Hotel Review: AC Hotel Houston
My first lodging experience with the AC Hotel brand was at AC Hotel Pittsburgh. It was a pleasant experience, and I learned that an affordable hotel could be aesthetically pleasing and modern. The elegant and holistic design components of the AC Hotel brand are rooted in its European heritage, and the brand is undoubtedly more attractive to younger audiences when compared to similarly priced brands such as Fairfield Inn or Residence Inn. On my recent trip to downtown Houston, I chose the AC Hotel Houston so that I could relive the experience from Pittsburgh. While the room layout was largely similar, my overall stay experience significantly differed from one another. Let’s find out how it unfolded. Here’s my review of AC Hotel Houston:
AC Hotel Houston is located at 723 Main St, Houston, TX 77002.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of three Free Night Awards after spending $1,000 in three months, each covering up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 105,000 points offer worth $840. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
AC Hotel Houston is located in the middle of downtown Houston, neighboring other Marriott hotels like Le Méridien Houston Downtown and The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection. The hotel’s convenient location makes it a great lodging option for those on a business trip or catching an Astros game at Minute Maid Park. If you want to escape tall city buildings, take a quick Uber ride to the Houston Zoo or nearby city parks like Discovery Green or Tranquility Park.
Lobby & Check-In Review
The lobby was booming with loud music, and the check-in desk was adjacent to the restaurant and bar. Since I checked in late at night on a weekday, the bar was mostly empty.
Although these were technically restaurant seats, people freely used the seats and tables when lounging around the lobby.
The lighting in the lobby was dim, but accent lights enhanced the ambiance. The seating options in the lobby were design-oriented and hinted at its European heritage, which was probably why I thought of Le Méridien Hub at Le Méridien Denver Downtown.
The ambiance and seating arrangements reminded me of Le Méridien Hub at Le Méridien hotels.
The front desk was gorgeously curated; it was sandwiched between two art sculptures that reminded me of Egyptian sculptures.
The front desk was stunning with glossy marble tiles and art sculptures in between.
Unfortunately, my check-in process was mediocre at best. I always dictate my welcome gift upon checking into the hotel, depending on my itinerary. At domestic AC Hotels, Titanium Elite members can choose either 500 Marriott Bonvoy points or a $10 food and beverage credit per stay night. However, he automatically assumed that I would select the bonus points and didn’t even ask me what I wanted. Moreover, the location of the gym or breakfast hours were never explained to me. When I realized that the front desk agent skipped on all the perks and benefits that I would get with my Titanium Elite status, I inquired if I could choose the $10 food and beverage credit as my welcome gift. The receptionist apologized and offered me a breakfast coupon, but I wish I had been given a choice at check-in.
Two iMacs and a printer were available if you needed to print out documents or take care of last-minute emails.
The rest of the lobby featured a workstation with two iMacs and a concession stand full of snacks and beverages. There were no convenience stores that opened late at night near AC Hotel Houston, so I suggest grabbing items in the lobby if you want late-night munchies.
The concession stand was full of drinks—alcoholic and non-alcoholic— and snacks for late-night cravings.
After my dreadful check-in experience, I went up to the eighth floor, where my room was located.
Bedroom Review
My room was on the eighth floor, and unfortunately, my room was right across from the elevator. Marriott used to have the option to select “away from elevators” as a personal preference when making a reservation. Marriott removed the feature for some reason, and I wish they would bring it back since I’m a light sleeper. Going back to the review, the general atmosphere and the room layout were very similar to AC Hotel Pittsburgh. The room significantly limited carpeting and utilized natural components like wood in the overall execution of the room. My room featured a comfortable king bed with an extremely soft comforter.
The bedroom was simple, clean, and modern—precisely the three elements I needed from a budget hotel.
The bed had an oversized leatherette headboard that added maturity and a textural difference to the wooden accent wall. The headboard didn’t come with reading lights, but each side of the bed was equipped with a bright light bar that was very clean-looking. The nightstand was basic—similar to the one you’d find from Ikea—and it had outlets and USB ports for charging your electrical devices. Across from the bed, a smart TV was wall-mounted, and right below the TV, a cushioned wooden bench was available, which could also be used to lay out a suitcase.
