The Westin Oaks Houston At The Galleria

Keeping in style with the upscale Galleria Mall, the Westin Oaks Houston is a modern four-pearl property offering views of Uptown from 21 floors. Formerly called the Houston Oaks Hotel, this property opened in 1971 and the exterior still retains a dated look from that decade. However, interior furnishings in the lobby make a grand first impression. Silver wall details, modern furniture, and contemporary paintings create a stylish atmosphere to lounge or work and access free Wi-Fi (there's a pesky fee to access Wi-Fi in the rooms). Design in the common spaces is upscale, but lacks character. And neutrally decorated hallways, without wall decor, feel bare. The hotel, with elevators and escalators, can be accessed via a street-level entrance or through the mall. Overall this property is appealing for its location and features (including a peaceful outdoor pool and stylish restaurant and bar) but it is on the pricey side and room decor is quite plain. 

This hotel’s location in the Galleria mall has pluses and minuses: while convenient for shopping and dining, guests must also deal with the regular crowds and traffic of the mall. This property has a sister hotel, Westin Galleria Houston, located across the mall. The location is particularly convenient for guests who aren’t driving, and intend on walking to restaurants or shops. For drivers, the I-610 Freeway is two blocks away. Downtown Houston -- with the George R. Brown Convention Center -- is a 30-minute drive away. Houston’s Theater District is 20 minutes, and the Museum District is 30 minutes. Sporting events are 20 to 30 minutes away at Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium, and Houston Toyota Center. The Space Center Houston is an hour away by car. It’s a 40-minute drive to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

White bedspreads, neutral carpeting, and warm-wood tones create an overall modern, though plain, atmosphere in rooms. Sliding-glass doors lead to narrow balconies with Galleria area or pool views. Traditional Rooms have wingback chairs by windows. King Rooms have the addition of sitting areas. Workout Rooms, with treadmills or stationary bicycles conveniently right inside your room, are also available. Executive Corner Rooms feature panoramic views and sofa beds in sitting areas. Suites are larger with upscale decor, sitting areas, and floor-to-ceiling windows in some. The top floor Consular Suite has a living and dining area. Regency Suites have dining and living areas and one and half bathrooms. Two-bedroom Crown Suites offer one and a half bathrooms, living areas, iPod docks, and dining tables. Cribs, rollaway, and dog beds are available. Every room has flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee, writing desks, mini-fridges, irons/ironing boards, safes, and hairdryers. Wallpapered, basic bathrooms have bathrobes and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads. There is a pesky fee for in-room Wi-Fi, though it's waived for Starwood Preferred Guest members. 

This hotel’s location in the Galleria mall provides ample dining options, including the White Oak Kitchen & Drinks in the lobby that serves American food. A lobby bar offers cocktails in a cozy space with brown sectional sofas and counter seating. Upstairs there's a large outdoor pool that has a wide deck and lounge chairs. The 24-hour gym is small, but provides modern cardio equipment, free weights, chilled towels, and a flat-screen TV. The sister hotel’s larger gym, located across the mall, is also available to guests. On Saturdays Lululemon provides a free yoga class. For a fee, New Balance also offers unused shoes and clean workout clothes that guests can borrow and return when checking out. Running maps to nearby three- and five-mile routes can be requested. With 12 meeting rooms, the hotel is a frequent business destination. More meeting space -- 67,583 square feet -- is available at the sister hotel. There’s also a 24-hour business center with paid Wi-Fi and secretarial services. Wi-Fi is available for free only in the lobby, where there are modern clusters of furniture for lounging and working.