Hotels in Houston

Getting around Houston

Houston has a dense public transportation network. MetroRail and Metro buses offer easy connectivity and operate on a good frequency. A Metro Day Pass costs just $3.00 USD for unlimited use of buses and light rail service. Taxis are easily available at cab stands or ‘hailing cab’ sign posts across the city. You also have the option of a flat fare of $6.00 USD per trip within the Central Business District, bound by Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. 59. A ride-share option is available through Uber. To shuttle between the nightlife areas in Montrose, Downtown, Uptown Rice Village, and Washington Avenue corridor, use The Wave service which is a hybrid between a taxi, limo, and public bus. Enjoy free transportation at popular destinations within Downtown Houston on the Greenlink Buses from Monday – Friday between 6.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. With the city’s BCycle bike-share program, you can unlock a bike for $3.00 USD per 30 minutes from any of the bike stations across the city.

Best time to visit Houston

Houston experiences warm weather almost all-year-round. From February – April and September – November, the weather is slightly more pleasant with average highs of 70 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of the key events and festivals that Houston hosts also take place during this time of the year. In peak summer, the temperatures can soar up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you can brave the heat and humidity, then you may be able to get some deals and discounts on hotels during this time. From December – January, temperatures can drop to around 40 – 45 degrees Fahrenheit after the sun goes down, so make sure you carry some warm clothing if you are visiting during these months.

Best places to stay in Houston

The home of NASA, ’Space City’ Houston is also home to a thriving arts scene and internationally-acclaimed cuisines. The city’s varied and vibrant neighborhoods offer a wide range of accommodation options from luxury to boutique to mid-range and budget. You may want to consider keeping a tighter budget for accommodation to enjoy unrestrained experiences at the plethora of restaurants, boutiques, and mega malls that Houston has to offer.

Downtown

If you are looking to indulge in Houston’s thriving arts and theater scene or the exciting nightlife, make sure you stay in the downtown area. In the heart of the city center, you have the Aloft Houston Downtown Hotel on Fannin Street or the Hyatt Regency Houston Hotel on Louisiana Street. Enjoy boutique accommodation in the heart of downtown at The Sam Houston, Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel, or stay at The Lancaster Hotel in the theater district.

Galleria / Uptown

The glass and stainless steel architecture of this neighborhood serves as a stunning backdrop to this main hub of food, drinks and retail therapy. This area features several high-end hotels with outdoor pools and extravagant on-site spas. Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Omni Houston Hotel or the JW Marriott Houston Hotel. For mid-range budget accommodation, check out The Residence Inn Houston by The Galleria Hotel or The Westin Oaks Houston At The Galleria Hotel.

Northwest Houston

A planned community neighborhood, Northwest Houston has plenty of woodland and open-air activities, as well as several high-end shops and restaurants. Enjoy the Italian villa-styled rooms and gourmet dining at the Hotel Granduca Houston or the opulent rooms and themed suites of Hotel ZaZa. You also have the Courtyard by Marriott Houston Northwest for easy access to Sam Houston Race Park, Willowbrook Mall, and the Vintage Park shopping village.

Energy Corridor

The greenest area in Houston with over 50 miles of parks and trails, the Energy Corridor has earned its name because of several energy-producing businesses based here. The Houston Marriott Energy Corridor offers 4-star accommodation while the Hilton Garden Inn Houston Energy Corridor provides comfortable 3-star accommodation with modern amenities. As is standard practice with many hotels in the area, this hotel provides complimentary transport services within a 5-miles radius.

Cheap hotels in Houston

Most international hotel chains such as Best Western, Hilton, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express offer budget accommodation at some of their properties in Houston. You also have the Club Quarters Hotel Houston which is conveniently located in Downtown Houston, near the popular sites and attractions. Or check out Hotel Ylem!, a modern boutique hotel close to the NRG Stadium and The George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Home to 10 winding waterways flowing through its surrounding areas, Houston is also often called the ‘Bayou City’. There is so much to see and do in Houston that choosing where to go and what to do may be a little overwhelming even for a repeat visitor. To help you, here are a few options which you may want to put at the top of your list.

• Make a trip 30 minutes outside the city to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre which is home to the NASA astronaut corps. Do try out the simulation of zero-gravity at the Living in Space exhibit.
• Stroll around Museum District which houses a multitude of museums, art galleries, and cultural centers in less than a 2-mile radius of Hermann Park. Some of the noteworthy museums include the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, The Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Center for Photography, and the Lawndale Art Center.
• Enjoy family-entertainment at the Kemah Boardwalk entertainment park.
• Spend time at the Houston Zoo which shelters over 4,500 animals across 900 species.
• Discover 400 species of marine life and go on an exciting train ride to check out sharks at the Downtown Aquarium, Houston.
• Go on a walking tour of Montrose, a beautiful neighborhood with tree-lined boulevards and the hub of vintage shopping, LGBT activism, and live music.
• Explore delicious, award-winning cuisine at a multitude of restaurants throughout the city. El Tiempo Cantina, Irma’s Original, and The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation are amongst the must-try restaurants for the best authentic Tex-Mex staple that Houston has to offer.
• Attend a concert or event or just take a stroll in the lush vegetation at the Discovery Green park in the heart of Downtown Houston.
• Go on a shopping spree to acquire upscale premium brands at The Galleria mall.
• View the Houston skyline and soak in the green spaces in the middle of the busy business district when you go biking at the Buffalo Bayou.