Hotel Review: Le Méridien Houston Downtown
The Le Méridien brand’s global presence goes beyond major cities, and there are interesting Le Méridien hotels at exotic destinations such as Le Méridien Bora Bora and Le Méridien Angkor. International Le Méridien properties tend to fully express their brand identity of being sophisticated and classic, but when I stay at Le Méridien hotels in the U.S., I often find that the expression is lost in translation. I recently had a chance to stay at Le Méridien Houston Downtown, and I was worried that the hotel wouldn’t capsulate its brand identity. Although I saw room for improvement, my lodging experience at Le Méridien Houston Downtown was pleasurable. Here’s my review of Le Méridien Houston Downtown:
Le Méridien Houston Downtown is located at 1121 Walker 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 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $3,000 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 does come with a hefty $450 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, the mid-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
$300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit that can be applied towards your room rate
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
One free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Access to Priority Pass lounges
15 elite night credits that can prove helpful for chasing Bonvoy status
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
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 American Express 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! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSMaWs?xl=cp19&mpt=v0
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 five Free Night Awards after spending $5,000 in three months, each covering up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 250,000 points offer worth $2,000. This is the highest sign-up bonus we’ve seen for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, and I highly recommend grabbing the card if you are under Chase 5/24. 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.
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
One free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
15 elite night credits that will help you achieve a higher Bonvoy status (this cannot be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card above)
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.
Please note that you can only earn 15 elite night credits from a personal credit card and the other 15 elite night credits from a business credit card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 15 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! https://www.referyourchasecard.com/252f/QJPU5UFB4R
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 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $3,000 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’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
One free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
15 elite night credits that will help you achieve a higher Bonvoy status
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual free night certificate 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 American Express 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! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSN1lx?xl=cp19&mpt=v0
Lobby & Check-In Review
Since I drove from Austin, I had to park my car. I didn’t want to pay $38 for a valet and opted for a self-parking option at the adjacent garage. The daily rate at the garage was only $25, and it was only a few steps away from the hotel. I went up to the second floor, which housed the reception desk and Le Méridien Hub—the brand’s contemporary reinterpretation of the hotel lobby.
The accent furniture and decor objects spotlighted the Le Méridien brand’s European heritage.
Because I arrived late at night, the lobby was quite dim, but it was filled with modern furniture and decorative objects. Le Méridien Hub was designed for guests to gather and connect, and the hotel was spot on with the representation.
I visited the hotel in early January, and the hotel still had traces of festive spirit in the lobby.
There was a long multi-purpose table, but I would’ve personally liked the space more if there were more tables because I always look for a good spot to work remotely.
This table would’ve been a great communal workspace had there been an outlet power hub.
The check-in area was aesthetically pleasing; the combination of three separate marble desks and the abstract modern backdrop worked very well.
The monochromatic color scheme of the front desk matched its minimalistic design.
I originally booked a regular king guest room, but upon checking in, I was upgraded to a suite, thanks to my Titanium Elite status. After receiving the card keys, I went up to the 19th floor where my suite was located.
Living Room Review
As soon as I entered my room, I was immediately greeted with a warm hardwood floor and a living room setup that reminded me of a boutique apartment. There was a white rectangular dining table, along with four dining chairs and an interesting modern art fixture on the wall.
I used the dining table as a work table when needed, and an outlet was aptly positioned.
There was an outlet right by the dining table, and it quickly turned into my workstation. The refreshment station had an espresso machine by illycaffè as well as two complimentary bottles of water. The refreshment cart housed a mini-fridge as well, and you could easily adjust its temperature setting by pressing buttons on the exterior.
I wasn’t a big fan of illy coffee as it was too acidic for my taste.
The couch was comfortable and was big enough for an adult to crash for a night or two. The white circular marble table was my favorite and the carpet accentuated the initial apartment-esque impression.
The accent furniture in the living space reminded me of the Le Méridien Hub and instantly connected me with the brand’s European roots.
Across from the couch, a smart TV and an LG sound bar were sitting on top of a mid-centric media console. The sound bar had punchy bass, and though the TV stand was showing some age, other furniture were in great shape.
I underestimated the sound bar, but it significantly elevated the audio experience.
I think the living room captured the upscale aspect of the Le Méridien brand very well. The living space was thoughtfully curated with high-quality furniture, and it felt authentic without feeling enforced.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom was contemporary but felt slightly generic compared to the living room. Another smart TV was sitting on a dresser, and a lounge chair was squeezed in between the wall and the dresser.
I didn’t think the lounge chair was needed in the bedroom.
The bed was a king-size bed with asymmetrical nightstands on each side, and with plenty of USB ports and electric outlets, you wouldn’t need to worry about charging your daily devices nearby.
The design identity of the Le Méridien brand suddenly became generic in the bedroom.
The bed was acceptable, and the faux-leathered headboard added modern design touch. However, the wallpaper behind the headboard felt out of touch; I wish the hotel incorporated artwork illustrating the Le Méridien brand’s European heritage or downtown Houston.
One of the USB ports was damaged and didn’t charge devices properly.
The closet door was a sliding door that functioned as a door for both the closet and the bathroom, which was a clever approach to saving real estate.
The closet door doubled as a bathroom door, which meant when one is open, the other is closed.
