Best Family Hotels in Houston

Sitting about a mile from The Galleria, The St. Regis Houston is one of only a few five-star hotels in the city. And like others of its caliber, the St. Regis Houston earns its commendation with all of its luxurious amenities. Previous guests say that the outdoor pool is gorgeous and that they enjoy soaking up some sun in the comfy lounge chairs lining the pool deck. The on-site fitness center and spa also garner praise, with R&R-seekers recommend indulging in one of the many body and skin treatments available. When dinnertime rolls around, treat yourself to a hearty steak at The Remington Restaurant. Guest rooms are decked out in hardwood and leather furniture and stocked with deluxe amenities like flat-screen TVs, Italian bed linens and Bose Wave music systems. Because this Houston property is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Formerly an InterContinental hotel, the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria occupies prime real estate near The Galleria – and thanks to the hotel's complimentary shuttle, you don't have to spend all your shopping money on transportation. Recent guests say that they were wary of the property's re-branding, but were pleasantly surprised by the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria's luxurious feel. Though, some still feel service isn't as good as it once was. Visitors describe the guest rooms as plush and spacious, approving of the simple, neutral decor and cozy beds. The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria also wows with its fifth-floor outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness center. Many guests find the international fare served at ARA Restaurant to be well above par and the restaurant staff to be excellent. 

Staying at this JW Marriott right across from The Galleria means you'll find spacious and inviting rooms with soothing decor, custom linens and HDTVs with premium movie channels. Recent guests appreciated the on-site amenities like the indoor-outdoor pool, fitness center and sauna, but reviews were mixed on service and decor. Some recent visitors felt the service was top-notch and enjoyed the updated rooms (most of which were renovated in 2015), while other guests cited thin walls and lackluster cleaning service as not being up to "JW standards." Though they may disagree on whether or not you should sleep here, visitors do recommend the on-site restaurant, praising the locally sourced "Texas cuisine with a fresh twist" served at Destino. Because this hotel is a member of the Marriott hotels family, Marriott Bonvoy members can use points to pay for rooms or upgrades.

Serious shoppers (aka shopaholics) should look no further: This Westin, as its name suggests, is not just next to, but actually connected to The Galleria. The hotel even gives guests a complimentary "Passport to Shopping," which contains exclusive coupons for some of the stores. Chances are that if you're staying here, you won't be spending much time in the hotel itself. But if you need a break from mall madness, this Houston property boasts all the Westin classics, including Heavenly Beds and a WestinWORKOUT fitness studio, as well as a pool and the trendy White Oak Kitchen + Drinks restaurant (which is shared with its neighboring sister hotel). Though some guests complain about the high room rates and hefty parking fees, members of the Marriott Bonvoy programs can save some dough by paying with rewards points.

The Hyatt Regency Houston seems to attract mostly business travelers because of its downtown Houston location. The hotel also features expansive meeting spaces and a full-service business center. But enough shop talk: Previous visitors praise the Hyatt Regency Houston's rooms, which feature warm brown and orange decor, signature beds and iPod docking stations. After a long day on the job, you can take a dip in the sixth-floor heated outdoor pool, while the pleasing ambiance of the LobbiBar makes it a great place for an après-work cocktail. If you have to wine and dine some clients, impress them with stellar city views from Spindletop (the hotel's revolving rooftop restaurant) or with a hearty hunk of meat at Shula's Steakhouse. And because this is a Hyatt hotel, you can pay for your room or earn extra perks through the brand's loyalty program.

