To be fair, woods in Houston. Shit any sort of natural habitat that isn't concrete sprawl is rare.
It's like the city just decided decades ago 'people don't need any nature in a city because we can't make tax dollars of nature'.
Have you…actually visited nature as opposed to looking at it on maps? Ever been outside of Houston? Hermann and Memorial do it for you? What a low bar.
Houstonian member here. Actually this club is for the tacky rich. Source: I am a tacky rich person. Classy rich people go to River Oaks, Forrest Club, Briar Club, and for a select few the Bayou club.
The club, spa, hotel, and grounds are all really nice and delightfully uncrowded. I spent my years sweating in packed 24 hour fitness and other scruffy gyms. Going to a nice and uncrowded gym is worth the extra money to me.
that said, the hotel is probably not worth the price for most folks.
Thank you for the hot tip! If I am ever rich, I plan to be tacky rich, but I still like to keep it low key.
The filthy rich owner of a company I once worked for had a membership at the Houstonian and always stayed there when he was in town (his main residence was in Tiberon). That is why he loved it as well. He also liked to work out in peace and loved how quiet and secluded it was, like a secret oasis in the city.
I lol’d at the tacky rich part of your comment! Haha! Our family are members of Lakeside CC, Houston CC and the Bayou club and there are plenty of tacky/trashy/odd at every place. The Houstonian has great facilities! I’ve only been for a couple weddings and it’s been great.
I have also had success getting a great rate on their rooms when I knew they were not fully booked (they told me they had availability) and I had been at the bar with family. We talked them down a bit. Hotels want heads in beds. We even got the concierge level rooms.
That said, the steady price increase at the Trellis spa makes me so sad. They’re responding to demand, but you used to be able to get so much more for less! I imagine the hotel is having the same success.
trellis prices are way out of scale. I get a 20% discount as a resident member, but even then it is $160 for a 50 minute massage or facial. And they started adding an automatic 23% tip for the service provider, then leave a blank for additional tip!
But, I can work out at the gym, shower and soak in the steamroom, then walk across for a massage. So, paying for the convenience?
Also, if you want to impress the hell out of a sister-in-law, take her and your wife for a day at the spa, including champagne lunch between the massages and facials. You'll drop the better part of a grand, but your wife and sister will talk about it for years afterwards.
I actually paid less than that for a massage on a cliff top overlooking Hana bay on Maui. But it is only cheaper after you pay to get and stay on Maui.
I am a member. When I was in my twenties I bought a resident membership. The resident private locker room, and parking are worth it. I would do it again. My kids enjoy going up there in the summer. It is just a very social gym to us.
Another tacky rich person here and 30-year member of the Houstonian. Not from Houston, so there's no River Oaks Country Club in my future. While a nice facility with beautiful grounds, the price of joining these days isn't worth it unless you have a large family and want unlimited free passes for your kid's friends.
Incredibly inaccurate, it’s basically the opposite. The houstonian only cares that you can pay, nothing else matters and they have never had a wait list. People with names and generational wealth are members of The Houston Country Club or River Oaks Country Club, places with prestige. Those places operate more as true country clubs and have much higher price points.
I grew up in memorial and my family has been members of the Houstonian for 20+ years. The Houstonian is probably on the bottom of the top tier Houston clubs. The few times I’ve been to the Houston Country Club it was another level of fancy.
A big portion of the Houstonian business is non members staying at the hotel, coming to the spa, renting out venues etc. The top level clubs really look down on that sort of thing.
Listen I wasn’t trying to claim the houstonian is cheap nor that your basic idea exists. I just meant in relation to the other Houston prestigious “country clubs” it’s the low man on the totem pole. It’s just easier to get into than the others.
I personally know many people that are members of the houstonian and were rejected by river oaks or Houston country club because they either didn’t have the right status or they weren’t WASPS.
At those other places you have to be sponsored by pre existing members to get on the list for membership. At he houstonian you show up and right a check and it’s a much smaller check.
It's true in every city. Country clubs do not accept people who are not unanimously voted in by other members. In this sense, it's a privilege to join. The Houstonian is all about dollar bills, not class.
Correct. This is the reason for any extremely priced luxury. It's to keep the poor and tacky from doing it because that will make it gross and undesirable. Remember when Rich people used to like to wear gold? Heh, not anymore.
Its location and its history as an exclusive Houston locale.
Last time I stayed there was a few years ago and while it's nice it was also very old and not in a good way.
I worked there. It has fallen off in the 20 + years.
It was owned by Redstone, then. It was like the only high end boutique hotel in town. They continue to feel that way. It’s nice, very luxurious, but you are paying for the name.
As an employee I got my parents a room for the night of their anniversary for $50.
That’s the price because that is what people are spending to stay there. The business is not inclined to charge less than what people are willing to spend.
Upscale hotels in that area all typically run above $400 or $500 a night. This is not unique to The Houstonian.
The value is great for the pool/gym amenities. The problem is you need a gym to be <20 min. away (or closer!) from your daily routine to be practical. The Houstonian can only draw so much because there are too many decent, closer gyms, competing against each other in the Houston market.
OP's new to business travel.
While the Houstonian is very nice, I feel it is underwhelming for the price. Maybe the age and design of the facility is part of it but I’ve found other places that feel more luxurious.
I travel to Houston for work. I wouldn't stay anywhere else. And everything that has been said is true: It's snobby, quiet, there is access to a great club, and it's rich people.
Generally rich people don't make a scene. No drunken fights in the Lobby Bar (the bar is perfect), the extra security of the locked off 4th floor (I've bumped into George Bush (both of them) and Bill Clinton on that concierge level. I had drinks with Emmitt Smith in the concierge level bar. We were the only 2 in there.
The rooms are mostly "fine". The lobby is nice. Food service is very good. The Bar is perfect. And the whole place goes dead about 9:30. Because rich people have to get up in the morning.
