Element Hotel - Houston [Master Thread]
Sep 20, 2010 | 4:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,589
Element Hotel - Houston [Master Thread]
I didn't see another thread for this hotel, so...
This was remarkable for being a Houston hotel...out in the woods. There's a shopping center (sparsely populated at present) and a widely spread out business park adjacent, but there are also a h*lluva lot of trees.
I visited on a low occupancy night, so parking was abundant and crowds were non-existent in the fitness center (nice, modern, large) and at breakfast (apples, bagels, some non-vegetarian wrap things that I didn't try but that looked pretty good, smoothies, decent coffee).
Two computer terminals and a printer. Wi-fi and DSL cable were free and worked well.
Kiosk for check-in, check-out, duplicate keys. Nice.
The "green" theme was just about everywhere. Liquid soap/shampoo dispensers in the shower, but a bar of soap on the counter.
At check-in I was told that I'd been upgraded to a room with a kitchen
. I turned out to be smaller than the one I'd had the night before at Dallas/Irving. But it was clean and functional. The kitchen was well-stocked with utensils, well-applicanced, and well-laid out.
The bed didn't impede my sleep.
This was remarkable for being a Houston hotel...out in the woods. There's a shopping center (sparsely populated at present) and a widely spread out business park adjacent, but there are also a h*lluva lot of trees.
I visited on a low occupancy night, so parking was abundant and crowds were non-existent in the fitness center (nice, modern, large) and at breakfast (apples, bagels, some non-vegetarian wrap things that I didn't try but that looked pretty good, smoothies, decent coffee).
Two computer terminals and a printer. Wi-fi and DSL cable were free and worked well.
Kiosk for check-in, check-out, duplicate keys. Nice.
The "green" theme was just about everywhere. Liquid soap/shampoo dispensers in the shower, but a bar of soap on the counter.
At check-in I was told that I'd been upgraded to a room with a kitchen
. I turned out to be smaller than the one I'd had the night before at Dallas/Irving. But it was clean and functional. The kitchen was well-stocked with utensils, well-applicanced, and well-laid out.The bed didn't impede my sleep.
Sep 20, 2010 | 6:35 pm
#2
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
Join Date: May 2007
Location: So Paulo, BR/Miami Beach, FL/NYC/DXB
Programs: HGP DMD, HHonors DMD, SPG PLT, MR PLT
Posts: 2,295
At check-in I was told that I'd been upgraded to a room with a kitchen . I turned out to be smaller than the one I'd had the night before at Dallas/Irving. But it was clean and functional. The kitchen was well-stocked with utensils, well-applicanced, and well-laid out.
. I turned out to be smaller than the one I'd had the night before at Dallas/Irving. But it was clean and functional. The kitchen was well-stocked with utensils, well-applicanced, and well-laid out.
Sep 21, 2010 | 9:02 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,589
Ah! Thanks for the clarification. I've only done two Element stays, and, apparently, I got full-kitchen treatment both times. Thanks, Element/SPG.
By the way, I think I implied it in my original post, but just to be clear, this place is a long way from downtown Houston. If you're doing something nearby or have a car (and heaps of time and change for the Tollway), it's a fine choice. If you're sightseeing (in Houston?), maybe not.
By the way, I think I implied it in my original post, but just to be clear, this place is a long way from downtown Houston. If you're doing something nearby or have a car (and heaps of time and change for the Tollway), it's a fine choice. If you're sightseeing (in Houston?), maybe not.
Oct 4, 2010 | 2:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: ECExec, SPGTitanium,, UAPlat
Posts: 430
Disappointmenting experience
Recently stayed at this property. Hubby and I are SPG owners and elite members. My room #322, overlooked power poles and a drainage ditch. AC didn't work properly, they did send up maintenance. The property was booked with multiple youth soccer teams. Coffee and tea are available 24/7, a nice perk, but due to soccer kids, breakfast was picked over. The door to my room didn't latch securely without pushing or pulling it closed. Called FD and requested to mark my room as "going green". The following day while I was shopping, housekeeping entered my room, threw away all the ice in the ice maker and removed the items out of my refrigerator. This scared me!
Called FD and went to front desk to speak with Manager, Tim. He didn't seem to care about the events mentioned above and/or about my safety. He simply asked me if I placed my "do not disturb" sign on the outside of door? He offered nothing, no room change, no compensation of any kind. I immediately checked out! I must have been there on a bad day.
Here is the response I received
Dear Guest,
It is very unfortunate that your experience at Element was less than perfect. Your review was most disturbing for our entire staff. We feel that you might not have been completely accurate in your review. The staff did not steal your items out of your refrigerator, rather they were left in your original guest room when you moved to your second room. Subsequently the original guest room was cleaned for a new guest. Secondly, when you spoke to Mr. Douglas he offered SPG points or other compensation for your stay for which you replied that it "was not necessary". We certainly do not allow theft of any kind in our hotel. Every single associate at our hotel is subject to a background screening and drug testing. Additionally, we are the only hotel in the area that pays for full time security for our guests. We again are very sorry that you did not enjoy your stay at Element.
Live well,
The Staff of the Element Houston Vintage Park
Called FD and went to front desk to speak with Manager, Tim. He didn't seem to care about the events mentioned above and/or about my safety. He simply asked me if I placed my "do not disturb" sign on the outside of door? He offered nothing, no room change, no compensation of any kind. I immediately checked out! I must have been there on a bad day.
Here is the response I received
Dear Guest,
It is very unfortunate that your experience at Element was less than perfect. Your review was most disturbing for our entire staff. We feel that you might not have been completely accurate in your review. The staff did not steal your items out of your refrigerator, rather they were left in your original guest room when you moved to your second room. Subsequently the original guest room was cleaned for a new guest. Secondly, when you spoke to Mr. Douglas he offered SPG points or other compensation for your stay for which you replied that it "was not necessary". We certainly do not allow theft of any kind in our hotel. Every single associate at our hotel is subject to a background screening and drug testing. Additionally, we are the only hotel in the area that pays for full time security for our guests. We again are very sorry that you did not enjoy your stay at Element.
Live well,
The Staff of the Element Houston Vintage Park
