In your company, are you responsible for booking venues, facilities, restaurants and organizing transportation for meetings and events?
| Houston's Hotel Hotspots |
Downtown Houston’s Hotel ICON, a historic district landmark beginning as the Union National Bank building in 1911, recently was purchased by Centurion Partners and Canyon Johnson Urban Fund, backed in part by former NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The new owners are making aesthetic and technological updates to the 135-room property and rebranding it as part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Slated for completion in spring or summer 2012, the $5 million renovation will bring a modern energy and sophistication to the grand old-world structure. The new aesthetics promise to be inviting and representative of “today’s Texas.” The redesign also includes the hotel’s Line & Lariat, a fine-dining establishment and bar already serving new dishes that reflect the bounty of Texas’ coast and waterways, businesses, farms and ranches.
The Houston Marriott West Loop by The Galleria underwent an $18 million renovation, the first of a three-part renovation process. Phase One included a makeover of the property’s 301 guestrooms, which were gutted and completely redone with new carpets and furniture, ergonomic workstations, bedding and technology upgrades. This phase also included updates to the concierge lounge, fitness center and Internet capabilities. The next two phases will include renovations to the lobby area and the hotel’s 17,000 square feet of meeting space. The entire project is expected to be finished in 2013.
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center underwent a $6.2 million renovation in 2011. The luxurious hotel is located in the heart of The Woodlands near fine dining, shopping and entertainment venues and is only 30 miles from downtown Houston. The renovations encompassed new furnishings, carpet and colors in the 336 guestrooms, seven suites and 60,000 square feet of meeting, convention and ballroom space all designed to fit the feel of The Woodlands with a new woodsy-themed design.
All of these renovations serve to continue the Houstonian tradition of providing excellent hospitality options for its convention goers and out-of-town visitors so they feel welcomed and comfortable away from home.
The great outdoors
Meeting and event planners know that Houston hotels offer great spaces for hosting all kinds of events. What they may not know or may not consider at first is that many hotels in the Bayou City also have beautiful outdoor spaces great for a change of venue. Especially in the vertically inclined sections of the city, many hotels provide elegant
outdoor rooftop venues that showcase the spectacular views of Houston’s skyline.
The Alden Houston, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Houston, offers the veranda at its *17 Restaurant for special events. The restaurant features a permanent tented roof and central air conditioning that transform the space into a semioutdoor oasis even in the hot Houston summers. The versatile rooftop venue is ideal for corporate functions and social events for up to 215 guests.
A destination in its own right and perfect for a cocktail reception, the outdoor pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston is a luxury resort experience in the heart of a bustling city. On the fourth floor, the oval pool is lined with live oak and palm trees, boasts Brazilian ipÍ wood decking, a fire pit, a relaxing hot tub, a soothing water wall, Turkish travertine tile and a poolside bar.
Relaxation and refreshing events come easily at Hotel Derek in the Galleria area of Houston. In addition to its formal meeting and event spaces, the hotel offers its stunning outdoor pool and stylish terrace for cocktail receptions for 30–40 people and other smaller events.
Hotel ICON always delivers its personal signature to its meetings and events, even outdoors. For something fanciful and over-the-top, the hotel offers a three-level Penthouse Ritz Suite with an entertainment lounge and a 350-square-foot private rooftop terrace with sweeping views of downtown Houston, making it a breathtaking site for an intimate event reception.
The posh poolside lounge at the boutique Hotel ZaZa Houston is perfect for an outdoor cocktail party. With stylish cabanas, an outdoor bar and a beautiful setting, the patio at ZaZa is a delightful downtown oasis overlooking the beautiful Mecom Fountain in Hermann Park.
At the Magnolia Hotel in Houston, you can gather your guests under the stars for a corporate social gathering or private dinner in the rooftop pool area. Its elegant design offers a chic event space against the backdrop of the beautiful Houston skyline.
If you are looking for the perfect alternative to a classic ballroom, the rooftop at the Westin Oaks Houston in the Galleria area offers just that option. With rooftop daytime vistas or glittering starry nights as unforgettable backdrops for an event, it is perfect for gatherings of 100–150.
Whether poolside or on an elegant elevated terrace, Houston hotels offer options to host a special and refreshing events out in the open.