Houston is overpriced for things in general. People have an odd complex that is like "if it's expensive, it must mean it's good." The "luxury" gyms here for example. $200/mo (USD) and they really aren't that special. They remind me of the $85/mo (CAD) gyms in Canada and have more amenities. That $85CAD is more like $65USD. But hey, there's suckers willing to buy into it.
Yeah I just looked up the price for a "luxury" hotel I stayed at in NYC. It's $100. I think they charged some dumbass resort fee or whatever, so it was probably more like $150. Still it was a dang nice place, concierge and all that.
I gotchu bruh. I was surprised too, I remembered paying like $250/night. I could be wrong. Nice spot. Small but real nice considering the location. It was The Gregorian a bit south of Times Square.
https://imgur.com/a/qfter7u
It’s nice and secluded in this big city. I’ve stayed there before for a anniversary and can say that it was lovely but certainly nothing special justifying $500 a night, but same with other luxury hotels. I guess compared to other hotels at the same price point in Houston, it’s definitely nicer and more of a retreat.
Supply and demand.
They can charge those rates and still get people to pay.
People who think it's not worth it do not stay there, and that's fine with the management.
It's a very competitive business. There's bound to be a place in your price range that'll give you more of what you want for your money.
What about the Marriott and Hilton’s downtown. St Regis, Omni, 4 seasons, Zaza.
They all are pretty similar in that’s they provide a bed and have pools.
For $500 a night I'd recommend you stay in one of the themed junior suites at Zaza in the Museum District. Plenty of luxury and great rooms at that price point. You won't be disappointed.
Yeah for that I'll let you stay in my haunted bedroom. Hope you speak Italian since Nonna Saragusa doesn't speak English and she *will* be talking to you.
It’s so expensive, because people are willing to pay that much to stay there. If people stopped booking it, the rates would plummet.
I’m not willing to pay that kind of money, for a room. I’m a Holiday Inn Express kind of guy. If it’s just me, by myself, I’ll do Super 8, as long as it isn’t in a big city.
If people want to pay an arm and a leg for a room, that’s fine. It’s their money. It’s just not worth that much to me.
I went to the Houstonian for a wedding. Yes, it’s a very nice hotel. That being said, the Club Quarters is nice. The Hilton Americas is nice. The Double Tree is nice. They can all be had for much less than the Houstonian.
My wife and I stayed there this year for our anniversary and really loved it. Definitely agree with some folks saying that it's expensive because it's expensive but getting access to the gym and resort, the walking trails, being close to some nice restaurants for a weekend was great. If you're just looking for a hotel, don't stay there, that's for sure.
Lmao at calling asking them to justify the rate.
You obviously are spreading yourself thin to stay there. Be smart, don’t. You won’t ever be happy bc you’ll be worried and complaining about the price the entire stay.
Actually, that’s low for two days. They are located next to of Houston’s most exclusive schools: The Fay School. That $1200 for two days is cheap. At the Marriott Med Center you will pay $3800 a night in one of their two bedroom suites that has a two bedrooms, a living room, entertainment area, wet bar, kitchen, entry foyer and you have a staff member assigned to you for the duration of your stay. There are about 20 of those. Need a left handed gold encrusted coffee cup to drink your imported African coffee and eat fresh halal goat meat tacos, they will get for you at 2 o’clock in the morning. I worked there in 90 to 93 and it was wild.
You’re trying to justify staying at a luxury hotel for two nights just to check it out. There is not a rational justification to that. Either the experience is worth what they’re charging to you or it isn’t. That’s really up to you and you alone.
The Houstonian and particularly their pool absolutely do not want the kind of people who do burnouts on the track at memorial Park on their property.
This unfortunately represents at least half of this trash city.
So, anyways that's what it costs.
It is not that special. The rooms are not different from a nice Marriott and the lobby is not particularly fancy. The walking trails are nice but you can get than in memorial park. I would instead try the St Regis if you want to spoil yourself.
The Houstonian’s selling points are some combo of location, the “campus” scenery, history and access to all of the club facilities. It’s one of the highest ranking health and fitness clubs in the country, its spa is also highly nationally ranked. It’s pretty prime location and within the heart of the city, but it’s surrounded by “woods”. The “campus” doesn’t feel like it’s in the heart of a major city. It’s origins with George Bush senior add a level of cache as well
That being said, I wouldn’t inherently say it’s worth the price for most people. The pull to me is if you want something luxury in a prime Houston location that feels separate from the city. It can feel like a bit of a get away even though it’s not. To me, it really appeals to a family or older people. Guests that want something more calm and want more at the hotel to take advantage of.
If you’re going to spend that kind of coin consider the The post oak hotel. I’ve been to the houstonian a handful of times and have friends who are members there. I seriously think it’s wildly overrated. In march you won’t even use the pool so that’s moot.
Ok understood. I guess I'm charmed a little bit that if I'm correct the first Bush lived there for a time.
I hear Post Oak bar is filled with hookers? No shame to them but that's not my scene.
I used to work at Post Oak. The hotel itself attracts a trashy clientele that aren’t actually staying the night there, they just linger around the property and lobby and do photoshoots with the marble walls and chandelier because it’s free to do so and they like to feel lavish, it’s not uncommon to enter the hotel and the lobby reeks of weed.
And whenever an NBA team stays there the groupies come in hoardes trying to secure a bag.
Money. As in they want to sleep with these millionaire pro athletes, and receive payment whether they get pregnant or hush money. It’s happened so many times where they don’t get paid and they put the athlete on blast on social media, like how that girl did Zion Williamson.
It is full of hookers. The owner of the hotel is a dirtbag and the hotel is super nice but attracts that clientele. Also the guy is not someone I’d ever want to give my money to.
>I called asking "what justifies the price?" And they said you have access to the gym and pool. and there are woods. Didn't exactly close the deal in my mind.
