Staycation…

I didn’t want to forget how to travel*, so I decided to take a staycation and check out a new hotel that I’ve been wanting to see in Houston.

The Westin in The Woodlands is on Waterway Square adjacent to nice restaurants and next to the water fountains. A movie theater is close by, and the Woodlands Mall is within 5 minutes walking distance. It’s the perfect location for enjoying The Woodlands.

The hotel was opened in March, which means that it still has that ‘new car smell’ but the services are also practiced and settled in.

I checked in early (around 2pm) on a Saturday. The lobby area is very small, flanked by a Starbucks with a seating area and a nice bar space. The chandeliers that adorn the lobby and the downstairs conference area are light artwork and beautiful.

lobby bar

cuba planning

I had a corner room with the government rate. When I checked in, I was warned about the noise from the square at night and offered a room on the quiet side, but I stayed with the original room.

room windows

room

sunset view over waterway square

I loved everything in this room – the huge windows, the decor, the touchpad control panel… The blinds were sufficient to keep the light out when it got dark, but there was some noise until around 11pm. There was a view of the waterway, the water fountains in the square, and some of the restaurants, including Grimaldi’s (yumm).

night view

water fountain

The pool is at the back of the hotel, and it’s an infinity pool overlooking the waterway. It was a smallish pool, surrounded by plenty of seating and loungers. I really loved the design.

poolside

infinity affinity

90 in Houston

I loved the design and location of this hotel, and the service was great as well. If I need a room in The Woodlands in the future, I would definitely stay here again.

*I have a few international trips planned to places I haven’t visited before…

1. Cuba for Thanksgiving and 2. Tahiti & New Zealand in February.

Next up:

Cuba!!