Don’t expect a unique lodging experience if you have stayed at AC Hotels before because the room layout would be very similar to each other.
I didn’t expect a fancy coffee maker, but I was slightly dispirited to find out the coffee machine was a basic CV1 coffeemaker. The refreshment stand featured complimentary tea bags and takeout cups, which came in handy in the morning when I had to take a cup of black tea to go.
The coffeemaker was below my expectation, but I didn’t anticipate a high-end machine from the AC Hotel brand.
Adjacent to the open closet space was a smart mini-fridge, which came with two complimentary bottles of water for Marriott Bonvoy Gold elites and above.
If you are Gold Elite or above, you can enjoy two bottles of water for free.
The remaining portion of the bedroom was occupied by a round, all-purpose table with two dining chairs.
I moved the table closer to the outlet on the wall to set up my workstation.
I ended up using it as my workstation, and an outlet was within easy reach, making it a convenient option to keep your devices plugged in during work. The only major complaint I had with the room was that the noise-canceling aspect of the room was relatively poor. Windows in my room faced downtown Houston, and unfortunately, a monorail would pass by every 20 or 30 minutes right in front of the hotel, making the room a less desirable option for light sleepers.
Even though my room was on the eighth floor, I could still hear a monorail running at night.
The bedroom at AC Hotel Houston was perfectly functional. Even though its amenities were limited and comparable to those at budget properties like Fairfield Inn, the modern European design language of the room gave rise to an upscale ambiance.
Bathroom Review
Similar to the bedroom, the bathroom was simple and clean without distraction. The single-sink vanity offered plenty of space to scatter personal items on the vanity countertop.
The bathroom followed the similar aesthetics from the bedroom.
The toilet was positioned awkwardly close to the bathroom door, but luckily, the bathroom's sliding door had an opaque visual element that ensured privacy.
Positioning a toilet inches away from a sliding door wasn’t ideal because noise cancellation was subpar.
The walk-in shower featured a true rainfall-style shower and beautiful glossy wall tiles. However, the water pressure was mediocre.
The walk-in shower featured a true rainfall style shower, and I loved hotel’s choice of wall tiles.
The bathroom provided communal shampoo and conditioner by Korres. The bodywash was unavailable, but the hotel supplemented it with a personal, travel-sized item from a different brand. I hope it was a temporary solution because the AC Hotel brand should consolidate its amenities to provide a consistent lodging experience to its consumers, at least for domestic properties.
Korres stems its beauty philosohpy from Greek homeopathic remedies.
One of the practical design elements I appreciated was a hair dryer that was already plugged in and ready to go.
Some may prefer to have a blow dryer put away, but since I use it daily, I favored it being readily available on the wall.
As a person who uses a hairdryer every morning, I was happy that I didn’t have to get it out from a dust bag and that it freed up additional countertop space, thanks to the blow dryer holder. The bathroom was exactly what I expected from a contemporary budget hotel—clean, bright, and straightforward.
Gym Review
The gym was located on the second floor of the hotel, and it was open 24/7. A row of cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes was facing a mirrored wall in the middle of the gym.
The fitness center was bright and full of new TechnoGym equipment.
They were all brand new gear from TechnoGym, and on the opposite side of the gym, foam rollers, kettlebells, and medicine balls were neatly organized.
Elevate your full-body workout game using these TechnoGym gears!
Nevertheless, the gym didn’t have enough open space dedicated for guests to engage in bodyweight exercises. I suppose I could’ve used the space right behind the cardio equipment, but that would mean blocking the walkway for other people. Towards the entrance, the fitness center had an area for strength exercises, featuring a standard set of dumbbells with an adjustable bench as well as an all-in-one lifting machine.
With limited space, the fitness center could only have one bench.
At the other end of the gym, a hydration station with fresh towels and a filtered water station was available, along with a unisex bathroom so you wouldn’t have to return to your room in the middle of the workout.
