Courtyard by Marriott Houston NASA/Clear Lake

The room was clean and tidy, the bed and shower were great, and I slept well throughout my stay. The walls also did a good job of blocking noise from other rooms. Staff at the front desk were kind, and the Bistro employee was helpful when I tried the included breakfast on my first day. The menu is quite small, but what they served was tasty for hotel breakfast. I stayed December 18th through December 21st. The hotel is conveniently near NASA Parkway, and the rate was reasonable. I did notice an unexplained $500 incidental hold, but the front desk told me I’d get the money back after checkout. Checking in and out was easy and stress-free. I’d stay here again if I’m south of Houston.

The pool was a welcome way to cool off after a hot day walking around the Space Centre. It’s a short walk from the hotel to the Johnson Space Centre, and the modern, bright property was clean. My room met expectations, and the hotel felt like good value. The concierge staff on both shifts were helpful and informative. Maria from the Bistro made me a delicious chicken sandwich and a good coffee on my first night, and she was warm and welcoming. The woman working there on nights two and three was different. She was friendly with other customers, but her manner changed when I came to the counter, and at times she was nearly rude. She had fair hair. There were lots of NASA employees staying there, and it was amazing to see such talented people. Hearing their Bistro conversations while I and others ordered coffee was inspiring. Courtyard is a very good hotel, and I’d stay again if I were in the area.

Jeni Paredes made my upcoming visit feel special before I’ve even arrived. I’m a Titanium Elite member and have spoken with plenty of hotel representatives over the years, but her patience, professionalism, and care stood out. She took time to explain every detail clearly and enthusiastically, and seemed to anticipate questions before I asked them. On the phone, she made booking and pre-check-in smooth, confirmed my room preferences, and ensured my Titanium benefits were noted. She was warm and confident, and made me feel valued before I’d even walked through the door. I can’t recall another front desk interaction that felt this attentive, especially one handled entirely by phone. She’s set a great tone for the stay ahead. Management should know that Jeni Paredes is a rare find. She made me feel welcomed and appreciated before I arrived, and represents the kind of hospitality I hope to receive.

The room issue at check-in was handled really well. The room type we’d booked online wasn’t available, but the night-shift employee sorted it out quickly and kindly, and we were happy with the outcome. The front desk team made a strong impression, and the rooms were clean, comfortable, and well kept. Breakfast was the rough part. We paid around $41 for two coffees and two breakfast items, and the service from Kevin at the counter was shockingly rude and inattentive. We still tipped and figured maybe he was just having a bad morning. But once we were back on the road, we realized neither drink was made as ordered. My caramel macchiato was sweet cream with no coffee, and my husband’s Americano was plain black coffee. Those are hard mistakes to make by accident. The guests ahead of us had received warm, friendly service, so the difference was striking. It left us wondering why our morning had gone so badly. The photos show what I mean by how far off the drinks were. There wasn’t a drop of caffeine in mine. It’s frustrating because the rest of the team clearly cares about guests and takes pride in their work. One employee can affect the atmosphere and reputation others work hard to build. Still, we’d stay again because the hotel is nice, the location is great, and the front desk staff were so good. We’ll skip the breakfast counter next time. I didn’t want to take points away from everyone else for something they try so hard to prevent.