taconictraveler

We have a chance to spend a few days in Houston in November. We have never been there, and so I am confused about the geography of the city.

We would be going mostly for the museums that are there, so can anyone tell me where would be a good area and moderate hotel in the best area for seeing those museums?

Many thanks for any input. I have just started my research.

taconictraveler

OK, now after some research on Fodor's:

Apparently the Zaza Hotel gets very high marks, but is pretty costly. Could do it, but rather not.

Not much in way of other hotels in Museum District, or so it seems

How about the Magnolia Hotel, which is downtown? Can anyone comment? thanks.

biztravfod

The Hampton Inn has several properties in Houston.. The rooms are huge, you can get rooms with cooking/fridge features, everything is up to date (wi-fi, cable) and super comfy and clean, if not a glamorous or cute destination hotel. I remember going to the Rothko chapel and the Menil when I was staying in one, and finding it all quite convenient, but I'm so used to driving around strange cities, maybe I'm not the best person to judge.

Houston is kind of like LA. You get on the freeway to go almost everywhere inside greater Houston. You can't avoid it. So I wouldn't focus too much on the idea that you need to be in one particular neighborhood. Just a safe one.

taconictraveler

Thankyou, Biz.

So, I should be asking for safe neighborhoods in Houston, I guess.

IWill look at Hampton Inns. Have stayed in many.

emd3

There is a "metrorail" light rail service that goes from the museum district through downtown. IT is $2 for a day pass.
Very convenient for seeing the museum district and staying downtown.

http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/RailSched.aspx

Downtown is not the ghost town it used to be at night. There are now lots of bars and restaurants and theaters that are open and do brisk business. MAgnolia Hotel is nice, and very close to the Preston metrorail stop on the map above (hotel is at cross of Fannin and Texas on the map).

Lots of other hotel options that are convenient to the metrorail. HOtel ZaZa, Hyatt Regency, Crowne Plaza, Doubletree, Residence Inn, and Courtyard come to mind. We like Inn at the Ballpark, butit is a little further from the metrorail downtown.

emd3

You can also stay in the Medical Center hotels and use metrorail to get to the museum district (see the map). Marriott is across from the stop at Medical Center. But I tihnk downtown is more intersting at night than the medical center area.

williamscb13

ugh. do not stay at the medical center. Stayed there in January while down in houston for my mom's surgery. hotel is very, very basic though perfectly adequate. The medical center area is dead at night. and i ate at chiptle for almost every single meal. I know you will get out more than I was able to. but still I would not stay at the medical center area.

taconictraveler

Thanks again, allwho replied. It looks to me like Hotel Magnolia is a good choice.

We are meeting our Dutch friends who will have been driving around Texas for a week, and want to spend a few days in Houston, seeing museums and the like, so I want to try to get a convenient hotel.

Now I've got to get to work on some airline tickets for us from Hudson Valley to Houston!