Downtown / Convention District

Marriott Marquis Houston

★★★★★

The Marriott Marquis Houston is downtown's flagship convention hotel and, thanks to one unforgettable feature, a favorite with families and groups. Its rooftop pool deck, Altitude, holds a lazy river in the shape of Texas, along with an infinity-edge pool and private cabanas, all with sweeping views of the downtown skyline. It is one of the most photographed hotel pools in the country, and floating from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast on an inner tube is exactly as much fun as it sounds. The hotel is large, with about a thousand redesigned rooms and suites with city views, many on high floors, and it connects directly to the George R. Brown Convention Center at 1777 Walker Street. Discovery Green, downtown's lively park with its lawn, lake, playgrounds and events, is across the street, and Daikin Park and the Toyota Center are within walking distance. There are seven places to eat and drink, among them Biggio's, a huge sports bar with two 30-foot screens named for the Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Walker Street Kitchen for Gulf Coast-inspired breakfasts and lunches, and High Dive serving grilled food and cocktails on the pool deck. The scale has drawbacks: during big conventions the lobby can feel like an airport, the rooftop is busy on summer weekends, and parking is expensive, with self-parking charged by the day and valet higher still. But for location, amenities and sheer fun, it is hard to beat downtown.

The lazy river is the reason many families book, so plan to use it: go early in the morning or later in the afternoon on weekdays to avoid the busiest times, and consider renting a cabana for a long, shaded pool day in summer. The infinity pool is a calmer spot for adults.

Downtown has transformed in recent years, and the Marquis sits in its most active corner. Walk to Discovery Green for events and food, catch an Astros game or ballpark tour at Daikin Park, see a Rockets game at the Toyota Center, or head into the Theater District for the symphony, opera or ballet. The Downtown Aquarium and Buffalo Bayou are a short ride away, and the METRORail connects you to the Museum District and NRG Park.

The hotel suits families, sports fans, convention-goers and groups of friends. Couples looking for intimacy may prefer a smaller boutique hotel. Check the convention calendar before booking, as rates and crowds spike during large events and the rodeo. The rooms themselves are modern and comfortable, with city views from the higher floors, and the hotel's size means there is usually availability even when smaller hotels are full. Breakfast at Walker Street Kitchen and a drink on the pool deck at sunset are easy daily routines, and Biggio's is the natural place to watch a game if you cannot get tickets. Families should note that the rooftop is busiest on summer weekends, when an early start is the key to a good spot by the lazy river.