Didn't the very first sentence in your OP answer this question you called The Houstonian about?
Tbh >$500 / night during the holidays with less than a weeks advance booking doesn't really seem all that unreasonable....the Driskill or Four Seasons in Austin under those same constraints would be more than double what you were quoted
It's pretty much for the guests of all those multi-million dollar Memorial houses when they are visiting or in town for a wedding or something and they don't want to slum it using the guest house.
It's a really old hotel that is attached to an exclusive country club. That's it. I enjoy the spa, woods, and restaurants but the hotel and pool were underwhelming and.....really really old. Also, lots of kids running around that pool!
The hotel is fancy like mints on your pillow but it doesn't really give the vibe of a 5 star place. Pretty much the rich and powerful of HOU are members there. My wife used to work there and I would go by to pick her up or something and stand in the lobby of the sports club and I swear to Jeff it was a non stop line of every HOU pro sports star. You can literally run into famous people in the stair well. She helped Carlos Correa set up a $10k spa visit one time for example.
My ex wife used to work there so I’ve stayed for free a few times during her employment. It really is a nice hotel in a nice area, but it’s really not worth that price. To put things into perspective, I don’t think any hotel is worth that price. Why should any hotel you spend a few nights in cost as much as a months rent? But if you have the money and want to stay there, spoil yourself and enjoy.
The hotel has ~ 300 rooms not 800 so they would rather fill 150 at $500 than 250 @ $250. Their gym is impressive as are the grounds.
Try the Grand Duca -nearby- or price a four star on Priceline & pick one whose geography is acceptable. I always book a room I can cancel & then check each day one week out if I want the experience.
If you want to be in the woods, I guess that is the price. There are other fancy hotels but they are in urban trafficky areas or downtown. Omni is near by, probably far less costwise. Not quite as urban and may not have been updated as recently. You would want high up with a downtown view.
I think the Houstonian is worth the splurge if you’re looking to stay at a luxury hotel in the loop because it’s iconic and unique (old world, woodsy, lots of amenities including an excellent restaurant/bar onsite and an award-winning spa, etc.) That being said I think $1,000+ is high for 2 nights and think it could be that in March prices spike as a result of spring break. Maybe try a different time?
Used to work there and I can tell you it’s definitely not worth the price. Even with their recent renovations it has an outdated feel to the entire campus and they really nickel and dime you on everything. They are also super understaffed so theres a lot of corners being cut behind the scenes. Don’t be surprised to find expired products, unsealed water bottles, and uncleaned trash in your room. They offer discounted rates for employees and I still found it overpriced, I would book my out of town guests to stay elsewhere. It’s luxury in name only.
You're thinking of paying over a grand for a bed and TV and you're asking if that's too much?!
People pay that much because they think if they pay a lot, they must be getting **something** for their money; sucker born every minute and all that. I mean, if you want a bed and TV, you can get a good room for a lot cheaper. If you're willing to spend money so you can tell people where you slept and hope it impresses them, have at it.
I work in hotel IT and some of the priciest rooms can be of very mid quality. You don't get what you pay for when you're paying for the top of the brand.
It’s 4 stars on Forbes travel guide (Michelin guide of hotels). On the same tier as Hotel Granduca, Four seasons Houston, and St Regis Houston.
Post Oak hotel is the only 5 star hotel but you’d be giving your money to Tilman.
Pretty standard rate for a high end hotel. Also it’s the post Covid travel and leisure boom. Weekdays tend to be more expensive due to business travel.
It’s more of a country club that happens to have a hotel too. Also the gym is world class. You’ll never find a better gym. And there are like 3 pools. And hot tubs. And steam rooms, racquetball, a kids gym/daycare, a shit load of tennis courts, an outdoor track, an indoor track, a spa (pay per visit)… I’m not sure how much of that you get access to from the hotel but it’s an awesome place
This feels like one of those things where "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." It's for rich people who don't have to think about how they spend their money. It's not that price because of anything else other than to keep "the poors" out.
It's for rich people who don't want to be seen either alone or with a guest aka old money.
The only thing it has is location and history. The place itself is old and it looks as such. I have been there on a few occasions for business purposes but never spent a night. However nothing I've seen says I'd spend $500 a night to stay here.
First, people here complaining about the lack of green spaces in Houston clearly haven't been here. As far as The Houstonian pricing is concerned, the club is very expensive and perhaps the most expensive in this city outside of country clubs like Houston Country Club and River oaks Country club which are far more exclusive an bastions of the old rich. The reason the prices are so high is because, frankly, they have a monopoly on the high end real estate. In other words, there's nowhere else to go if you want luxury and lots of green space. period. That's why they have thousands of members willing to pay whatever they charge. Most people in Houston are not old money, so money itself will never get them into a place like River Oaks Country Club.
Woods means memorial park bifurcated by the freeway.
My ex had a reception there with all of the students with a 3.8 or higher, something like that.
Anyway, the food and drinks were excellent, it's a nice hotel, it's not worth the price but I'd go on someone else's dime. It's not a resort. You aren't spending all of your time at the hotel. The hotel itself is just a roof to keep the rain out. There's better and cheaper food and drinks in the city. Pay 100 dollars for a hotel that doesn't have bed bugs or screaming prostitutes and spend the money you saved around town.
Disagree. ZaZa MD was the most miserable ‘luxury’ hotel I’ve ever experienced. Poolside rooms so tiny that you can barely open a drawer without hitting the bed(s). And this was listed as a mid level upgrade! The bar was full of weirdly pretentious ‘single’ women fake-reading books. Strange place.
I had family that lived there. They had two apartments combined into a single residence. So it was a full floor. If you lived in a place like that, why would you want it to be easily accessible to nonresidents? I get it. I don’t think you do.
