Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, College Station, TX

This warm and contemporary hotel opened in 2010, and it hosts a diverse mix of travelers, from Texas A&M parents and alumni to shoppers on getaway weekends at the Post Oak Mall. The comfortable lobby makes a good first impression, with polished hardwood floors and a living room set on a nice traditional rug in the middle of the space. Homey touches like a limestone fireplace, wood ceiling beams, and a lovely staircase give the modern hotel an almost rustic feel. It’s a busy but inviting place, where guests often linger over a cup of coffee as they peruse the shelves of books in the hotel’s lending library. The adjacent breakfast room is equally enticing, with a fireplace, TV, large windows, and plenty of comfortable seating for a 64-room property. 

The hotel is somewhat isolated just off busy Southwest Parkway, with little in the immediate area other than a Holiday Inn next door that has a restaurant. Otherwise, guests will need a car. Fortunately, it’s only a four-minute drive to Post Oak Mall, where several restaurants and four large department stores are located. It takes approximately 10 minutes by car to reach downtown College Station and the Texas A&M campus, including Kyle Field. The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is 13 minutes away, and Easterwood Airport is a 15-minute drive. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately a two-hour drive, while Houston’s airports take roughly 90 minutes to reach, depending on traffic. 

Guest rooms at Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, College Station are decorated in a traditional style with pleasant earth tones and splashes of warm color. Accent walls behind the beds are either olive or chocolate brown, and deep red is used in throws, drapes, and upholstery. The combination pairs well with the furniture's dark finish. Standard Double Queens are spacious enough to include oversize armchairs and desks with office chairs. Various suites also are available, including One-Bedroom Suites that have separate living rooms with sleeper sofas, and Whirlpool Suites with two-person whirlpools in the bedroom areas. Extended Stay Suites feature wet bars and separate living rooms with sleeper sofas, and dining tables with four chairs. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no safes. Bathrooms are comfortably sized as well, with wide tan granite vanities, gray floor tiles, walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, plus hairdryers and bottled toiletries. 

This hotel offers a solid set of amenities that add to its overall value, starting with the free breakfast buffet that includes eggs and other rotating hot items. Free coffee, tea, and cookies also are available in the lobby 24/7. Other freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and weekday newspapers. 

For wellness, there's a fitness center that's on the small side, but it includes three pieces of modern LifeFitness cardio equipment and a universal strength-training machine. The heated outdoor pool has plenty of space for a swim, plus there's an adjacent whirlpool and several surrounding tables and chairs. 

The business center has two computers and a printer in a dedicated room, there's meeting space for up to 60 people, and guests can do their own laundry on-site, or send it out via the hotel’s valet dry cleaning and laundry service. A book-lending library in the lobby is a nice touch for travelers who like to catch up on their reading.