The Westin Houston Memorial City

This Westin has over 30,000-square-feet of meeting space, so guests can expect to see the hotel bustling with conference delegates on any given day, plus it's connected to a large medical center, which attracts families visiting patients. Leisure travelers are frequent visitors as well, and the connected shopping mall means that dozens of stores and restaurants are conveniently within reach. Collectively, these guests keep the Westin buzzing with activity, but the hotel handles crowds well with an expansive lobby comprised of lovely earth-tone, polished floor tiles and quality wood panels and trim that accent beige walls. Contemporary artwork lines the walls, and several comfortable sitting areas are available. The adjacent 024 Grille and Lounge is an elegant space with clusters of white leather chairs and a cascading, two-sided waterfall illuminated in neon blue, while the on-site Ingredients Cafe offers a more casual space to relax in or do some work.

The Westin is located in a busy area just off Interstate 10 near its intersection with Sam Houston Parkway, a beltway that encircles Houston. It's west of downtown Houston, about a 20- to 30-minute drive to downtown attractions including Minute Maid Park, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston Zoo, and the Museum District. It's connected via a sky bridge to the Memorial City Mall (eight-minute walk) and Memorial Hermann Medical Center (five-minute walk). The mall has numerous shops and restaurants, while the medical center complex also offers a pharmacy and some restaurants. Within a 10- to 20-minute drive are the Energy Corridor and Bear Creek Pioneers Park, which has a golf course. NRG Stadium and the Astrodome are 25 to 35 minutes away by car, and the University of Houston campus is 20 to 30 minutes away by car (one hour via public transit). Bush Intercontinental Airport is a 30- to 40-minute drive (90 minutes on public transit), and Hobby Airport is 35 to 45 minutes away by car.

The Westin's rooms are clean and spacious, decorated in a simple yet elegant fashion. They come in Standard and Deluxe categories, as well as suites. Traditional rooms are approximately 400-square-feet, which offers enough space for two white upholstered armchairs with green leather ottomans and a large desk with media plug-ins. Deluxe Rooms are approximately 580-square-feet, with slightly larger bathrooms and work desks placed in partially secluded alcoves. Suites offer the most space, ranging from 875- to 2,300-square-feet. Executive Suites have separate living rooms with sofas, dining tables, additional half-baths, and Bose sound systems. Two-Bedroom Suites have second full bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and washer/dryers. Some suites have a private balcony and a separate jetted tub and walk-in shower.

Decor remains essentially the same among all categories, with light gray wallpaper, two-tone, light brown patterned carpet, and olive green drapes with cream stripes. The high-quality furniture has a reddish brown finish and includes headboards, nightstands, desks, dressers, and small oval coffee tables. Bedding (part of the branded Westin Heavenly Bed package) is topped off with a white duvet, while pleasant, nature-themed artwork hangs on the walls. All rooms include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, electronic safes, robes, free bottled water, iHome clock radios, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, turndown service, and free newspapers. Bathrooms are of average size and include white, Corian-style vanity tops, white textured wallpaper, and light gray marble tile framing either a walk-in rainfall shower or shower/tub combo. In-room Wi-Fi incurs an extra charge, but is free for SPG members (the hotel's loyalty club that's free to join). Pets are welcome in select rooms for a fee.

The hotel's restaurant and lounge, 024 Grille and Lounge, serves classic American fare for breakfast (not included in standard rates), lunch, and dinner, though guests should note that there have been some complaints about service. The on-site Ingredients Cafe serves Starbucks coffee as well as various snacks, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and other takeaway foods. The hotel offers over 30,000-square-feet of meeting space as well as a business center with Internet access. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but incurs an extra charge in guest rooms. (Fees are waived for SPG members, a hotel loyalty program that's free for all guests to join.) There is a large and well-equipped rooftop fitness center with a wide range of modern cardio and weight-training machines and free weights. New Balance running shoes and fitness clothing can be borrowed for a fee and delivered to guest rooms. The fitness center overlooks a partially covered infinity-edge pool and adjacent hot tub that have sweeping views of the city skyline. The pool is surrounded by an expansive patio with numerous lounge chairs and tables. In-room massage treatments can be arranged, and valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available. There is covered parking on-site, with self or valet parking available for a fee, but guests complain that valet parking is pricey. A car rental office is on-site, and the hotel operates a free shuttle service within a three-mile radius.