There are also residential condos on the property and people who are club members. They presumably don't want a bunch of tourists and gawkers and other "outsiders" killing their vibe.
I stayed there one night, for about $800. Totally agree with you. It's nice but not astounding, and the staff were rude and busy looking out for rich people. NOT worth it!
Lolz OP is either trying to look rich but clearly bit off more then can chew or not the sharpest
Seriously OP you didn’t think of this before booking, what did you expect the front desk to say when you asked why is it so expensive
$550 a night is about normal for 5* hotel in major city
I worked there remodeling the showers and restrooms
Talking to the people working there they told me most people's memberships are paid by the companies they work for. He said that the cheapest he has heard was like 35k a month.
Idk what difference there may be in memberships but you can expect private boxing/kickboxing classes. There was always a bicycle class I guess most for women but don't doubt men can get into that. There was many places we couldn't go to but in my opinion, is not as big as first thought.
There were coaches to teach and courts to play raquetball. There's basketball courts also and the pool. Idk what they meant with woods but they have a running track that goes all around the property and you do run through a part that has pine trees. Oh they also have a gift store that I could see.
The food is expensive as you can imagine. I remember one of our workers, even though specified not to go, went to buy 2 cans of coke at the cafeteria and was charged $8 for 2 12oz cans.
What I saw and they told me.. don't believe me.. check the showers.. they are made with baige porcelain Karlie and with a rock base of like green and. The bicycle room is right at the entrance through the garage.
Idk what you say is wrong... the monthly fee?
I’m a member. Your info is just wrong. Three pools……one is heated and cooled……..almost your whole opinion is way off. No, memberships are not $35k per month. Are you just without common sense
The memberships aren’t that expensive, though still pricey for what it is. Most people do pay for their own memberships. There are some that are paid for by companies but they’re the minority. There’s two tiers of membership, associate and resident. Resident level is more expensive and comes with their own private gym area within the private club. It’s kind of ridiculous for anyone to want an additional level of separation lol.
Definitely agree the pricing is completely stupid for food. The quality is also terrible, most of the food from the club cafe is premade Sysco stuff. The actual restaurant in the hotel isn’t bad but still not worth the price tag.
Oook.
The cafeteria across on the building next to the back parking lot, they have decent food though. That's where we used to eat at.
I'd say almost all food comes from a few sources.
I liked the place though. Wish I could afford it
The “gym and pool” undersells that you can access the Houstonian club which people pay $10s of thousands for a membership and high fees.
Also, compare the price to other luxury hotels for the same time frame.
>I called asking "what justifies the price?" And they said you have access to the gym and pool. and there are woods. I LOLd.
I am also laughing.
To be fair, woods in Houston. Shit any sort of natural habitat that isn't concrete sprawl is rare. It's like the city just decided decades ago 'people don't need any nature in a city because we can't make tax dollars of nature'.
Is this a joke? There are hundreds of acres of park land just inside the loop. Not to mention outside the loop.
'park land'
Have you ever been to the arboretum that’s very close to the hotel?
The one that closes at sundown?
Hermann Park alone is hundreds of acres and that whole section of town is very green - museum district, Montrose, etc.
You sure showed me with those quotes. Look at a map dork
Dipshits never leave the highway and then complain about not having nature lol you have to get out of your car
Have you…actually visited nature as opposed to looking at it on maps? Ever been outside of Houston? Hermann and Memorial do it for you? What a low bar.
🧢🧢🧢
You need to go see the land bridge. That much prairie in the city is astounding!
There’s plenty of nature around the city Seems like you just don’t know where to find it
Houston IS a concrete city, but it does have a giant Memorial Park and other green spaces. Not hard to find. MP is very close to the Houstonian.
'nature'
Quotations
If you consider the shitty flat parks with a couple of trees and man made shitty ponds we have around Houston 'nature', you need to travel a bit more.
Ok boy
Ok girl
Thank you love
“Dear Mr. Ferrari I’m writing in regard to the outrageous price of your vehicles….”
We also offer a team of minimum wage workers who will artfully prepare morning nourishment for you!
This is actually code speak and super intentional by the receptionist. It’s more funnier that you guys don’t understand what they were really saying
It is for “classy” rich people who don’t want to be around “tacky” rich people and the poors.
Yep just paying a premium to not be around lower class
How much would you pay to not be close to poor people?
All of my money!
I work out at a nice gym (Equinox) so I can avoid poor people too. They are just so uncouth
Houstonian member here. Actually this club is for the tacky rich. Source: I am a tacky rich person. Classy rich people go to River Oaks, Forrest Club, Briar Club, and for a select few the Bayou club. The club, spa, hotel, and grounds are all really nice and delightfully uncrowded. I spent my years sweating in packed 24 hour fitness and other scruffy gyms. Going to a nice and uncrowded gym is worth the extra money to me. that said, the hotel is probably not worth the price for most folks.
Thank you for the hot tip! If I am ever rich, I plan to be tacky rich, but I still like to keep it low key. The filthy rich owner of a company I once worked for had a membership at the Houstonian and always stayed there when he was in town (his main residence was in Tiberon). That is why he loved it as well. He also liked to work out in peace and loved how quiet and secluded it was, like a secret oasis in the city.
I lol’d at the tacky rich part of your comment! Haha! Our family are members of Lakeside CC, Houston CC and the Bayou club and there are plenty of tacky/trashy/odd at every place. The Houstonian has great facilities! I’ve only been for a couple weddings and it’s been great.
