I stayed at the Four Seasons Houston for four nights during a conf. in Feb. My first impression of the hotel upon entering was that it seemed like one of the oldest Four Season properties I've ever been to. I've stayed an numerous FS properties (e.g. Chicago, NY, SF, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mexico City) and this by far looks and feels like the oldest. Even their logo on the side of the building facing the convention center was their old type face and did not have their signature FS leaf logo. Anyway, I digress....The lobby had the typical decor touches that impart a luxurious feel....plush sofas, ample side chairs, the requisite table sculptures and, most curiously in Texas, a chinnoiserie touch to the decor. There's nothing more off putting than being in a hotel whose decor (e.g. the Ritz Carlton Cancun) doesn't reflect their location or surroundings.
The Registration Desk is to your left as you enter the Lobby. There was only one attendant at the desk when I arrived who was already checking in a guest. However, as soon as I stood there waiting, another attendant came from the Front Desk office to check me in. I was pleased with the attentiveness. I was given a king room on the 13th floor. I can't comment on Bell Services upon check-in because AA lost my luggage while connecting through Dallas. That's a whole other Tripadvisor review in the making.
My room was very spacious and the view was excellent as it had unobstructed views of Houston since the lots surrounding the hotel are parking lots. I recommend getting a room on that side of the hotel (the side that looks down onto the pool). From my room you could see part of the convention center, the Hilton hotel and the downtown skyline. The room had a decent sitting area and work desk. The TV in the armoire needs to be updated. However, I did have an ipod docking alarm clock which was a pleasant touch.
The bathroom was quite ample with a sink in the middle of the bathroom. The toilet and bidet were on one side of the bathroom with the shower/tub combination on the other side. Given the size of the bathroom, it would be wise for that property, when planning their room renovations, to get rid of the bidet, separate the shower and tub, add another sink.
Housekeeping was fine. The only complaint, which I have at many hotels is that the housekeeping staff always puts my toiletries on a hand towel. This really annoys me as the bottles end falling over from not standing on a hard surface. I even asked housekeeping to not place my toiletries on a towel and yet each day there they were sitting on a new hand towel.
One of my coworkers was in a room on the other side of the hotel and her view was of the brick building across the street. Her room (queen single) was horrendous in comparison as it was 1/2 the size of my room and her bathroom felt worse (i.e. size, upkeep and fixtures) than a bathroom in a Courtyard by Marriott room. It did feel like she was relegated to a staff quarters. Actually, when going to her room it seemed like you were in a different hotel.
The Fitness facilities on the third floor were fine. The equipment was new and well kept. The location of the fitness cener was a little strange. It's as if they knocked down walls of sleeping rooms to create an open space and made a fitness area. What's strange is that there are sleeping rooms down the hall from the fitness center. Would be convenient to stay in those rooms if your used the gym a lot but quite strange to have to walk by the gym every time you go to your room. I believe they are in the process of remodeling that floor to add a spa and make a proper fitness center. The pool was closed at the time because of remodeling.
Men's locker room was standard. Would be better with the addition of a steam room.
The two Concierges that I worked with were excellent. Very helpful and didn't give you the feeling as if you were burdening them with another thing to do. They are an excellent resource at this property...actually probably the best thing at this property.
All in all, my stay was comfortable. I certainly wouldn't stay there if I didn't have a convention to attend as all of the good dining and shopping are in districts which are at least $8 cab rides away from the FS. Until the FS brings this property up to FS standards, I would look elsewhere.
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