Lastly, the bedroom was carpeted, and I wish the hardwood floor from the living room extended to the bedroom. Even though the carpet was fairly clean, keeping the bedroom free of carpet would pervade the boutique apartment-like atmosphere throughout the entire suite.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom shared a sliding door with the closet in the bedroom, and it didn’t come with a locking mechanism. The absence of a lock created more gaps than the ones with locks and didn’t soundproof noise from the bathroom well. The bathroom featured a single sink vanity and had a huge, back-lit mirror for the size of the bathroom. I think the hotel could’ve made the single sink vanity into a double sink vanity if they really wanted to, but I had plenty of countertop space in return.
The wallpaper somehow reminded me of city lights of downtown Houston at night.
The toiletries were by Malin+Goetz; the shampoo and conditioner had pleasant lemongrass and peppermint fragrance to them, and most importantly, they didn’t dry my hair out.
Malin+Goetz products are known to be gentle and effective.
The bathroom was spacious and had two showers: a walk-in shower and a step-in shower. I prefer to use a walk-in shower most of the time, but this one had a strong bleach smell that I just couldn’t stand. Also, the door was extremely heavy and kept getting stuck. Thus, I had to give up and used the step-in shower for the rest of my stay.
Both shower options desperately needed attention from the maintenance staff.
Adding to my frustration, the shower head of the step-in shower was broken and was very noisy; the water stream didn’t remain consistent during the shower which made my showering experience somewhat irritating. Additionally, the tub was rather narrow and shallow, and the shower liner was so light and kept moving whenever I take a shower. While I valued having both walk-in and step-in shower options, I shouldn’t expect to encounter a broken shower head or a strong bleach smell in a suite bathroom. If the hotel could improve on those details, the bathroom would be a much more inviting place for guests.
Gym Review
The gym was located on the 23rd floor, which was the top floor of the hotel. Upon entering the fitness center, there was a hydration station with regular towels and a mini-fridge for chilled towels.
Refrigerated towels could allow you to instantly soothe and refresh you after a workout.
Along the wall facing downtown Houston, a row of Life Fitness treadmills were neatly positioned. Although they were slightly older models, they seemed to function well.
Because of double glass walls, I couldn’t clearly see outside when using a treadmill.
Life Fitness equipment, such as cycling machines and ellipticals, was scattered on the gym floor.
High ceilings allowed the gym to be well-ventilated.
The floor was bright in color but felt a bit cheap. I personally thought it didn’t suit the gym’s atmosphere, but it showed no concern for durability. At the deeper end of the gym, there was a dedicated area for lifting equipment.
The extra padding protected the gym floor from heavy weights.
There were two adjustable benches with a standard set of dumbbells as well as an all-in-one strength machine set up by the corner. Even though that was the only strength equipment available at the gym, it came with a handful of attachments to make the workout a 360 experience.
A solid all-in-one strength machine can save precious gym floor space.
I appreciated having shock absorbent mats placed around the lifting area. The gym had mirrored walls, which made it appear bigger than its actual size. The lifting area had incredibly high ceilings, making the room feel airier and less claustrophobic. In my opinion, if the hotel chooses to renovate the gym, there is a lot of potential without sacrificing much real estate. For instance, the Austin Proper Hotel had Tonal, which is all-in-one equipment. The price tag could be a major concern for the hotel, but it doesn’t require much space and packs numerous strength workout options in just a single device.
Breakfast Review
Because I’m a Titanium Elite member, I received a free breakfast coupon upon checking in, and the coupon was good to cover one drink and one entrée of choice. I used it the next morning at the restaurant on the first floor—Zutro.
The quirky light fixture and colorful wall mural made the restaurant more vibrant.
The restaurant was bright and inviting, and the colorful mural on the wall and the interesting light installation from the center column added another layer of design to the space. I visited the restaurant early in the morning, and I was seated immediately.
The restaurant had outdoor seating options available as well.
Unlike my positive first impression of the restaurant, the dining experience went downhill soon after I placed an order. After browsing the menu, I ordered eggs benedict and coffee. When the waiter served me coffee, the coffee had visible dust particles floating around, and I presumed that the coffee mug was dirty. Then, I noticed that my water glass had a dead fly in it and had to ask the waiter to change the glass to a new one.
The dead fly in my water cup was a clear indicator that I should’ve walked out of the restaurant.
The eggs benedict came out, and the egg muffin was not toasted and soggy. Moreover, the egg whites were undercooked, and the hollandaise sauce was not runny.
My eggs benedict was dreadful, and I barely touched it.
I barely touched the dish and asked for my check. I double-checked with the waiter that my breakfast coupon would cover the entire bill. Contributing to my substandard dining experience, after I checked out, my electronic receipt stated that I was charged for breakfast. I had to dial the hotel, and the front desk resolve the issue immediately, but my breakfast experience was a trainwreck, to say the least.
Summary
Le Méridien Houston Downtown showed me that the brand’s European heritage is not always lost in translation in America. My suite resembled a boutique apartment; mid-centric furniture and warm hardwood floor in the living room accentuated the hotel’s Le Méridien brand identity. Although the bathroom only featured a single sink vanity, it came with two showers, and the gym was clean and showed potential for future upgrades. Even though my breakfast experience at Zutro was a nightmare, I still recommend Le Méridien Houston Downtown for those looking to stay at a pleasant and modern property in downtown Houston.