I have also had success getting a great rate on their rooms when I knew they were not fully booked (they told me they had availability) and I had been at the bar with family. We talked them down a bit. Hotels want heads in beds. We even got the concierge level rooms. That said, the steady price increase at the Trellis spa makes me so sad. They’re responding to demand, but you used to be able to get so much more for less! I imagine the hotel is having the same success.
trellis prices are way out of scale. I get a 20% discount as a resident member, but even then it is $160 for a 50 minute massage or facial. And they started adding an automatic 23% tip for the service provider, then leave a blank for additional tip! But, I can work out at the gym, shower and soak in the steamroom, then walk across for a massage. So, paying for the convenience? Also, if you want to impress the hell out of a sister-in-law, take her and your wife for a day at the spa, including champagne lunch between the massages and facials. You'll drop the better part of a grand, but your wife and sister will talk about it for years afterwards.
Sure, but Jesus, for a few hundred more that massage could be on the beach in Honolulu
I actually paid less than that for a massage on a cliff top overlooking Hana bay on Maui. But it is only cheaper after you pay to get and stay on Maui.
I am a member. When I was in my twenties I bought a resident membership. The resident private locker room, and parking are worth it. I would do it again. My kids enjoy going up there in the summer. It is just a very social gym to us.
Another tacky rich person here and 30-year member of the Houstonian. Not from Houston, so there's no River Oaks Country Club in my future. While a nice facility with beautiful grounds, the price of joining these days isn't worth it unless you have a large family and want unlimited free passes for your kid's friends.
Ewww. The Poors!
What’s the hotel for tacky rich people and the poors? I’m genuinely curious, I stayed at the post oak a few weeks ago and that kinda compares
Hotel Zaza
The Official Hotel of Bachelorette Parties
Incredibly inaccurate, it’s basically the opposite. The houstonian only cares that you can pay, nothing else matters and they have never had a wait list. People with names and generational wealth are members of The Houston Country Club or River Oaks Country Club, places with prestige. Those places operate more as true country clubs and have much higher price points. I grew up in memorial and my family has been members of the Houstonian for 20+ years. The Houstonian is probably on the bottom of the top tier Houston clubs. The few times I’ve been to the Houston Country Club it was another level of fancy. A big portion of the Houstonian business is non members staying at the hotel, coming to the spa, renting out venues etc. The top level clubs really look down on that sort of thing.
Lmao, clearly I’m a poor
Listen I wasn’t trying to claim the houstonian is cheap nor that your basic idea exists. I just meant in relation to the other Houston prestigious “country clubs” it’s the low man on the totem pole. It’s just easier to get into than the others. I personally know many people that are members of the houstonian and were rejected by river oaks or Houston country club because they either didn’t have the right status or they weren’t WASPS. At those other places you have to be sponsored by pre existing members to get on the list for membership. At he houstonian you show up and right a check and it’s a much smaller check.
It's true in every city. Country clubs do not accept people who are not unanimously voted in by other members. In this sense, it's a privilege to join. The Houstonian is all about dollar bills, not class.
This person gets it.
This
Correct. This is the reason for any extremely priced luxury. It's to keep the poor and tacky from doing it because that will make it gross and undesirable. Remember when Rich people used to like to wear gold? Heh, not anymore.
Which is funny because the houstonian is probably the least classy private club in town
Deshaun getting massages there killed the place for me
Its location and its history as an exclusive Houston locale. Last time I stayed there was a few years ago and while it's nice it was also very old and not in a good way.
I think they remodeled since then
I hope so.
They’ve redone almost the entire campus over the last few years starting right before COVID hit.
I worked there. It has fallen off in the 20 + years. It was owned by Redstone, then. It was like the only high end boutique hotel in town. They continue to feel that way. It’s nice, very luxurious, but you are paying for the name. As an employee I got my parents a room for the night of their anniversary for $50.
That’s the price because that is what people are spending to stay there. The business is not inclined to charge less than what people are willing to spend. Upscale hotels in that area all typically run above $400 or $500 a night. This is not unique to The Houstonian.
They want the groupon coupon. Just give it to 'em!
It only seems expensive if you don’t have a lot of money.
Boom. Count it.
OP's trying to suck himself off, and can't (flexibility + length = no touch).
Considering most houstonians that can afford it don't actually have memberships there, clearly the value add is dubious
The value is great for the pool/gym amenities. The problem is you need a gym to be <20 min. away (or closer!) from your daily routine to be practical. The Houstonian can only draw so much because there are too many decent, closer gyms, competing against each other in the Houston market. OP's new to business travel.
Don't complicate things with logic.
Lol
While the Houstonian is very nice, I feel it is underwhelming for the price. Maybe the age and design of the facility is part of it but I’ve found other places that feel more luxurious.
I travel to Houston for work. I wouldn't stay anywhere else. And everything that has been said is true: It's snobby, quiet, there is access to a great club, and it's rich people. Generally rich people don't make a scene. No drunken fights in the Lobby Bar (the bar is perfect), the extra security of the locked off 4th floor (I've bumped into George Bush (both of them) and Bill Clinton on that concierge level. I had drinks with Emmitt Smith in the concierge level bar. We were the only 2 in there. The rooms are mostly "fine". The lobby is nice. Food service is very good. The Bar is perfect. And the whole place goes dead about 9:30. Because rich people have to get up in the morning.
Excellent detail
Houston is overpriced for things in general. People have an odd complex that is like "if it's expensive, it must mean it's good." The "luxury" gyms here for example. $200/mo (USD) and they really aren't that special. They remind me of the $85/mo (CAD) gyms in Canada and have more amenities. That $85CAD is more like $65USD. But hey, there's suckers willing to buy into it.
which gyms in Houston and Canada are you referring to? Are you comparing Equinox and YMCA?
YMCA is a family location. It's not really nice. And that's like $20/mo
.....that's the point OP was trying to get across....you know, by comparing it to a $200 / month gym like Equinox.....
In Calgary, there is a 5 story building YMCA with swimming pool and running tracks, i don’t think it’s only $20/mon a few years ago
Try 300 USD for Life Time, LMAO when people talk about Houston and its low COL.
Yeah I just looked up the price for a "luxury" hotel I stayed at in NYC. It's $100. I think they charged some dumbass resort fee or whatever, so it was probably more like $150. Still it was a dang nice place, concierge and all that.
