunshine.

During hors d'ouevres & drinks,
one can fill up your stomach if you are peckish or in for a nibble,
it is not a complete dinner substitute if you are expecting an all you can eat buffet ...
however the ability to still self serve your own choice of hot items is appreciated,
( we all know the infamous IHG corporate directive prepandemic,
where suddenly the hot items buffet was enhanced away for the 3 hot tidbits canapés platter to be served )


We met a gentleman from Alabama whom said the Doubletree next door does have rooms with kitchens but the place could use with a revamp refurbishment because it felt musty and dingy. He appreciated the newer rooms of the IC Houston Medical Centre and the convenience of having a Club Lounge that is open and well kept.


And well, nobody can say no to the generous pours of the adult beverages between 17 - 19 H