Houston, TX, USA – September 10, 2018: The Marriott Marquis is a Four Diamond hotel located in downtown Houston and features a Texas-shaped pool, five restaurants and great views from every angle.Joe Hendrickson
1777 Walker St., (713) 654-1777
Adjacent to downtown’s George R. Brown Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis has another 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including Houston’s largest ballroom. Often referred to as the city’s top hotel, it caters to business travelers and pleasure seekers alike, with the world’s largest lazy river on its roof. If you don’t think that’s something anyone can brag about then you haven’t spent enough time in the state.
1100 Texas Ave., (713) 221-0011
An affordable lodging option located in the former Shell Oil headquarters, this renovated downtown hotel offers quick access to the convention center and Daikin Park, which the Astros call home. You may not be able to paddle around the rooftop plunge pool like you would at the Marquis, but a quick, refreshing dip at the end of the day won’t disappoint, and free cookies at bedtime.
Courtesy of Bunkhouse Hotels
4110 Loretto Dr., (832) 844-0057
This new, mid-century-inspired gem can be found in the Montrose neighborhood, a block away from the Menil Collection, arguably the city’s best and most sophisticated museum. The boutique property consists of only 71 rooms and is designed to fit in with its surroundings, which are residential and very low-key compared to the rough city. Despite its small size, it still has room for a small event space, a private pool, and a relaxing lounge.
111 N Post Oak Ln., (713) 680-2626
The Houstonian occupies a large 27-acre property in Houston’s West Oaks neighborhood, just outside the Loop. Despite its central location, the hotel offers a level of privacy you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Perhaps that’s why George HW Bush used this hotel as his official residence in the 1980s and spent time here decades later. The 125,000-square-foot spa is also the largest in the state.
2222 W Loop S, (713) 627-7600
Another hotel in the Galleria area, this is a great all-around option for business travelers who need executive-focused amenities like access to a 24-hour business and fitness center, shuttle service, and meeting and event space (all 50,000 square feet of it). With 485 guest rooms on 23 floors, there’s likely to be room for your entire party to find a week’s lodging.
Where You Will Work
Houston has plenty of co-working spaces, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find something close to where you live. As with most things in this city, travel time is an important consideration. These picks may be some of the best options in town, but no sane Houstonian would recommend spending an hour in traffic to get to one of them when another solid option is nearby.
Courtesy of POST
401 Franklin St., (713) 999-2550
Named after the former post office that used to occupy this Museum District space (it was a train depot before that), POST was redeveloped in 2019 as a cultural center that includes a food hall restaurant, an art museum, a concert hall, and a rooftop garden. It also has a number of workspace options ranging from single desks to full offices, with day passes starting at $25.
4201 Main St.
Rice University helped develop the Ion District, which occupies 16 acres in Midtown and serves as a technology park and technology and energy innovation center, and now includes the largest climate and sustainable energy incubator in the country. Activity passes (starting at $60/day) give you access to many local networking events as well as snacks and coffee.
1430 Yale St., (832) 203-5115
This boutique office space is perfect for those doing business in the Heights, with amenities including an on-site notary, conference room rentals, and virtual office options for those who need a local address in the city. Multiple usage options are available from $25 day passes to $359 monthly memberships (including free conference room access).
Where to Get Coffee
Yes, there are almost 200 Starbucks in the greater Houston area, and while you’re welcome to visit them or any other chain of companies to pick them up, these locations offer a more refined (and independent) experience that, if nothing else, will help you impress your business associates with your sophisticated palate.
3201 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 170
8410 wow. 90 ALT, Bldg. B, Sugar Land, (346) 368-2895
Blendin specializes in sourcing coffee from unique locations with a “tree to tree” philosophy, meaning your cup (or bag of beans) will likely come from a single farm in Panama, Ethiopia, Burundi, or somewhere far away. Put yourself in the hands of a barista at one of two locations to help you find the perfect base for your latte.
1018 Westheimer Rd.
At this popular coffee shop with a full menu, it’s best if you pair your Vietnamese matcha or Golden Monkey tea with a delicious brunch, like a smoked salmon scramble or crispy biscuits topped with smoked meat. Skip lunch to get a seat.
