Hotel Ylem

The lobby and room décor were unique, and they reminded me of the Moxy, where we’ve stayed in AZ. There was plenty of free parking, and both check-in and checkout went smoothly. LaToyna or LaTayna checked us in, and she was personable, welcoming, and kind, with a lovely smile the whole time. While she was checking in my husband, I noticed a huge picture of JayZ in the lobby. I asked if it was there for Black History Month; I was told it stays up because the owner loves JayZ’s story, how he grew up and how far he’s come. I was very pleased that the room was generally clean, especially after reading reviews that raised questions about cleanliness. We’d brought our own sheets, pillowcases, and towels to be safe, but didn’t need to use them. Still, the bedside desk was sticky, and the bathroom floor was sticky and dirty. The furniture and floors need a good cleaning. The microwave, on the other hand, was immaculate. There was no soap dish or other spot for body wash, shampoo, or conditioner, and I didn’t see anywhere to hang towels. I had an early appointment, so we couldn’t have breakfast, which starts at 6:30 a.m.

The front desk woman was welcoming, and the customer service was great. They offer a convenient shuttle to NRG. I missed the turn because the hotel is kind of hidden, but inside I liked the Halloween decorations and stairwell. Whoever put together the music playlist did a great job, too. Our room felt muggy and musty, and stayed that way all night. The pillows were pretty flat, so one person needs all the ones they provide. Good thing I brought my own. The shower was nice and warm, but the soap, shampoo, and conditioner smelled bad. Breakfast wasn’t great: biscuits and gravy, overcooked eggs, sausage patties and links, plus lots of different breads. The coffee was terrible, the cranberry juice tasted watered down, and the orange juice was sour. The stay wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t awful either. You get what you pay for.

The hotel had a charming boutique feel for a chain price, and the location worked perfectly for our medical center trip. We had plenty of places to eat nearby. Some little cosmetic fixes would help, like touching up scuffed paint.

I drove from Baton Rouge to Houston because my dad was having surgery. The hotel was beautiful inside and very clean, and the manager, Mr. Leo, and the rest of the staff were so nice. I expected to leave after two nights, but ended up needing a few more. When I called the front desk, the manager was able to give me my room back. I’d definitely stay here again.