| Lavish Lodging |
Houston’s hotels offer catering services, convenient parking, state-of-the-art audiovisual amenities and meeting and exhibit space all designed to specifically meet the needs of the business community.
From bed and breakfasts to high-end hotels and in between, the Houston region has diversity in hotel housing to fit any budget. Also, event planners may look forward to working with some of the top professionals in the hotel industry while planning schedules, negotiating room rates and developing menus.
Because meeting planners are such a force in the hospitality industry, many national-chain hotels have designed web sites that aid in planning, with resources such as room availability and meeting space layouts. Additionally, many of these sites list the readily available services and supplies, including meeting services, meeting equipment and event supplies so event planners know exactly what to pack and what they can leave at the office.
Downtown
A number of high-end hotels in the downtown area are popular meeting spaces for companies looking to mix business with downtown excursions and nightlife. One such hotel is the Hotel Icon, with 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space conveniently located on a dedicated floor. The Aventine Ballroom offers a striking backdrop for conferences and meetings.
The Four Seasons Hotel is a perfect example of the beauty that comes from the marriage of high style and high technology. This exquisite hotel offers 15 meeting rooms and 404 lavishly appointed guest rooms all within walking distance of the George R. Brown Convention Center. The hotel also has a partnership with the exclusive Redstone Golf Club, which enables event planners to craft special golf outings for attendees.
Adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center via a skyway, the Hilton Americas-Houston is the largest hotel in Houston and offers more than 91,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 26,000-square-foot ballroom, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 30 versatile meeting rooms.
The Magnolia Hotel is a perfect example of the beauty that comes from the marriage of high fashion and impeccable amenities. With 314 guest rooms that feature to-die-for sheets, velvet drapes, gourmet mini-bars and in-room Starbucks coffee, The Magnolia Hotel is considered one of the best furnished hotels in the Houston region. The hotel’s central location to all major corporate headquarters including Shell Oil, JP Morgan Chase, Chevron, Cooper Industries, KPMG, Calpine, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and Waste Management, makes it highly-sought after lodging option.
Galleria/Uptown
When meeting planners are looking for luxury in the Uptown area, they need to look no farther than the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa or the Intercontinental Houston
For a corporate seminar or week-long conference, The Houstonian Hotel is known as one of the most prestigious meeting venues in Houston. State of the art conference facilities combined with impeccable service and amenities add distinction to any business or corporate event are located on an 18-acre wooded site. The Hotel features 26 meeting venues from the newly renovated Houstonian Grande Ballroom accommodating 650 banquet-style, to the executive-style Mahogany boardroom, to poolside parties at the outdoor covered Gazebo, according to the Houstonian.
The Intercontinental Houston offers meeting space and lodging that combines state-of-the-art facilities with impeccable service. This business-travelers paradise includes 50,000 sq. feet of flexible meeting space and a 24-hour business center. Accommodations include 485 deluxe guest rooms and suites, all well-appointed with a wide array of features. Fine dining is assured with French and Spanish-influenced dishes served at Picho.
Galveston Island
Galveston Island is characterized by charming condos and beach-side hotels. The family-friendly atmosphere in the area has created an environment that thrives on old-world elegance and promotes modern sophistication. It is not uncommon for attendees to tack on days to their trip to enjoy a few extra days of family fun.
Recently renovated to include new resort amenities to entice business groups, the Victorian Condo-Hotel offers meeting planners the unique ability to book their attendees in spacious one and two bedroom condominiums. Additionally, the conference center has more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, plus more than 2,000 square feet of event space out-of-doors.
Nestled within the magical gardens of Moody Gardens, the Moody Gardens Hotel offers event planners the entire package. This venue presents unlimited opportunities for meeting goers. In addition to a convention center, Moody Gardens offers catering services, deluxe accommodations, a full-service spa, and exceptional venue opportunities such as dinner in the Aquarium Pyramid.
Set on 22 acres, this beach-front resort offers event attendees the ultimate luxuries. The San Luis Resort is located on the Galveston Island Seawall and plays host to the new Galveston Island Convention Center. According to the San Luis, “the 40,000 square-foot conference center has sound-proof meeting rooms, ergonomic chairs, individual climate controls, adjustable lights and tackable wall surfaces. The conference center is perfect for small and intimate business meetings or large conventions.”
NASA/Clear Lake
Recently renovated, the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake is a beautiful resort overlooking Clear Lake, and each room has a view of the water. With more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space including two ball rooms, this hotel is the perfect location for business meetings.
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.
Send submissions to
editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.