This is really a 3 and 1/2 star review, but I couldn't bear giving them a 4 star review and telling you all to downgrade it slightly.
Over the last 10 years, I have spent at least 3 nights every quarter in the Galleria area of Houston, and try different hotels on a regular basis to see how they continue to rate. However, my last stay at the Omni was over three years ago because of an absolutely abysmal experience. But my secretary convinced me that because this one of our corporate choices (which I regularly ignore), that I should at least give it a try again. I succumb to my secretary's logic, but only to be reminded that while the Omni appears to try hard, it's all surface fluff, with significant underlying systematic problems.
Simply put, after a horrendous stay three years ago, I was allowed to have "Deja vu all over again", with another mediocre stay.
The Omni started by repeating their error of three years ago. I specifically order a queen or king bed everytime I stay at any hotel. I don't like full size beds, and would rather sleep in a sleeping bag. Three years ago I show up late (because I fly in at the end of the day), with a guaranteed reservation (we'll always charge your credit card .... because we can!) and they claimed they didn't have a king size room (they only have kings and fulls). After telling them point blank that I'd go to another hotel, the "found" one room - a king in a basement like area that was dank and damp. It was a horrible stay.
So when I arrived on the Thursday before thanksgiving, once again they pull the same stunt. Not even bothering to argue, I simply pulled out my trusted iphone, fired up an app, and had a king reservation less than 2 miles away. But I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't be charged on my card for cancelling because they couldn't fulfill my reservation. That would take finding a manager, which since it was after 11PM, I wasn't terribly thrilled about waiting. However, knowing the Omni's mindset that they could do no wrong, I decided to wait.
The manager came and understood why I was cancelling. He was quite nice, and miraculously "found" a king room after all. I was tired. I had to leave in less than 7 hours. I decided to stay. -10 points for the bungled reservation and the diffident underling service, +5 for the manager's kindness and service.
Since I drove, I decided to park in self parking - for which you get the honor to pay a not small sum to enjoy. I forgot that the garage is literally a 1/4 mile away from the elevators and THERE IS NO DIRECT WAY FROM THE PARKING GARAGE TO THE HOTEL THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE YOU TO GO OUTSIDE FOR A VERY LONG PATH. Seriously. Because everyone knows that it never rains in Houston (/sarcasm off), the Omni has there garage without an inside path. But worse, when you're in the garage, you have to either leave from the middle and take this meandering path to the hotel (which requires you to go up and down stairs without any handicapped ramps, great if your dragging a heavy bag), or go back out on the road and either follow the road to the hotel entrance (a good 300 yards), or go by the service entrance and follow a path along the back to come in through the outside restaurant (btw, this is the Omni recommended route - I guess they don't want you to be hit by a car and have the Omni have to fight being responsible). -25 points for the stupidity
This abomination is all the more ridiculous because it would be simple to make an exit to the open air parking garage structure where it nearly abuts the Omni, create a bridge over a small culvert and then put you to the back of the building, where an entrance could be easily made. I asked about this three years ago, and I was told "it's in the plans to be done soon". Guess what? I asked again - same exact answer. - 25 points for the repeated stupidity
Now having had all of this remarkable annoyance, the room was perfectly appointed - simply grandly beautiful with every detail. The bathroom is grand, and probably bigger than my first apartment. Note that there is no in room coffee maker. But, when I awoke at 5AM and went down stairs, there was a free open coffee station with Starbucks coffee - very nice detail. I didn't notice if this was still there after the restaurant opened. +10 for thinking of your customer
My other quality checks were also precisely met. The internet was fast and free - very nice. +10 The showers water temperature and pressure did not vary - another check for quality. +10 There were no unsightly but slight overlooked problems that can easily be found in most hotels (a screw missing from a fixture, a stain on the carpet, etc.) Everything was perfectly in order. I admire this attention to detail and no how hard it is for a hotel to do this. +10.
The breakfast buffet is above average, with the wait staff being very attentive. However, note it's very expensive if not included with your room (~$20)
So, once you survive the fight to get to your room, it's a lovely experience - until you have to fight to get back to your car.
With just a few simple changes (actually have the rooms you reserve, and fix the &%$#%! path to the garage), the Omni would be a 5 star hotel, set in a beautiful high rise business park. Until then, I'll wait another 3 years to give this another review.
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