I refilled my water bottle at night using the hydration station at the gym.
I appreciated that the gym had modern equipment, but there simply was no space for people to exercise freely. I wish the hydration station could be minimized so that the fitness center could have a dedicated area for yoga/bodyweight exercises.
Breakfast Review
Breakfast was served on the first floor— just a few steps away from the front desk and the kitchen served breakfast from 6:30 AM to 10 AM on weekdays and from 7 AM to 11 AM on weekends. The restaurant presented an entirely different vibe compared to last night. The space was brightly lit, and gentle jazz music played in the background.
The restaurant totally transformed to an upscale breakfast lounge in the morning.
I waited for a few minutes to be seated, but no one approached me, so I ended up finding a table for myself. The breakfast menu looked interesting, and I ordered Chicken and Waffles. Regrettably, when I tried to use my breakfast voucher, the waiter informed me that it only covers their Continental Breakfast Tray. Without reading what was included in the dish, I agreed to order it and realized that it would come with both coffee and juice. However, the waiter never asked me about them when I placed the order and continued to neglect them even after my order came out. Thus, I received a soggy croissant with cinnamon butter, strawberry Greek yogurt, and four orange pieces for my Continental Breakfast Tray.
My Continental Breakfast Tray at AC Hotel Houston was utterly disgraceful.
There was no napkin, and I didn’t even get a butter knife to spread the cinnamon butter. I never received coffee or juice with my order, and I eventually got a cup of water from the waiter after flagging it up a few times. What bothered me the most was that the restaurant was not busy in the morning, and the wait staff generally appeared to be uninterested in serving guests. On a more positive note, the restaurant's ambiance exceeded my imagination. The music was pleasant, and the use of accent lighting elevated the overall atmosphere.
While the hotel nailed interior design of the restaurant, hospitality from the wait staff left much to be desired.
Nevertheless, the quality of the breakfast service was terrible; the wait staff neglected my table, and I had to ask many times for common items such as water and utensils. As I exited the restaurant, I saw Starbucks on the same floor, and I highly recommend ordering your breakfast at Starbucks unless you are fine without a basic level of hospitality.
Starbucks is on the first floor of the hotel, and it will save you from overpriced, below-average breakfast service from the hotel restaurant.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The overall aesthetics of AC Hotel Houston was gorgeous. The lobby articulated its European heritage through design, and my room was no exception. Some may think the room was too simple, but I enjoyed the straightforward, simple, and practical design language in the room.
The fitness center was small but full of brand-new equipment. It was clear that the hotel considered various audiences and possible workout routines in a cramped space.
Negatives
My check-in experience was not enjoyable. The representative at the front desk didn’t ask whether I wanted either complimentary breakfast or bonus points as part of my Titanium Elite status benefit. In addition, I was never informed of breakfast hours or other amenities such as gym hours or location.
The quality of food and service at breakfast was very disappointing. I was only allowed to order the restaurant’s Continental Breakfast Tray, and when I forgot to choose my beverage of choice, the waiter questioned my order. Though I wanted to order coffee, he neglected me during the entire breakfast service, so I could never enjoy the full dish. The Continental Breakfast Tray was miserable, as it didn’t even come with a napkin or proper utensils.
Summary
The AC Hotel brand appeals to young people because of its European atmosphere and simple yet functional rooms. From high-tech elevators to practical design components in my room, I rejoice upon reliving the great first impression I once experienced from AC Hotel Pittsburgh. The bathroom featured a rainfall-style shower, which is often hard to see at affordable hotels, and having a dedicated holder for a hairdryer just made sense to me. However, my room was positioned right across from the monorail track, which unfortunately lowered my sleep quality. My biggest concern was the level of hospitality I experienced during check-in and breakfast. The front desk agent failed to explain my breakfast perks, and the wait staff was neglectful throughout the breakfast service. If you want to stay at a stylish hotel in Houston without breaking the bank, AC Hotel Houston may be your pick, but for anyone else looking for a fundamental level of hospitality, I do not recommend AC Hotel Houston.
