Today, I wanted to spend some time sharing my honest thoughts and impressions about staying at the Marriott Marquis Houston Hotel.
I was in Houston recently for a conference and stayed at this hotel downtown for 5 nights.
Overall I had a positive experience, however there were some ups and downs.
Since you’re considering staying here too, I’ll try to paint a detailed picture so you know exactly what to expect!
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What to Expect During Arrival
Let me start at the beginning. It’s one of the tallest buildings in downtown Houston at 28 stories. The Marriott Marquis is conveniently located right in the middle of everything – near the convention center, sports arenas, theaters and plenty of restaurants. It’s definitely in a busy part of the city.
Valet parking was quick and hassle-free, and the bellmen who unloaded my bags were polite and helpful. Stepping into the lobby, I noticed how sleek, elegant, and sophisticated the atmosphere felt.
There were floor-to-ceiling windows showing panoramic views of the cityscape. The decor was very contemporary and upscale. Lots of gleaming marble, chrome accents, and neutral tones.
There was constant activity in the lobby with people coming and going from meetings and events. I could tell the hotel caters heavily to business conferences, weddings, and formal functions. Despite the crowds, checking in at the front desk was efficient. The staff members I interacted with were professional and welcoming.
Within five minutes, I had my room keys in hand and was headed to the elevator banks to find my room. The elevators were plentiful and speedy, so I didn’t have to wait long.
Guest Rooms Experiences
I was staying in a Deluxe Corner King room on one of the higher floors. My first impressions upon entering the room were that it looked very sleek and modern, but also a bit impersonal.
The color scheme was gray, white and yellow – very neutral and non-offensive. The furnishings were contemporary and comfortable, but lacking any real Texas charm or personality. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just felt more generic than I expected. The room was spotless and everything felt brand new.
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Some of the amenities I enjoyed included:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with scenic city views
- A large HD TV with plenty of channels
- A well-lit desk area for working
- Fast and reliable WiFi
- A mini-fridge and coffee maker
- Plenty of outlets for charging devices
- A cleanly tiled and well-lit bathroom with luxe toiletries
The mattress and bedding were good quality and I slept comfortably every night. I appreciated that the room was well soundproofed from outside noise. The thermostat was also easy to adjust and maintained temperature well.
Amenities Around the Hotel
Let’s talk about the public areas and amenities of the hotel, which in my opinion are the real star of the show! Here were some of the highlights:
Unique Texas-Shaped Lazy River
Hands down, my favorite hotel amenity was the Texas-shaped lazy river up on the rooftop. I honestly have never experienced anything like it at another hotel! Let me set the scene for you…
The rooftop deck has an actual river shaped exactly like Texas – complete with curves, points, and all. The river surrounds a large, multi-tier pool with ample lounge chairs, cabanas, and shady areas. You can rent an inner tube and relax as you gently float along the river, soaking up the spectacular views of downtown Houston. I could have floated around that river for hours! It was the ultimate way to relax.
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The pool area was definitely lively and sometimes crowded. But floating in my tube felt peaceful, almost meditative. The water was clean, clear, and just the right temperature. This is an amenity I’ve raved about to all my friends and family. Kudos to the hotel for creating such a unique, quintessentially Texan experience!
Infinity Pool
Right next to the lazy river is an infinity pool – also located on the rooftop deck. This pool feels sleek, sophisticated, and almost exotic, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and sparkling city views.
I went for a swim every morning before conferences and it was the most wonderful way to start my day! The water was perfectly maintained. Swimming laps with that gorgeous skyline behind me made me feel like I was in a luxury resort.
State-of-the-Art Fitness Center
With all the delicious food I was eating in Houston, I knew I better balance it out with some workouts!
Thankfully, the hotel has a huge fitness center that guests can use 24/7 with their room keys. I was impressed by how much equipment they had:
- Treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, rowing machines
- Weight machines, cable machines, plenty of free weights
- Exercise balls, foam rollers, yoga mats
- A stretching area
- A separate room for studio classes
- Flat screen TVs
- Towels, filtered water, headphones
The fitness center felt clean, modern, and welcoming – not cramped or stuffy like some hotel gyms.
I never had to wait to use a machine, even at busy morning times. There’s also a sauna in the locker room to relax in post-workout. I’m happy I could maintain my workout routine and not just gain a “conference 15!”
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Relaxing Spa Treatment
When I needed some pampering and stress relief, I booked a massage at the on-site spa – the Pure Spa Houston. The atmosphere just walking in felt ultra luxurious between the mood lighting, soothing music and aromatherapy.
My massage therapist was so talented and I walked out feeling like a whole new person. I wish I’d booked more treatments!
This is definitely a full-service spa where you can spend the whole day relaxing. Next time I’ll have to plan a mani/pedi and facial day. They have separate men’s and women’s lounges where you can hang out before and after treatments.
The locker rooms were gorgeous with amenities like steam rooms, whirlpools, plush robes and slippers. A wonderful place to unwind.
Enjoying the Diverse Restaurant Options
Whenever I’m traveling, I love exploring new restaurants. The Marriott Marquis has six different restaurants and bars to appeal to any craving. Here were my impressions:
Ciscos – This was my go-to spot. An upscale sports bar with tasty breakfasts like stuffed French toast and southwestern omelets. Their lunch and dinner menus were excellent too – sophisticated pub fare like brisket sliders, fish and chips, chimichangas. Yum!
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Texas T – I enjoyed the live music and Southern vibe here. Their menu focuses on Texas specialities like fried alligator, queso, chicken fried steak, and pecan pie. Delicious!
High Dive – This rooftop bar has insane views! I came for sunset cocktails and small bites like street tacos. Vibey ambiance and massive drink menu.
3 Sixty – Their claim to fame is global cuisine served tapas style. Hand-crafted cocktails too. Felt sleek and cosmopolitan. Great for a special night out.
I didn’t get a chance to try Founders Grill or Starbucks, but they’re both located off the lobby. There truly is dining for every taste and budget. If you venture outside the hotel, some of Houston’s top restaurants are just a short walk or Uber ride away.
Lots of variety!
Areas for Improvement
I want to share some constructive feedback too, because no hotel is absolutely perfect.
Here are a few areas I think could be improved at the Marriott Marquis Houston:
- The room furnishings felt a bit dated and lacking in local flavor. Minor updates could make rooms feel more luxe.
- More attention to detail – buttons were loose on the TV remote, and I noticed scuffs on walls in the hallways.
- Service was hit or miss with staff. Some went above and beyond, while others seemed aloof. More consistency is needed.
- The room service menu was very limited and expensive. More affordable options for in-room dining would be nice.
- The lazy river setup is not handicap friendly. Adding wheelchair lifts could improve accessibility.
Final Verdict
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed my time at the hotel. The amenities like the lazy river, infinity pool, spa, and restaurants made for a fun and indulgent experience. The convenience of the location cannot be beat.
That said, the room itself felt a bit generic and impersonal given the price point. The service was hit or miss at times. Though some staff members went above and beyond, others seemed disconnected. I expected top-notch service across the board for a luxury brand hotel.
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