It is about time that I start to write on this.
Welcome! I haven’t kept a blog since the early days of livejournal, when everyone thought it was OK to post your 15-year-old thoughts on-line thinking that they wouldn’t follow you ten years later. Luckily, that blog was deleted long ago.
What I hope to host for you here are information quick bits of things going on in Downtown Houston, places to check out, news you might need to know, and eventually I will have special-themed days.
For now, I’m just going to let you know that if you need to take a break but don’t want to have to go too far away to do it, hole yourself up in one of the many fine hotels in Downtown Houston.
First stop, The Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Avenue.
I recently did this at the Magnolia Hotel. They were having a special (make sure to see below, so you can take advantage of the current on-line special) and I decided it was probably best for myself and those around me if I just got away for a night and relaxed. I purchased my reservation on-line, parked my car in my usual spot and left it there and walked a few blocks to Texas Ave. and checked in.
It was simple, easy, and even though I was carrying my workout bag (and felt a little bizarre staying in a hotel even though I live about 5 miles away) as an overnight bag, no one batted an eye. Even as you enter the automatic, sliding glass doors, you enter into a well-lit wonderland of a change of scenery.
Easy check-in and you’re whisked up to your room.
The room is super clean, the bed topped with plush pillows (not too many to where you might drown in them) and the view was spectacular! I wish the bathroom had a shower stall only but I can live with a garden tub/shower combo. I noticed my closet was lacking a bathrobe, so first thing I did was call housekeeping and they immediately brought it to me. Done & done.
The Magnolia also makes sure that you know you have the opportunity to leave your room should you feel the need to be around people or socialize, so make sure to go downstairs and check out the complimentary happy hour with domestic beer, wine and soft drinks.
Should you feel inclined to do more than click the remote on the TV, or sweat it off on the top floor in the workout center, you are centrally located to the Houston Theater District, restaurants (Timpano, Azuma, Sambuca, VOICE, Vic & Anthony’s, to name a few…), bars like La Carafe or Warren’s (great jukebox and go sit in the elevated area and drink a glass of champagne for me!), Minute Maid Park if the Astros are home, Warehouse Live is only a short cab ride away (by the way, did you know you can get around Downtown Houston for only $6, visit houstondowntowncab.com for more details), Toyota Center….the list is endless….and if you feel like you need to pray, go right across the street to Christ Church Cathedral.
The room service menu is not so great (but the actual room service is speedy!), so either order something in from elsewhere or, like I said, take a short walk to some area restaurants. I ordered a pasta dish but it was mainly because it was last resort — nothing sounded good and I rarely eat pasta unless…it is a last resort. Menu was a tad on the boring side. And as far as I know, they do not have a restaurant in the hotel…just some little deli thing but this is my vacation, I need more than peanut butter crackers, my dear.
After your night out or a few episodes of Friends or Will & Grace (whatever does it for you), or maybe you took a dip in their rooftop pool or gazed over the edge of the balcony and breathed in your surroundings of the scenery around you (new-ish Courthouse to the south and you aren’t closed in by too many buildings so you actually have a view!)…whatever it may be…definitely go back downstairs to where you had your happy hour and grab some cookies and milk (complimentary cookie buffet) to help you slip away into la-la land.
Pre-set wake up call helps me rise, open the curtains to a bright new day with a refreshed person. No one could bother me, no computer nearby, phone was on silent.
Performed the usual morning routine, got dressed for work, grabbed a banana from the substantial, complimentary continental breakfast buffet (don’t go to this place on a diet, people!), sat down and read USAToday, sipped some Starbucks coffee, and had a painless check-out and walked four blocks back to my office. And looked to see that car was still there. Check!
So here is what you have been waiting for — Magnolia Hotel offers e-mail deals every so often. Sign up on their website – you never know if you need a hotel vay-cay until the opportunity arises. Just click on the offer below and hopefully there is still some space! Do it for you. Do it for your friends/boyfriend/girlfriend. And since this one is for couples, if you feel like bringing them along for the fun…what a treat for them!
Rate is available May 2, 3 & 4 and May 9, 10 and 11! $99 per couple per night. It is only available on-line, so clickety-click-click the image.
And for the history buffs: Originally the corporate office for Shell Oil Company and later the home for the Houston Post Dispatch newspaper, the Magnolia Hotel in Houston opened in March 2003 after extensive renovation. Hailed as one of the most impressive office buildings in Texas, Magnolia’s restoration has re-established the 1926 historic landmark as one of Houston’s most distinct properties.
The quick-and-easy lowdown:
