Initially opened as the Remington Hotel in 1982, this 12-floor Galleria luxury property became the St. Regis Houston in 2000 after extensive renovation. It’s everything you’d expect from the St. Regis—“a place where exception is the rule”—but with an added dose of Southern hospitality. The reception desk and concierge are available any time of day or night, as is the hotel’s longstanding signature butler service.
From the lush landscaping in the circular driveway to the plush interiors with spectacular chandeliers and gleaming marble floors throughout the hotel, the St. Regis feels every bit rich and regal. Guest rooms are equally fit for royalty with floor‐to‐ceiling windows and generous Texas-size real estate. Everything is bigger at the St. Regis, and with at least 500 square feet each, the hotel is known to have the largest hotel rooms in the city. With its ideal location and exquisite details, the St. Regis doesn’t disappoint and is likely to be my luxury hotel of choice in the Galleria area.
PROS
-Both check-in and check-out were a breeze. I’m not a happy camper if I have to wait to check-in/check-out.
-Thank you for the welcome amenity and personalized note — the chocolate-covered strawberries were delicious!
-Water is complimentary — can’t believe some hotels don’t get something as simple as this.
-I love the idea of a 24-hour butler for everything.
-The location is perfect — nestled in the very heart of the ritzy Galleria area, next to tons of restaurants, bars, parks, etc. It was around the corner from the conference for me, so it was very convenient for me. Also, it’s largely in a residential area, so it was tranquil and the perfect place to retreat after a long day.
-The room was very spacious and comfortable — I wouldn’t expect any less from a luxury hotel in Texas.
-The sweeping Houston views were beautiful, especially on a sunny morning!
-The lovely curtains weren’t solely for show and managed to perfectly block out the morning sunlight, making it easier for me to sleep in — a MUST on vacation.
-The bar was chic and great for happy hour! The dirty martini wasn’t the best, but certainly satisfactory.
-The service was wonderful — attentive, hospitable, and warm. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff to the concierge, the service was fantastic. I needed an early checkin, and the front staff was very accommodating. I also needed a curling iron and one was brought to me instantly.
-Loved the understated color palette and exquisite furnishings.
-The bedding was as luxurious as can be, with a surfeit of fluffy pillows and the cloud-like down comforter.
-I love the beautiful chandeliers and old-school glamour in the lobby — packs a good punch as far as first impressions go.
-There’s a spa in the hotel, but I didn’t have a chance to check it out.
-A beautiful, state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center was available.
-There was a NORMAL hair dryer that was actually functional.
-The toiletries were the usual Remède brand, as commonly seen in St. Regis hotels.
-WiFi is complimentary — yes!
-Room service was very quick and efficient. I also love that it’s 24 hours.
-Lots of outlets near the bed — perfect for digital travelers.
-Loved that the bathtub was separate from the standing shower.
-There’s a house car for guest use.
-There’s lots of magazines to choose from.
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CONS
-Breakfast was not included.
-There was no correspondence before my stay to figure out my preferences.
-There was no social media activity before, during, or after my stay. In fact, I was beyond flabbergasted when the Director of Marketing mentioned he didn’t see the ROI or point of social media.
-Turn-down service was disappointingly ordinary. Given the high caliber of the hotel, there’s a lot they can use to their advantage and a little extra something out of the ordinary would have been a great touch.
Duration: 1 night, October 13, 2015; 1 night, February 22, 2016
Bottom line: Having stayed at the St. Regis Houston on two different occasions, I’ve checked out the many amenities that the hotel offers. The hotel has all the luxurious amenities of a typical St. Regis property, and my favorite feature is the bespoke butler service. I would definitely stay here again, especially if I needed to be in the Galleria area.
*Disclosure: My stays were hosted by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, but views are my own and accurately reflect my stays. My first stay was a corner room on the 11th floor (1111) and my second stay was the Astor Suite on the 3rd floor (309).
**My policy: there will always be full disclosure about whether my stay was hosted by the hotel or paid for with my own money. And even if the hotel decides to offer complimentary services, my review will never be swayed one way or the other. After all, if my experience was sub-par, and I continue to falsely rave about their services, no one will benefit–not me, not you, not the hotel (they’ll never improve!). So, trust that you’ll receive 100% truth in every review.
St Regis Houston