The Most Budget-Friendly Hotels in Houston

Hotel Derek is easily spotted, a glass skyscraper gleaming in the uptown skyline, while inside the sense of class and polish is evident everywhere. The decor pays tribute to the oil-soaked history of Houston, and works by local artists are on display throughout. The rooms are minimalist but comfortable, offering tremendous views over the uptown district. There’s a small outdoor pool, a relaxed restaurant with a globe-touring menu and, on certain nights, you can watch films in the pool area.

A short distance from the Greenspoint Mall, the Hyatt Place is a spacious hotel in the business district, but that doesn’t mean it’s charmless. The airy rooms have a muted color scheme with charging ports and large flat-screens with DVD players. There’s also a fitness center and outdoor pool. The restaurant serves tacos, burgers and other staple items and the bar has a varied wine selection. There’s also a cafe which is active throughout the day.

Aloft hotels bring boutique style and comfort into a more cost-effective setting. There are two in Houston, and the Katy edition sits just yards from the eponymous boardwalk, where you’ll find seemingly endless shops and restaurants. Like the surroundings, the hotel is modern, with sleek furniture and naked bulbs in the common areas. The rooms have a similar design, with cubist chairs and tables, strong primary colors and big wall-mounted TVs. Downstairs the Re:mix lounge offers lit booths with velvet lining and blue pool tables, and the WXYZ bar offers signature cocktails.

Fairfield is a subgenre of Marriott, with economy pricing while retaining signature charm. As the name suggests, this one sits right in the middle of the Energy Corridor – the business district of Houston – making it a popular stop-off for work travelers. That doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer more casual guests, however, as the rooms have big soaking tubs, warm color schemes and coffee makers. There’s a sizeable lounge with a fireplace to warm up next to before bed, as well as a big indoor pool and 24-hour gym.

Granted, “Medical Center” isn’t something anyone wants to see in the name of their chosen hotel, but if you can move past this obligatory nod to the nearby research facility, you’ll find a comfortable stay with a surprising number of appealing amenities. The outdoor pool is huge, with a neighboring hot tub, and the fitness center has a broad range of options. There’s a dedicated breakfast buffet space, as well as a snack bar for daytime fixes. Some of the rooms feature kitchenettes with a microwave, but all have coffee and tea-making gear as standard.

Anyone visiting Houston with an eye towards shopping would do well to stay near The Galleria, the largest and most popular mall in the city. The Courtyard – a warm, art deco-style hotel – could hardly be closer. It’s not all big budget shopping though, the hotel also has comfortable well-insulated rooms, a restaurant with a varied menu of classic meals, a bar, a cafe and an indoor pool with a whirlpool tub. Thoughtful services include optional hypo-allergenic bedding and blackout drapes to ensure the best possible night’s sleep.

Another option in the list of Galleria-adjacent hotels, the Hyatt House has a couple of big draws, one of which is the kitchenettes available in some of the rooms, which will appeal to guests wishing for a more autonomous experience. Those who like to be catered to will likely appreciate the bar and restaurant, which serves pizza, tacos and some fine options. There’s also a long list of cocktails – enjoy by the outdoor pool, which is invitingly lit at night and even has a neighboring fire pit.

The Greenway Plaza is positioned well for visits to The Galleria or NRG Stadium, both of which can be accessed via the free shuttle service. All the rooms feature characteristically plush Hilton beds, with room and concierge service – something not found at all cheap hotels. Equally atypical is the restaurant, which has Texan cuisine and sits separately from the bar, which offers craft beer and handmade cocktails. There’s a big outdoor pool with lots of lounge space and guests can expect the signature DoubleTree cookie on arrival.

In the heart of the trendy downtown district, the Club Quarters offers convenient, quick-fix hotel options for people who like things straightforward. Guests can take a standard room, a full suite if they’re willing to splash out a bit, or an apartment if they’re staying longer and need something with a bit more capability. The Table Bistro offers some great gourmet plates and an impressive wine list, and the lounge area has a flexible working space, coffee and wireless printers. The George R. Brown Convention Center is yards away, and the downtown restaurants and bars are tantalizingly close.

Hotel Ylem is difficult to miss with its huge nature-inspired mural welcoming you into its midst. Quirk is the name of the game when you get inside, with wall art featuring metal lettering spelling out hashtagged phrases, furniture with magazine collage-inspired linings, and wardrobes shaped like travel cases. Each room comes with a tablet which can be used to order food and drink. Netflix is available and there’s a bar in the common area plus a snack shop and cafe. The NRG Stadium and Park are both nearby, and The Galleria is within easy reach too.