JW Marriott on Westheimer by the Galleria

Good clean hotel at the Galleria. Nice overall and the bar is pleasent too.

Unique Quality: You can walk directely across the street to the Galleria, THOUGH, be careful it is a wide busy street. There is ample parking to the rear of the hotel, valet service is also available.

Directions: North side of the Galleria on Westheimer.

This hotel has to be the quintessential hotel in the Galleria area. I have a great room with extras including a flat-panel HDTV-capable television and a day bed. This hotel, while a bit more expensive, is significantly better than the Westin Galleria. I cannot wait to stay here again.

Updated (2007/05/14) - This week they were working on wiring for HDTV signals.

Updated (2007/06/05) - They have completed the upgrade to HDTV.

Updated (2007/08/19) - The use of the three racquetball courts is not free. It is $7/hr-person with your own racquet; otherwise it is $14/hr-person.

Unique Quality: The rooms include two FREE bottles of water. The bed is extremely comfortable, second only to Westin's Heavenly Bed.

The complimentary gym on the 5th floor is fantastic. Dumbbells available from 5 lbs. to 50 lbs. Three adjustable flat benches, various circuit machines, and cardio equipment abound. The pool patio is a great place to hang out as it overlooks Westmeimer--if only it were open 24/7.

Complimentary parking is available across the street next to the Walgreen's. However, at night, going back-and-forth between this free lot and the hotel is a bit dicey as it's a bit secluded and not well lit.

Directions: Located across the street from the Galleria

I have friends who have worked at the J.W. Marriott, so while I have not personally stayed here, I have heard many of the details from behind the scenes, as well as having visited the property myself on several occasions. First off the hotel is located directly across the street from the Galleria Mall, excellent for shopping. The hotel decor in the lobby is very nice. More of an old hotel feel to it, by no means a new boutique hotel style, but very elegant. The hotel was originally an Intercontinental, and was purchased by Marriott in the late 1980's, so it does differ from most Marriotts in the layout of the property. Very nice lobby bar with several T.V.'s, and full menu to order from. It does only have 1 true restaurant, which is a little unusual for the upscale standards of J.W. Marriott hotels, but it is very pleasant, and a wide variety of food is served. All rooms, including the 20+ suites have recently been renovated, with all new bedding and amenities. The staff, from my experience, is what is best about this hotel. Very accomodating, willing to help guests out in any way possible.

Unique Quality: The pool and workout facilities at this hotel are top notch. The pool is both indoor and outdoor, with the deck overlooking Westheimer Blvd. and the Galleria Mall. The workout area is like a mini version of a gym that you would pay for a membership to. Excellent equipment, wide variety of machines and free weights.

Directions: Located in the Uptown District, just across Westheimer from the Galleria Mall.

Most frequent travellers choose a hotel chain to stay with so that they can save up the points they need to make a free stay happen. If you are a Marriott fan, then the JW Marriott by the Galleria is definitely high on the list of places to stay in that general area.

I enjoyed the room that I visited here, however I did not stay so can not give a better recommendation.