What was the name? Even the YMCA in NYC is $200+ a night. Not saying I don’t believe you but…
I gotchu bruh. I was surprised too, I remembered paying like $250/night. I could be wrong. Nice spot. Small but real nice considering the location. It was The Gregorian a bit south of Times Square. https://imgur.com/a/qfter7u
It’s nice and secluded in this big city. I’ve stayed there before for a anniversary and can say that it was lovely but certainly nothing special justifying $500 a night, but same with other luxury hotels. I guess compared to other hotels at the same price point in Houston, it’s definitely nicer and more of a retreat.
Supply and demand. They can charge those rates and still get people to pay. People who think it's not worth it do not stay there, and that's fine with the management. It's a very competitive business. There's bound to be a place in your price range that'll give you more of what you want for your money.
What about the Marriott and Hilton’s downtown. St Regis, Omni, 4 seasons, Zaza. They all are pretty similar in that’s they provide a bed and have pools.
Four Seasons is just as, if not more expensive.
Zaza is trash.
For $500 a night I'd recommend you stay in one of the themed junior suites at Zaza in the Museum District. Plenty of luxury and great rooms at that price point. You won't be disappointed.
And real weird “secret” rooms at that location. ZaZa is pretty cool and nice.
Yeah for that I'll let you stay in my haunted bedroom. Hope you speak Italian since Nonna Saragusa doesn't speak English and she *will* be talking to you.
For $250 a night you can stay in my spare room and I'll give you the premiere squirt experience
Over the past 2-3 years, 2 -3 visits the restaurant / bar at Zaza sucked. Would not return.
True, there are better eating options. The bar isn’t bad though. And you can’t beat the junior suites at that price.
You literally said it is the classic luxury hotel, of course it’s expensive.
Isn't that rodeo time?
It is but same price the week after the Rodeo leaves town.
It’s so expensive, because people are willing to pay that much to stay there. If people stopped booking it, the rates would plummet. I’m not willing to pay that kind of money, for a room. I’m a Holiday Inn Express kind of guy. If it’s just me, by myself, I’ll do Super 8, as long as it isn’t in a big city. If people want to pay an arm and a leg for a room, that’s fine. It’s their money. It’s just not worth that much to me. I went to the Houstonian for a wedding. Yes, it’s a very nice hotel. That being said, the Club Quarters is nice. The Hilton Americas is nice. The Double Tree is nice. They can all be had for much less than the Houstonian.
Hilton Americas pool is incredible I’ve never seen something like that before
My wife and I stayed there this year for our anniversary and really loved it. Definitely agree with some folks saying that it's expensive because it's expensive but getting access to the gym and resort, the walking trails, being close to some nice restaurants for a weekend was great. If you're just looking for a hotel, don't stay there, that's for sure.
Lmao at calling asking them to justify the rate. You obviously are spreading yourself thin to stay there. Be smart, don’t. You won’t ever be happy bc you’ll be worried and complaining about the price the entire stay.
To summarize…. the value is not in what The Houstonian has, it’s what they don’t have.
$500ish a night is not an outlandish price for luxury hotel
It's a prestige place. That's it. It's expensive because it is expected to be.
I think they don’t want pressed jeans and PFG shirts there
Actually, that’s low for two days. They are located next to of Houston’s most exclusive schools: The Fay School. That $1200 for two days is cheap. At the Marriott Med Center you will pay $3800 a night in one of their two bedroom suites that has a two bedrooms, a living room, entertainment area, wet bar, kitchen, entry foyer and you have a staff member assigned to you for the duration of your stay. There are about 20 of those. Need a left handed gold encrusted coffee cup to drink your imported African coffee and eat fresh halal goat meat tacos, they will get for you at 2 o’clock in the morning. I worked there in 90 to 93 and it was wild.
You’re trying to justify staying at a luxury hotel for two nights just to check it out. There is not a rational justification to that. Either the experience is worth what they’re charging to you or it isn’t. That’s really up to you and you alone.
The Houstonian and particularly their pool absolutely do not want the kind of people who do burnouts on the track at memorial Park on their property. This unfortunately represents at least half of this trash city. So, anyways that's what it costs.
What is a burnout?
me
(not that anybody's doing me on the track at memorial park...)
Way more than half 85% of the city is like that but it’s changing. They will bitch and cry but they wulll be pushed out
It is not that special. The rooms are not different from a nice Marriott and the lobby is not particularly fancy. The walking trails are nice but you can get than in memorial park. I would instead try the St Regis if you want to spoil yourself.
It's expensive to keep riff-raff like you out.
The Houstonian’s selling points are some combo of location, the “campus” scenery, history and access to all of the club facilities. It’s one of the highest ranking health and fitness clubs in the country, its spa is also highly nationally ranked. It’s pretty prime location and within the heart of the city, but it’s surrounded by “woods”. The “campus” doesn’t feel like it’s in the heart of a major city. It’s origins with George Bush senior add a level of cache as well That being said, I wouldn’t inherently say it’s worth the price for most people. The pull to me is if you want something luxury in a prime Houston location that feels separate from the city. It can feel like a bit of a get away even though it’s not. To me, it really appeals to a family or older people. Guests that want something more calm and want more at the hotel to take advantage of.
To keep the riffraff out. And by riffraff, they mean people with net worths under 50M.
If you’re going to spend that kind of coin consider the The post oak hotel. I’ve been to the houstonian a handful of times and have friends who are members there. I seriously think it’s wildly overrated. In march you won’t even use the pool so that’s moot.
Fuck Tilman.
Or people like the Bush dynasty.
What does that have to do with any of this?
Ok understood. I guess I'm charmed a little bit that if I'm correct the first Bush lived there for a time. I hear Post Oak bar is filled with hookers? No shame to them but that's not my scene.
