One third of all travel plans involve family travel and those numbers continue to rise each year. Family travel is a booming business and hotels are jumping on the bandwagon to tout their family friendly accommodations. One of the pitfalls of these family friendly claims is that they often fall short for either kids or adults. Many upscale properties promise family friendly amenities, but don’t deliver anything that really gets kids excited. On the other end of the spectrum, ultra-kid friendly hotels offer little ones non-stop fun, but don’t have any offerings that give grownups a place to recharge and relax.
Family travelers who are hoping to find a hotel that offers both kid-appeal and adult approval will be completely thrilled with The Houstonian in Houston, TX.
What to Expect (The Twitter Version)
Widely known as one of the finest hotels in Houston, The Houstonian is tucked away among the 18 acres of park-like landscaping and features a resort pool and fitness club.
The Down Low on the Locale
Located along the 610 loop in Houston’s exclusive Tanglewood community, the hotel is just minutes from the Galleria and downtown Houston. The convenience to the city center makes this an ideal location for business or leisure, but it is the woods surrounding the hotel that make this a true retreat. You’ll have to remind yourself that you are actually in the largest city in Texas.
Where You’ll Lay Your Head
Understated luxury is the key, from rustic leather headboards to the warm wooden floors, but it’s the view you’ll remember. Floor to ceiling picture windows open up onto the lush wooded acres and welcoming boardwalks that surround the property. Green technology senses when the room is occupied and adjusts the lights accordingly, and other technology-from flat screen TVs to I-Pod docking stations-are located throughout your suite. The pillows and bedding are delightfully plush, perfect for sleeping, or a late night pillow fight.
Why the Kids Want to Go Back
Once they see the pool complex, you’ll never be able to convince them to go back home. The waterslide/waterfall combo is just too irresistible for the big kids, and the little kids will love the splash pad that is just their size. The Garden pool nestled among the wooded acres is heated just enough to take the chill off an early spring or late fall swim. The indoor/outdoor playground and the rock climbing wall in the Kids Club are a great way for kids to spend the afternoon while the parents are off on their own adventures.
Don’t Forget the Grownups
Parents just want to have fun-and a few minutes of quiet. That’s certainly possible at the Houstonian. The onsite spa and health club offer just about every way to break a sweat and relax as you can imagine. The kids will be safely engaged in their own activities in the Kids Club, so you can enjoy your moment of quiet.
~Upscale, but not so much that you can't act silly~
Points for Family Appeal
Walking into the luxurious lodge-styled lobby of the hotel prompted me to have a quick ‘come to Jesus’ meeting with my rambunctious boys about minding their p’s and q’s, but it turns out I needn’t have worried. The hotel does have a decidedly upscale feeling, but the staff exudes relaxed Texas hospitality and welcomes little visitors. Details, like finding rubber duckies next to the bathtub, made us feel even more at home.
Food and Other Necessities
There are several dining options, from casual to formal available on the property. Tell the kids to keep swimming and grab something to eat at the poolside Gazebo. Or if you are looking for something more formal, but still kid friendly, make a reservation at the Olivette, where the chefs will be glad to prepare a kid friendly menu.
What You’ll Tell Your Facebook Friends
Loving the view @The Houstonian Hotel.
I think I could get used to this~ Relaxing Poolside at the Houstonian.
The Southwest Caesar Salad @ The Olivette is to die for! Roasted pumpkin seeds and southwestern Caesar dressing. Yum!
~Texas Sweet Tea with a Honey Swizzle Stick @Olivette~
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room near the pool, so you can easily slip out the back door and travel along the boardwalk to the pool area.
- West facing rooms will give you give you a view that immerses you in the surrounding woods. Ask for a room on an upper floor to have more natural light.
- President George H.W. Bush used Suite 271 in the hotel as his official residence for voting privileges during his presidency.
I want to go play in the kids club. That looks awesome! 🙂
Sounds like a fun hotel! Loved the review – especially the "what you'll tell your Facebook friends"! I'll definitely keep it in mind because we didn't get to see much of Texas on our brief pass-through over the holidays and Emma wants to go back to get a cowgirl hat!!