The Galleria is so big that it can accommodate two separate Westins, each containing more than 400 rooms. This one provides many of the same amenities as its sister, The Westin Galleria Houston, including a fitness center and a pool. This property also offers access to the acclaimed White Oak Kitchen + Drinks restaurant. Yet guests don't seem as fond of this property, saying that the room rates were too high for what they described as a relatively bland hotel. Recent visitors did, however, enjoy the city views from the spacious guest rooms, the friendly customer service, the signature Heavenly Beds and the complimentary self-parking facilities (a rarity in city hotels). What's more, because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

The Hilton Houston Post Oak is just about a 9-mile drive west of downtown Houston. One of its most talked about attributes is its free shuttle, which transports guests to places within a 3-mile radius of the hotel (like The Galleria). But most hotel patrons seem to stay here on business since its location is close to corporate destinations without the downtown price tags. With spacious rooms and a pet-friendly policy, this hotel is also a good choice for families. Kids can take advantage of in-room video games (pre-loaded onto 42-inch plasma TVs), while parents can unwind on one of the signature Serenity beds. The all-American cuisine served at The Promenade caters to both child-like and mature tastes. No matter the reason for the stay, recent guests say this Hilton is a good value for the money. Because of its ties to the Hilton brand, this hotel provides perks and rewards points to Hilton Honors club members.

This JW Marriott outpost is set downtown (as its name suggests), within walking distance of many Houston attractions like Minute Maid Park and the Buffalo Bayou, businesses and the convention center. The hotel has plenty of on-site diversions as well, such as a spa, a gym, a restaurant and a lounge. After you've explored all the JW Marriott Houston Downtown and the city has to offer, retreat to your guest room, where a shaved chocolate art turndown treat awaits your return. Each room also comes equipped with a Nespresso machine, free internet access, a flat-screen television and an in-room iPad that controls room service and valet retrieval, among other things. Despite the ample amenities, recent guests offer mixed reviews about this property. Some said they were impressed by the service staff and loved the hotel's location, while others were disappointed by the layout and views in their accommodations during their stays. Keep in mind that because this is a Marriott property, this hotel participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program, meaning guests can collect and redeem points here.

The Westin Houston Downtown (formerly the Inn at the Ballpark) combines traditional charm with modern amenities in its location right across the street from baseball's Minute Maid Park. But if baseball is not your thing, business travelers still appreciate the location and lobby bar. No matter the reason for the visit, most guests say that you'll find this Houston hotel very comfortable and friendly. Guest rooms feature plush furnishings and warm, earthy tones, as well as flat-screen TVs, high-speed Internet access and signature bath products. If you don't fill up on peanuts and Cracker Jacks while at a game, sit down to dinner at this Westin's Vic & Anthony's, which earns high praise for its steaks. Previous visitors also recommend this hotel for its staff, noting that everyone they encountered was especially friendly. And remember, if you're a member of the Marriott Bonvoy program, you'll be able to earn and redeem points during your stay.

If you're in Houston to do some shopping, you're in luck: The Westin Houston, Memorial City rests just across the street from the Memorial City Mall (and is connected to it via skywalk). Even if you don't feel like exercising your credit card, recent guests say that this Westin property is great, as long as you don't need to be in the heart of Houston. Sitting about 13 miles west of downtown, The Westin Houston, Memorial City earns high praise for its friendly staff, with visitors commending everyone from the bartenders to the cleaning crew. Guest rooms feature flat-screen TVs, plush bathrobes and internet access (for a fee). The hotel's 18th-floor infinity pool and fitness center are also appreciated perks, and many recommend dining at the 024 Grille at least once during your stay. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Many say DoubleTree by Hilton Houston - Greenway Plaza is a good choice for both business travelers and sightseers given its affordable rates and convenient location around 6 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Still, some say that while the hotel is adequate, it doesn't afford the same charm that some of Houston's other properties offer. The guest rooms are fairly typical of a DoubleTree hotel, with gold and blue decorative accents, large beds and high-speed internet access (for a fee). The property also boasts a nice lobby bar to enjoy an après-work drink, a well-equipped fitness center to burn off some stress and an outdoor pool to kick back and soak up the rays. And at the end of the day, you can sit down to a tasty meal at Rocks @ Greenway Bar. Plus, this hotel participates in the Hilton Honors rewards program.