Highlights: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

•The Four Seasons Hotel Houston is a very sleek hotel, featuring Art Deco style mixed with antiques

•Excellent location in downtown Houston in the heart of the business district

•Stunning, well-organized rooms designed as an urban oasis

•Mobil Four-Star Italian restaurant with antipasti bar and 25 different wines by the glass

•Extensive, elegant meeting rooms and business center services

•Near cultural and shopping venues

Amenities: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

• 404 rooms, 30 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Restaurant, two bars. Fitness room, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

With views of the city center from just about every window, the Four Seasons Hotel Houston is a luxury hotel set right in the middle of everything. Houston’s skyline features many interesting architectural styles in the high-rise structures, and most of them are just outside your window. The view is quite dazzling.

This is the kind of hotel where what’s outside becomes secondary -- you come here to be pampered and to escape life’s realities as much as possible. One step into the lobby and you are transported into a European-style venue topped off with a grand staircase of polished wood. Stunning floral arrangements are one of the hotel’s trademarks.

The hotel is true to the Four Seasons brand, with excellent staff and guest services. It might not be the best choice for a romantic getaway since it’s in such a business-oriented location, but the hotel has a full program for children and welcomes families, especially on weekends.

Weekend guests tend to stay on the property to enjoy its many perks (being in a business district, there is little to do within walking distance of the hotel). That said, guests can walk to the MetroRail station and be whisked away to any of Houston’s new, booming areas, including the Art District, which is just a few minutes away. If it’s culture you seek, the hotel isn’t far from a downtown movie house and several theatres. While the location itself isn’t that romantic, the hotel offers various weekend and romance packages that are attractive enough to make you want to stay in and relax in the famed Four Seasons beds.

(+) Great service and Four Seasons style, especially for those on business trips
(-) Not the most idyllic location for romantic getaways

Guest Services: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

When I called the Four Seasons Hotel Houston to make a reservation, the reservations agent handled my requests and described a variety of rooms and rates so that I could understand the size and price differences, and then asked if she could make dinner reservations for me.

Upon arrival at the hotel, I was warmly greeted, offered baggage assistance, and escorted into reception where check in was swift and efficient. All staff members I encountered from arrival to room orientation to baggage delivery were warm, friendly, efficient, and very much on the ball.

Hotel operators always answered quickly, were well-informed, and thanked me for choosing the hotel. When I went to the concierge desk, the concierge was very helpful and provided maps and directions, although he only made one restaurant recommendation for dinner. His choice was a winner, however, and I enjoyed my meal thoroughly. Everything about housekeeping was outstanding. I sent out laundry with a forgotten item inside the pocket -- the item was returned to me in good condition.

For the most part, my visit to the Four Seasons Hotel Houston was a seamless stay. All aspects of service were a credit to Four Seasons–fully satisfying to guests who demand the best.

(+) Four Seasons’ hospitality at its best

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Guest rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston are situated in a tower and are priced by size. Since there are slightly more than 400 rooms in this hotel, it’s good to know the choices. The smaller rooms are 280 square feet and are called “moderate.” The superior rooms are almost 100 square feet larger, which makes a big difference, especially if there are two people sharing a room. Deluxe rooms are 450 square feet and come in a variety of styles, be it a corner room with big-time view or a Poolside Room, which all have patios overlooking the grounds, the pool, and, of course, the surrounding architectural parade of business towers.

The hotel’s guest rooms have an elegant residential feel; many are decorated with antiques. My room was well soundproofed. The bed was plush and inviting and featured high-quality bed linens. The desk area was large enough to allow me to work; the television was placed so it could be viewed from the desk, the easy chair, or the bed. The bathroom was a good size; there were plenty of bath amenities. Both the bathroom and bedroom were immaculately clean and well-maintained. While my room was not overly large, it was so beautifully decorated and thoughtfully arranged; I found it to be very comfortable and inviting.

(+) Stunning room that was on the smaller side, but well-organized

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

The Four Seasons Hotel Houston does not have a full-service spa, but they do offer such spa services as massages and facials; it also offers an excellent health club. Locker rooms are well-organized and offer plenty of towels and amenities, including complimentary fruit and juice. The outdoor pool looks like a Mediterranean oasis. For guests who want to play golf, racquetball, or engage in other sports activities, the hotel will arrange guest privileges at the appropriate club.

The hotel is extremely close to Minute Maid Park, home to the Houston Astros; within walking distance to the Convention Center; and very close to malls, museums, and the well-known Aurora Picture Show. The River Oaks Shopping Center is less than three miles away.

(+) Located near all of Houston’s downtown attractions, including sporting events, shopping, and cultural venues

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

After a dinner out of the hotel upon the concierge’s suggestion, I dined in the Four Seasons Hotel Houston for breakfast. My server knew the menu well and offered suggestions and details about a variety of the items listed. Overall, the food was delicious, and the service and presentation were delightful.

Lunch in the hotel’s Mobil Four-Star Italian restaurant, Quattro, was quite enjoyable. The hotel uses the name Quattro -- the number 4 in Italian -- to represent four meal services: the three regular meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and then an antipasti bar with more than 20 different items. Quattro also prides itself on its wine list.

One highlight was my in-room dining experience. The order taker was thoroughly professional, guiding me through the ordering process, discussing the details of the various selections. The menu was a mix of Italian specialties and comfort foods, probably chosen for the road warriors who frequent this hotel. The table was rolled in and set up so that I sat on the bed instead of a chair—not ideal for me -- but beverages were opened and poured, and the food looked and tasted great. Once I had eaten and called for tray pick-up, the table was cleared within four minutes of my call.

(+) Good restaurant and room service

Business Services: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

The Four Seasons Hotel Houston has a business center but also offers concierge help with business services on a 24/7 basis. Concierge staff is multilingual; translation services are offered with special attention for those who need translation to and from Japanese. During my stay, the business center staff was helpful, knew how to operate the equipment, and was able to help with faxing, printing, and photocopying.

Complimentary sedan service is available for guests who need local transportation to meetings or presentations. The Convention Center is just down the road.

The hotel offers more than 18,000 square feet of meeting space, including a formal boardroom that can accommodate up to 18 people, and a ballroom that can fit 600-plus guests. The boardroom is quite a meeting place, with its long wooden conference table, high leather chairs, Venetian chandeliers, fine antiques and artwork, and built-in projection screen.

(+) Extensive meeting space and excellent business services offered around the clock