Houston, TX, USA – September 10, 2018:
The Marriott Marquis is a four-diamond hotel located in downtown Houston and features a Texas-sized pool, five restaurants and sweeping views from all angles. Joe Hendrickson
1777 Walker St, (713) 654-1777
Adjacent to the heart of the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis has 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including Houston’s largest ballroom. Often cited as the top hotel in town, it caters to business travellers and pleasure seekers alike, famously featuring the world’s largest Texas-shaped lazy river on its rooftop. If you don’t think that’s something to brag about, you haven’t spent enough time in the state.
1100 Texas Ave., (713) 221-0011
A more affordable lodging option in what was formerly Shell Oil’s headquarters, this renovated downtown hotel offers quick access to the convention centre and Daikin Park, home of the Astros. You might not be able to paddle in the rooftop plunge pool like you can at the Marquis, but a quick, cool dip at the end of the day won’t disappoint, and neither will the free cookies at bedtime.
Courtesy of Bunk House Hotel
4110 Loretto Dr, (832) 844-0057
This new, mid-century-inspired gem can be found in the Montrose neighbourhood, just a block away from the Mennell Collection, the city’s finest and most eclectic museum. The boutique property includes just 71 rooms and has been designed to fit in with its surroundings, which are mostly residential and very subdued compared to the city centre. Despite its small size, it still has room for a small event space, a private pool, and a smart lobby lounge.
111 N Post Oak Ln. (713) 680-2626
Just outside the Loop, Houston’s 27 acres are in the West Oaks district. Despite its central location, the hotel offers a level of seclusion you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Perhaps this is why George HW Bush used the hotel as his official residence in the 1980s and spent time here for decades afterward. 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 option for business travellers who need executive-focused amenities like 24-hour business and fitness centre access, shuttle service, and meeting and event space (all 50,000 square feet of it). With 485 guestrooms on its 23 floors, there’s probably a place for your entire group to find a berth for the week.
Where to work.
Houston has hundreds of coworking spaces, so you should find one near where you’re staying. As with most things in this city, travel time is an important consideration. These choices may be some of the best options in the city, but no sane Houstonian would recommend spending an hour in traffic to get to one of them if there’s another solid option nearby.
Thanks to POST
401 Franklin St, (713) 999-2550
Named after the former post office that occupies the site of this museum district (it was previously a railroad depot), POST was redeveloped in 2019 as a cultural centre that includes food hall-style dining, an art museum, a concert hall, and a rooftop garden. It also has 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 spans 16 acres in Midtown and serves as a technology park and innovation centre for technology and energy companies and now includes the nation’s largest climate and sustainable energy incubator. Coworking passes (starting at $60/day) provide you with access to the venue’s extensive networking events, plus snacks and coffee.
1430 Yale St, (832) 203-5115
This boutique office space is ideal for those doing business in the Heights, with amenities including on-site notary, conference room rentals, and virtual office options for those who need a physical address in the city. Several usage options are available from a $25 day pass to a $359 monthly membership (which includes free conference room access).
Where will the coffee come from?
Yes, there are nearly 200 Starbucks in the greater Houston area, and while you’re welcome to visit them or another corporate chain for your pick-me-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, City 170
8410 Hwy 90 ALT, Bldg B, Sugar Land, (346) 368-2895
Blendin focuses on sourcing coffee from unique locations with a “tree to cup” philosophy, meaning your cup (or bag of beans) is likely to come from a single farm in Panama, Ethiopia, Burundi, or beyond. 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 charming local coffee shop with a full menu, you’d be better off pairing your Vietnamese matcha or Golden Monkey tea with a hearty brunch, like smoked salmon scrambles or scratch biscuits topped with smoked ham. Skip lunch to make room.