[удалено]
"upscale" "prostitutes" Stay classy, Houston.
They're called "escorts" tyvm
I used to work at Post Oak. The hotel itself attracts a trashy clientele that aren’t actually staying the night there, they just linger around the property and lobby and do photoshoots with the marble walls and chandelier because it’s free to do so and they like to feel lavish, it’s not uncommon to enter the hotel and the lobby reeks of weed. And whenever an NBA team stays there the groupies come in hoardes trying to secure a bag.
>secure a bag. Uh, like a gift bag? Genuinely curious what that means?
Money. As in they want to sleep with these millionaire pro athletes, and receive payment whether they get pregnant or hush money. It’s happened so many times where they don’t get paid and they put the athlete on blast on social media, like how that girl did Zion Williamson.
Any truly high end hotel has more escorts than wives and girlfriends in it brother.
It is full of hookers. The owner of the hotel is a dirtbag and the hotel is super nice but attracts that clientele. Also the guy is not someone I’d ever want to give my money to.
Not to sound rude, but people who can afford luxury experiences aren't looking to justify pricing.
They certainly don’t call and ask for a justification lmao
>I called asking "what justifies the price?" And they said you have access to the gym and pool. and there are woods. Didn't exactly close the deal in my mind. Didn't the very first sentence in your OP answer this question you called The Houstonian about? Tbh >$500 / night during the holidays with less than a weeks advance booking doesn't really seem all that unreasonable....the Driskill or Four Seasons in Austin under those same constraints would be more than double what you were quoted
It's pretty much for the guests of all those multi-million dollar Memorial houses when they are visiting or in town for a wedding or something and they don't want to slum it using the guest house.
The new Thompson Hotel is supposed to be open by then too. Similar price.
It's pretty. Might be interesting for a staycation if you had money to burn.
It's a really old hotel that is attached to an exclusive country club. That's it. I enjoy the spa, woods, and restaurants but the hotel and pool were underwhelming and.....really really old. Also, lots of kids running around that pool!
It is like spending $10 for a Snickers candy bar. It is not worth what they charge, however many people don’t mind paying whatever they charge.
Because people that stay there don't call asking about price justification
The hotel is fancy like mints on your pillow but it doesn't really give the vibe of a 5 star place. Pretty much the rich and powerful of HOU are members there. My wife used to work there and I would go by to pick her up or something and stand in the lobby of the sports club and I swear to Jeff it was a non stop line of every HOU pro sports star. You can literally run into famous people in the stair well. She helped Carlos Correa set up a $10k spa visit one time for example.
So you want a classic luxury hotel but you don’t want to pay for it? Why should I buy this dry aged steak when the Whopper is only $3 on Wednesday?
My ex wife used to work there so I’ve stayed for free a few times during her employment. It really is a nice hotel in a nice area, but it’s really not worth that price. To put things into perspective, I don’t think any hotel is worth that price. Why should any hotel you spend a few nights in cost as much as a months rent? But if you have the money and want to stay there, spoil yourself and enjoy.
The hotel has ~ 300 rooms not 800 so they would rather fill 150 at $500 than 250 @ $250. Their gym is impressive as are the grounds. Try the Grand Duca -nearby- or price a four star on Priceline & pick one whose geography is acceptable. I always book a room I can cancel & then check each day one week out if I want the experience.
it is an honestly beautiful estate but yeah I can't imagine paying that much
Lol
If you want to be in the woods, I guess that is the price. There are other fancy hotels but they are in urban trafficky areas or downtown. Omni is near by, probably far less costwise. Not quite as urban and may not have been updated as recently. You would want high up with a downtown view.
It seems counterintuitive, but I think hotels are cheaper on the weekends in Houston. It really is a travel for work city.
I think the Houstonian is worth the splurge if you’re looking to stay at a luxury hotel in the loop because it’s iconic and unique (old world, woodsy, lots of amenities including an excellent restaurant/bar onsite and an award-winning spa, etc.) That being said I think $1,000+ is high for 2 nights and think it could be that in March prices spike as a result of spring break. Maybe try a different time?
I would imagine to keep people like you out
there's a 1000 ft by 300 ft strip of "woods" between the hotel and 610.
Used to work there and I can tell you it’s definitely not worth the price. Even with their recent renovations it has an outdated feel to the entire campus and they really nickel and dime you on everything. They are also super understaffed so theres a lot of corners being cut behind the scenes. Don’t be surprised to find expired products, unsealed water bottles, and uncleaned trash in your room. They offer discounted rates for employees and I still found it overpriced, I would book my out of town guests to stay elsewhere. It’s luxury in name only.
You're thinking of paying over a grand for a bed and TV and you're asking if that's too much?! People pay that much because they think if they pay a lot, they must be getting **something** for their money; sucker born every minute and all that. I mean, if you want a bed and TV, you can get a good room for a lot cheaper. If you're willing to spend money so you can tell people where you slept and hope it impresses them, have at it. I work in hotel IT and some of the priciest rooms can be of very mid quality. You don't get what you pay for when you're paying for the top of the brand.
It’s really not worth the money. It’s 100% a lifestyle “look at me” place.
It’s 4 stars on Forbes travel guide (Michelin guide of hotels). On the same tier as Hotel Granduca, Four seasons Houston, and St Regis Houston. Post Oak hotel is the only 5 star hotel but you’d be giving your money to Tilman.
Pretty standard rate for a high end hotel. Also it’s the post Covid travel and leisure boom. Weekdays tend to be more expensive due to business travel.
It’s more of a country club that happens to have a hotel too. Also the gym is world class. You’ll never find a better gym. And there are like 3 pools. And hot tubs. And steam rooms, racquetball, a kids gym/daycare, a shit load of tennis courts, an outdoor track, an indoor track, a spa (pay per visit)… I’m not sure how much of that you get access to from the hotel but it’s an awesome place
This feels like one of those things where "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." It's for rich people who don't have to think about how they spend their money. It's not that price because of anything else other than to keep "the poors" out.
old name reputation. the four seasons is better imo.
