The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria

I really appreciated how the whole staff handled things after I fell in my room. Security got the EMTs to me quickly and made sure a wheelchair was available in case I needed it. The room service was fast, and the food was great: fluffy Red Velvet pancakes, well-seasoned breakfast potatoes, and Yuka fries that the attendant told me about. I enjoyed those, along with the tender, succulent Ribeye. The room had a lovely view of the Uptown area, a very comfortable mattress, and restrooms stocked with amenities in case you’d forgotten toiletries. The shower had strong water pressure and stayed hot for a long time. Valet service was fast and excellent, the bellhop helped quickly and gracefully, and the front desk was attentive both in person and over the room phone. This is hands down one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at. It’s centrally located, with places like DXL, restaurants, and museums only about 10-15 minutes from the Royal Sonesta. I’d give it five out of five and recommend the Royal Sonesta for a Houston trip or staycation. The stay was phenomenal, and I appreciate everyone at the Royal Sonesta - Houston Galleria.

The staff are friendly, but management really needs to rethink its policies and put more into the building. My room was very noisy, with a lot of highway sound, and the parking costs a fortune on top of the already expensive room. Breakfast was much better at the little restaurant nearby. I'd look elsewhere, there are better places around.

The desk staff and manager were extremely rude, and neither seemed apologetic. I won't stay at Royal Seneste Hotel again, and I've told my coworkers to avoid it too. I booked through my company's online travel agency in mid-February, but when I arrived at 8 PM, the receptionist said the hotel was sold out and had no room for me. There was a convention in town that week. They said they'd arranged a room at the nearby Holiday in Express, but when I explained that I was meeting a coworker there and didn't need to stay in the same hotel, they kept saying there was no availability for me or nine other guests. The female manager said they'd cover my Uber to Holiday-inn Express. When I got there, they had no room for me either. My company's agency eventually found me a room elsewhere for over $600 a night. I had no choice but to take it. Over the next two days, I called the Royal Seneste Hotel manager to ask about reimbursement for my Uber rides from the hotel to Holiday-inn and then to the new hotel. She didn't answer or call me back.

The rooms felt pretty average for what they cost. The bedding and pillows were nothing special, the bathroom seemed old, and the carpet didn't look especially clean. The rest of the property made a better impression: the grounds were nicely landscaped, the lobby, bar, restaurant, and convention floors were well done, and the staff were great. It was an okay stay, but I expected more for the price.