jtp1947

The J W was very nice. We were given a room on the 20th floor and the lounge is on the 22nd floor. One robe in the room and bottled water supplied everyday. The room had a small desk and a nice big, modern one sink bathroom with a large shower and no tub. We had buffet breakfast in the restaurant as the lounge is closed on weekends. Eggs to order and the typical breakfast accompaniments. During the week the lounge was quite busy at breakfast. Typical breakfast fare along with cold cuts and cheese. Everything promptly replenished if needed. The staff was very friendly. At night the lounge offered three or 4 hot dishes along with sandwiches, fruit, salad, cheese, crackers, and raw vegetables. Pour your own alcohol and fill out the slip. The first floor bar area was very nice and huge. It also had four or 5 alcoves with seating for 8 with a big screen T V in each alcove along with a remote to watch whatever you wanted. Was the hotel luxurious, no, but it is a cat. 5 and a good use of a certificate and the weekend rates are low. I would definitely stay there again. Be sure and check your folio before leaving. There was a room service charge on our folio that was not ours. It was removed with no problem. Parking was $25 a night. Lots of traffic on the weekend due to being directly across the street from the Galleria. Be sure and try one of the Pappasito's restaurants if you like mexican food, especially the fajitas. The Pappas brothers also have seafood/steak/bar-b-q restaurants but did not try them.

CHOPCHOP767

JTP1947, I think, based upon your review, that you are describing the JW Marriott Houston located on Westheimer (Galleria), and not the JW Marriott Houston Downtown located on Main Street (Downtown).

The JW Downtown's 'Griffin Lounge' on the 11th floor is open for breakfast on the weekends (07:30 to 10:30), but not evening snacks. Also, the JW Downtown does not have an honor bar, but rather a lounge attendant to make drinks (prices are steep too).

Just got back from there on Sunday and heading back on Thursday (weather permitting). Worked through the weekend on this visit and I can say that, at least last weekend, it's definitely a much different crowd from Monday to Friday one. Still, I love this property. With the exception of the bar staff, everyone is absolutely gracious and hospitable.

Finally, they've recently swapped out the old hotel "shuttle", a Porsche Cayenne, for a Tesla Model X, with a custom paint job ("JW Marriott Downtown"). Great marketing move. When we took the 'shuttle' to the Pit Room for dinner, people in the parking lot were taking pictures of the car. They definitely weren't taking pictures of the tax attorneys exiting the car LOL

robhakari

Just finished a stay here. The lounge was nice, but having stayed at the JW Downtown Houston last week, it felt very small. The hotel is currently undergoing a massive renovation of the whole first floor area, so check in is on the second floor. Booked a regular king, and (as a plat) was upgraded to a corner king. The hotel was fully sold out, so I didn't expect more than that. Consistently had problems with my key cards on the elevators. Didn't have time to use it, but did check out the fitness center - it actually had a full weight rack which is nice and uncommon.

Only weird issue: at 6:30am I woke due to a loud knocking on the door and then heard a key card activate the lock. Thankfully the latch caught the door and kept it from opening. After yelling a very confused "hello?!", they said "Security... we're delivering a package." I yelled to let me put some clothes on, and they then apologized and said they were at the wrong room. I called the front desk because I wasn't sure what the heck had happened and if it was actually hotel staff or someone else. It ended up being hotel staff who indeed were at the wrong room, at 6:30 a.m. They gave me 10k points without me even asking for anything, I don't really have any complaints with that since i wasn't looking for compensation.

AYellowBelly

Couldn't find the Master Thread for this despite searching FT.

Does anyone have the email address for this property? It's 2022; I don't want to have to call them.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

Hi AYellowBelly,

You may contact the hotel via [email protected]

Best Regards,

Christina Z
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International

[email protected]

nasc90

In my experience, for the rate the JW charges, you'll be better off booking at the Westin Post Oak, or the other one attached with the Galleria. Traffic and parking is a nightmare in the whole area, but you can avoid a lot of charges by just staying within the Galleria itself. Be advised the Sheraton Suites just around the corner was under renovation and will be independent of the Marriott umbrella soon, if not already.

ElevatorEnthusiast

I agree with this, especially if you are parking a car - the JW, Westin Galleria, and Westin Oaks often charge similar rates. However, self parking at both of the Westins is free, while you have to pay at the JW. The one benefit of the JW is the Internet TV OS. Regardless, I've had nice stays at all three but usually preferred the Westins. I often stayed at either of the Westins every weekend during peak COVID - they became a home away from home (Galleria has nicer but fewer suites for upgrades than Oaks, but Oaks has four suites per floor).

AYellowBelly

Got a bounceback when trying this email address.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

You may send us a PM with your name, contact way and your inquiry so we can help you to share to hotel.

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Best Regards,

Abbey L
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International

wahoyaho

What's the breakfast benefit here for elites? Is lounge still open?

lsquare

I'm guessing this isn't a popular hotel on FT?

What's the breakfast and elite recognition like? Is there a lounge with an evening food spread?

How long is the walk to the Galleria?

Is this a fairly new hotel given the age of this thread?

ElevatorEnthusiast

This is an old hotel that has been here since I was born (I think). It used to be an Intercontinental and was built in 1984. It's been a JW since at least the early 2000s. The walk to the Galleria is across a single street - them you can enter via Saks Fifth Avenue (closest entrance).
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lsquare

When was the last time it got renovated?

ElevatorEnthusiast

It looks like either this year or last as it looks nothing like the rooms did in 2020 and 2021 when I last stayed here. The website also has the "Fully Renovated" badge.

lsquare

Yea, I asked you because your post is contradicted by the hotel website. Hopefully, there are USB ports.