I have stayed at a number of Houston area Marriott and Hilton Hotels in the past 4 months and thought that a review of some of these properties was in order to give other FT'ers heads up on some of the properties. The Marriott’s are below.

As with any post on FlyerTalk…your mileage may vary.

Marriott Houston Hobby Airport
Hobby Airport Houston

Pros
5 Minutes from Hobby if you have an early flight or clients nearby. If you are lucky enough to get to hotel early be sure to ask for a room facing away from the freeway. These rooms are very quiet

Cons
This property is an older Marriott that has had a few refittings (like the Old Starship Enterprise) over the years. But is right on (literally) the 45 freeway and on 3 sides of the building is extremely noisy. The hotel has an old style open atrium and that also contributes a bit to the noise in your room. Like all properties near Hobby, there is not much in the way of upscale (just down low scale) restaurants in the immediate area. The best bet when staying at a property in the Hobby airport area is to head 5 miles south to the i45 South - Sam Houston Beltway or to Bay area Blvd 3 miles further south on the 45 to find a great choice of restaurants and shopping etc.

Recognition of Status
Was given an upgrade to a suite on the concierge floor without asking. The staff also smiles and greets you by last name. This should be the norm for so called “elites” at the full service properties but is so rare that I take notice when it occurs.

Other
Internet was 9.95 for 24 hours Wireless access.
Platinums get access to free internet in the Business Lounge. Parking is free at this hotel. As elite you get access to the Concierge lounge which has a rather limited selection for evening snack and breakfast



SpringHill Suites Houston Hobby Airport
Hobby Airport Houston

Pros
5 minutes from Hobby.


Cons
Where shall I start. Well you get what you book (or pay for) in this life. This Spring Hill Suites was absolutely nasty. As can be expected at this type of property..upkeep and maintenance are not top priorities.

Recognition of Status
The front desk staff sees so few Platinums here that they looked at me like I was an alien (Beam Me up Scotty) and did not upgrade me to a larger nastier room. This was actually a good thing since I escaped from this property the next morning and staying in a smaller room made it less likely that I would get bed bugs in my luggage etc

Other
Free Wireless Internet and parking as with nearly all non Full Service Marriott Properties. I would not let my pooch eat at this property so I can't comment on the breakfast.

Courtyard Houston Hobby Airport
Hobby Airport Houston

Pros
5 minutes from Hobby. Inner Courtyard rooms are actually pretty quiet. (This property is 2 doors down from Spring Hill Suites and is about 500 yards down from the Marriott Houston Hobby Airport.

Cons
The walls are paper thin at this property. I heard the guy next to my room the one night I was there sawing down the Brazilian Rainforest while he slept. Like all properties near Hobby, there Is not much in the way of upscale (just down low scale) restaurants in the immediate area. The Best bet when staying at a property in the Hobby airport area is to head 5 miles south to the i45 South - Sam Houston Beltway or to Bay area Blvd 3 miles further south on the 45 to find a great choice of restaurants and shopping etc.

Recognition of Status
Was upgraded to the largest room available facing the Courtyard after asking. Front Desk staff was very professional and courteous.

Other
Free Wired Internet and parking as with nearly all non Full Service Marriott Properties. Breakfast was serviceable.


Renaissance Houston Hotel Greenway Plaza
West Houston not far from Galleria or Rice University

Pros
A bit closer if working or visiting downtown than the hotels in the Galleria area. Right Next to Lakewood Church (former Compaq Center) if visiting to see Joel Osteen. You have to drive to get to them but there are tons of restaurants, theatres etc in the area. The hotel itself was built as a convention hotel and as a result is not really warm or cozy. but it is maintained well and the rooms are clean

Cons
The property is a 1970’s era hotel with an all glass Facade. As you can imagine this property can get very noisy during evening or morning rush hour with traffic on the 59. Also other than Lakewood Church, there is nothing within walking distance of this property. Most guests at this property drive but that is quite a hassle to have to go down to get your rental car each time you want to get something to eat etc.

Recognition of Status
Had a Marriott Rewards Check in area that was staffed when I arrived at property. Was upgraded to a large corner suite without asking at this hotel.

Other
Wireless Internet was 9.95 per day. Self Parking was 9.00 per day


Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria
Galleria Area just west of the Loop 610

Pros
Like most hotels in the Galleria area the main Pro is that it is close to Galleria Mall and to the 610 and i59 freeways.

Cons
The proximity of this property to the 610 is its major downfall. The windows at this property are just not thick enough to cut down on the constant din of cars and trucks on the freeway. Even rooms that are far back from the freeway are extremely noisy. Unlike the other hotels that are along the 610 in this part of Houston, this hotel is not perpendicular to the freeway but is at an angle. Thus ALL of the rooms get the full blast of freeway noise. With that being the case I can not in clear conscience recommend this hotel
(unless you happen to be hard of hearing or sleep like a hibernating bear) to fellow FTers and would recommend instead the full service JW Marriot
about 2 miles west of this hotel on Westheimer.

Recognition of Status
Got an upgrade to a corner room (Which was so noisy I had to sleep with my Bose headphones on at night) on my first stay. On subsequent stays I have had issues even getting a room on the concierge level and have had to ask for and then wait for the front desk staff to find a room on the higher floors. Always given access to concierge lounge which has friendly staff but slim pickings for both the evening meal and breakfast

Other
Internet access is 9:00 per day and parking is 12:00 per day I believe. (someone correct me on the parking if incorrect)