Affordable, quirky and full of history

The oldest hotel in Houston, The Sam Houston Hotel was a smart choice for me during a recent business trip to the city. It was a whirlwind trip. I’d be on the ground for less than 24 hours and needed a central location, value-priced room rate and a quiet night’s reprieve between late night and early morning meetings.

Because I travel so much for business, I try to choose off-the-beaten-path hotels to find hidden gems in big cities. The Sam Houston may just be that for Houston. The hotel was built in 1924 to accommodate budget-minded business travelers who wanted to be close to the city center. In 1970 the hotel closed and stood vacant for almost 25 years. When it reopened in 1995, the name was changed to Alden Houston – the new owners had big plans to build similar hotels in other cities. The plan didn’t work out though and the hotel was sold again in 2010 and its birth name was reinstated.

Sleep well

In 2013, this 100 room hotel underwent an extensive renovation that clearly placed comfort as high as productivity on the must-have list. My smartly styled room featured a comfy, plush bed with a settee at the foot – an ideal coffee nook. Flanking the bed, sat lamps with outlets in the base on night tables, which allowed me to charge my phone while sleeping. A well-lit work station, complimentary wifi and a big screen TV allowed me to work (or not) after my long day.

In the morning, I was grateful for the Keurig coffee maker. Very grateful.

The bathroom was a wonder of marble and glass with a glass shower, magnifying make-up mirror and a glorious sink. For a business traveler hotel, the bathroom added a welcome touch of luxury.

Nourish yourself

Houston can be an interesting place after dark and as a female who travels alone, I appreciate hotels that offer good food and a place to relax for a drink or two before retiring to my room. For dinner, check out their hearty meals sourced from local farms. For after dinner drinks, The Sam Bar satisfies both on drink selection and ambience.

Nearby amusements

The Sam Houston is a short walk from Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center is a $6 cab ride away. NRG Stadium is a short Light Rail ride away. Shopping, cultural attractions and the theater district are close by as well. The hotel offers complimentary transportation in the evenings, which makes enjoying all Houston has to offer even easier.

Although my experience at The Sam Houston was wholly positive, the hotel’s reputation online suggests that others may not feel the same. Their ranking on TripAdvisor.com shows a 77% satisfaction rate, but a deeper read through the comments and it’s clear the hotel has had some issues. Although they have a healthy following on Twitter and Facebook, they don’t post regular updates and don’t engage with their community. My advice to the hotel: with all you have to offer, listen to and engage with your guest comments. You might be surprised what you learn.

My advice to you? If you’re in Houston, this hotel is worth considering for a pleasure or business trip. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit them again.

Visit The Sam Houston Hotel online to see if it’s a good fit for you or visit booking.com to reserve your stay now.

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