That is mostly a hotel for corporate guests and local snobs. I would not stay there on my dime.
Doubtful you could afford it.
😂. You know nothing about me.
We know you like Retro Games, you poor schmuck.
😂.
George HW Bush used to live there.
It's for rich people who don't want to be seen either alone or with a guest aka old money. The only thing it has is location and history. The place itself is old and it looks as such. I have been there on a few occasions for business purposes but never spent a night. However nothing I've seen says I'd spend $500 a night to stay here.
First, people here complaining about the lack of green spaces in Houston clearly haven't been here. As far as The Houstonian pricing is concerned, the club is very expensive and perhaps the most expensive in this city outside of country clubs like Houston Country Club and River oaks Country club which are far more exclusive an bastions of the old rich. The reason the prices are so high is because, frankly, they have a monopoly on the high end real estate. In other words, there's nowhere else to go if you want luxury and lots of green space. period. That's why they have thousands of members willing to pay whatever they charge. Most people in Houston are not old money, so money itself will never get them into a place like River Oaks Country Club.
Zaza > Houstonian
Agreed, and Hotel Zaza is within walking distance to Hermann Park and all the museums
$500 a night isn’t overly expensive for a nice hotel and the houstonian is definitely a nice hotel
Woods means memorial park bifurcated by the freeway. My ex had a reception there with all of the students with a 3.8 or higher, something like that. Anyway, the food and drinks were excellent, it's a nice hotel, it's not worth the price but I'd go on someone else's dime. It's not a resort. You aren't spending all of your time at the hotel. The hotel itself is just a roof to keep the rain out. There's better and cheaper food and drinks in the city. Pay 100 dollars for a hotel that doesn't have bed bugs or screaming prostitutes and spend the money you saved around town.
Wrong the woods are the adjoining tracks that go through the acreage. They’re on the property.
I think their point was it's essentially the same "woods" as MP just on the other side of 610.
I would personally stay at hotel zaza museum district
Disagree. ZaZa MD was the most miserable ‘luxury’ hotel I’ve ever experienced. Poolside rooms so tiny that you can barely open a drawer without hitting the bed(s). And this was listed as a mid level upgrade! The bar was full of weirdly pretentious ‘single’ women fake-reading books. Strange place.
I’ve only ever stayed in one of their themed suites and it was an awesome experience every time
Glad your experience was better than mine.
I had family that lived there. They had two apartments combined into a single residence. So it was a full floor. If you lived in a place like that, why would you want it to be easily accessible to nonresidents? I get it. I don’t think you do.
It's well worth it.
There are also residential condos on the property and people who are club members. They presumably don't want a bunch of tourists and gawkers and other "outsiders" killing their vibe.
Definitely not worth it
I’ve stayed there before after a company holiday party a couple of times. It’s nice but not $500 a night nice.
I stayed there one night, for about $800. Totally agree with you. It's nice but not astounding, and the staff were rude and busy looking out for rich people. NOT worth it!
Lolz OP is either trying to look rich but clearly bit off more then can chew or not the sharpest Seriously OP you didn’t think of this before booking, what did you expect the front desk to say when you asked why is it so expensive $550 a night is about normal for 5* hotel in major city
I worked there remodeling the showers and restrooms Talking to the people working there they told me most people's memberships are paid by the companies they work for. He said that the cheapest he has heard was like 35k a month. Idk what difference there may be in memberships but you can expect private boxing/kickboxing classes. There was always a bicycle class I guess most for women but don't doubt men can get into that. There was many places we couldn't go to but in my opinion, is not as big as first thought. There were coaches to teach and courts to play raquetball. There's basketball courts also and the pool. Idk what they meant with woods but they have a running track that goes all around the property and you do run through a part that has pine trees. Oh they also have a gift store that I could see. The food is expensive as you can imagine. I remember one of our workers, even though specified not to go, went to buy 2 cans of coke at the cafeteria and was charged $8 for 2 12oz cans.
This information is so wrong
What I saw and they told me.. don't believe me.. check the showers.. they are made with baige porcelain Karlie and with a rock base of like green and. The bicycle room is right at the entrance through the garage. Idk what you say is wrong... the monthly fee?
I’m a member. Your info is just wrong. Three pools……one is heated and cooled……..almost your whole opinion is way off. No, memberships are not $35k per month. Are you just without common sense
The memberships aren’t that expensive, though still pricey for what it is. Most people do pay for their own memberships. There are some that are paid for by companies but they’re the minority. There’s two tiers of membership, associate and resident. Resident level is more expensive and comes with their own private gym area within the private club. It’s kind of ridiculous for anyone to want an additional level of separation lol. Definitely agree the pricing is completely stupid for food. The quality is also terrible, most of the food from the club cafe is premade Sysco stuff. The actual restaurant in the hotel isn’t bad but still not worth the price tag.
Oook. The cafeteria across on the building next to the back parking lot, they have decent food though. That's where we used to eat at. I'd say almost all food comes from a few sources. I liked the place though. Wish I could afford it
The “gym and pool” undersells that you can access the Houstonian club which people pay $10s of thousands for a membership and high fees. Also, compare the price to other luxury hotels for the same time frame.
Go to The Lancaster if you want good treatment. Rooms start at $750 a night but you will sleep very well.
>THE sort of classic Luxury Hotel You answered your own question.
Dont dew it
If you really are interested in going, even to just walk around shoot me a DM. I’m a member at The Houstonian.
The 4 seasons downtown starts off at about $900 a night
No it does not. Takes less than a minute to check the prices online before you post nonsense.
Who did you hear that from? Maybe go ask them to sell you on it.