Hotel Catering contributions
Catering is often one of the most important aspects of an event. When booking an event at a hotel, using the pre-existing in-house catering has many advantages for the event budget as well as the planner’s time and effort. Another lesser known aspect of hotel catering is that some hotels specialize in their catering services, even offering catering for off-site functions.
The Houston Marriott West Loop by The Galleria underwent an $18 million renovation, the first of a three-part renovation process. Phase One included a makeover of the property’s 301 guestrooms, which were gutted and completely redone with new carpets and furniture, ergonomic workstations, bedding and technology upgrades. This phase also included updates to the concierge lounge, fitness center and Internet capabilities. The next two phases will include renovations to the lobby area and the hotel’s 17,000 square feet of meeting space. The entire project is expected to be finished in 2013.
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center underwent a $6.2 million renovation in 2011. The luxurious hotel is located in the heart of The Woodlands near fine dining, shopping and entertainment venues and is only 30 miles from downtown Houston. The renovations encompassed new furnishings, carpet and colors in the 336 guestrooms, seven suites and 60,000 square feet of meeting, convention and ballroom space all designed to fit the feel of The Woodlands with a new woodsy-themed design.
All of these renovations serve to continue the Houstonian tradition of providing excellent hospitality options for its convention goers and out-of-town visitors so they feel welcomed and comfortable away from home.
The great outdoors
Meeting and event planners know that Houston hotels offer great spaces for hosting all kinds of events. What they may not know or may not consider at first is that many hotels in the Bayou City also have beautiful outdoor spaces great for a change of venue. Especially in the vertically inclined sections of the city, many hotels provide elegant
outdoor rooftop venues that showcase the spectacular views of Houston’s skyline.
The Alden Houston, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Houston, offers the veranda at its *17 Restaurant for special events. The restaurant features a permanent tented roof and central air conditioning that transform the space into a semioutdoor oasis even in the hot Houston summers. The versatile rooftop venue is ideal for corporate functions and social events for up to 215 guests.
A destination in its own right and perfect for a cocktail reception, the outdoor pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston is a luxury resort experience in the heart of a bustling city. On the fourth floor, the oval pool is lined with live oak and palm trees, boasts Brazilian ipÍ wood decking, a fire pit, a relaxing hot tub, a soothing water wall, Turkish travertine tile and a poolside bar.
Relaxation and refreshing events come easily at Hotel Derek in the Galleria area of Houston. In addition to its formal meeting and event spaces, the hotel offers its stunning outdoor pool and stylish terrace for cocktail receptions for 30–40 people and other smaller events.
Hotel ICON always delivers its personal signature to its meetings and events, even outdoors. For something fanciful and over-the-top, the hotel offers a three-level Penthouse Ritz Suite with an entertainment lounge and a 350-square-foot private rooftop terrace with sweeping views of downtown Houston, making it a breathtaking site for an intimate event reception.
The posh poolside lounge at the boutique Hotel ZaZa Houston is perfect for an outdoor cocktail party. With stylish cabanas, an outdoor bar and a beautiful setting, the patio at ZaZa is a delightful downtown oasis overlooking the beautiful Mecom Fountain in Hermann Park.
At the Magnolia Hotel in Houston, you can gather your guests under the stars for a corporate social gathering or private dinner in the rooftop pool area. Its elegant design offers a chic event space against the backdrop of the beautiful Houston skyline.
If you are looking for the perfect alternative to a classic ballroom, the rooftop at the Westin Oaks Houston in the Galleria area offers just that option. With rooftop daytime vistas or glittering starry nights as unforgettable backdrops for an event, it is perfect for gatherings of 100–150.
Whether poolside or on an elegant elevated terrace, Houston hotels offer options to host a special and refreshing events out in the open.
Hotel Catering contributions
Catering is often one of the most important aspects of an event. When booking an event at a hotel, using the pre-existing in-house catering has many advantages for the event budget as well as the planner’s time and effort. Another lesser known aspect of hotel catering is that some hotels specialize in their catering services, even offering catering for off-site functions.
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If accepted, your submission will be edited for length and clarity. There is no monetary payment if your item is used; instead, you can publicize yourself through a five-line biography with your contact information that will appear at the end of the article.
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editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.