Where is the best area to stay in Houston?
By Kristal James. August 31, 2022
Houston is the most populated city in Texas and the fourth largest in the US. Known for being one of the world’s major energy capitals this is also the city NASA calls home. It is a thriving, multicultural metropolis served by three airports and the largest port in the US. The city covers a vast area and is well served by a cheap and efficient public transport system. What Houston is less well-know for is a surprising arts and culture scene. It has the largest theatre district outside of Broadway and organises over 400 events annually. The Museum District has 18 cultural, historic and science museums all within walking distance of each other, many of which are free to the public. Situated near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston has near perfect all year round weather. Ideal for visiting it’s beaches, waterparks and antique funfairs.
The best area to stay in Houston is the area around The Galleria. The Galleria, in Uptown Houston, is the largest shopping centre in Texas. It has two large hotels within the complex and an excellent range nearby. Its a shopper’s paradise with every store you could imagine. The Galleria is perfect for families and non-shoppers alike. It has an indoor skating rink, two swimming pools and over 50 dining options. Its central location makes it easy to travel to Houston’s other main attractions and it is very well connected by public transport.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Houston, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Houston, you may also be interested in where to stay in Austin, where to stay in Dallas and where to stay in San Antonio.
The Galleria area, the best area to stay in Houston
Shopping / With Family / With Kids
One of the best places to stay in the Houston area is around The Galleria. The Galleria is a huge mall in Uptown Houston. In fact, it is the largest mall in all of Texas. As you know, everything is bigger in Texas, and The Galleria is no exception. It spans over a whopping 2.4 million square feet and is filled with 400 stores. If shopping is your favorite pastime, this is definitely the best place to stay for you.
However, The Galleria is also a great place to stay for families and even adults who do not care to spend the day roaming from store to store. The Galleria also provides visitors with more than 50 food options, two hotels, two swimming pools, and an ice skating rink. The Galleria is located in a central location and it is easy to travel to other areas of the city.
Other areas to stay in Houston
Downtown Houston
Nightlife / A Weekend / Without a Car
Downtown Houston is best known for its skyscrapers and the business headquarters that make their home in the area. Many people may only see it as the business area, and decide to pass over it, but there is so much more that downtown Houston has to offer! The area has grown in recent years, and there are now a large array of restaurants to choose from, as well as several museums, shopping centers, and parks. Downtown is a great place to stay whether you are in town for business or if your entire family is visiting.
Additionally, downtown Houston is a great place to stay if you are looking for somewhere to enjoy the nightlife. There are more than 50 bars and nightclubs in the downtown area, so you are sure to find one that fits right into your lifestyle. The One-Armed Scissor and Houston Watch Company are two popular bars to visit in the downtown Houston area.
Medical Center
Hospitals
Houston is well known for its medical district, which is an area just south of downtown. The area includes over 60 different hospitals, research institutions, and clinics, including the number one cancer hospital in the world, as well as the number three children’s hospital in the nation. There are over 160,000 people visiting the Houston Medical Center each day, so you can be sure that you will find some way to entertain yourself.
The Medical Center is easily accessible through public transportation, with the city’s MetroRail running right through the middle of all the hubbub. The Medical district is a great place to stay whether you are in town for medical treatment, or if you are just visiting the city. The Medical Center is not far from the Museum district, as well as one of Houston’s largest parks: Hermann Park. With all of these sites nearby, the Houston Medical Center is a great place to stay and visit.
Energy Corridor
With a Car / Business
The Houston area is so full of energy-related companies, that there is an entire area of the city dedicated to these businesses. In fact, there are more than 4,600 energy-related companies, with many of those located in the Energy Corridor. This one area of Houston is responsible for more than 94,000 jobs. The Energy Corridor is located right along Interstate Highway 10, which runs straight downtown. You will be able to easily visit other parts of the city with a car. The Energy Corridor spans over 2,000 acres and is in a very busy part of the city.
This is a great place to stay if you are in the city for business, especially for energy or oil-related business. It is also a great place to stay if you like to shop; it is not very far at all from the Memorial City Mall and Town Center.
Westchase
With a Car / Safe / Quiet
The Westchase area of Houston is one of the best overall neighborhoods in the city. It is located in the western part of the city, and it is known as both a residential area and a business area. Westchase provides Houston residents with employment opportunities at more than 1,500 businesses. Interestingly, Westchase is also home to Houston’s only Japanese market, and it is not very far from Houston’s Chinatown.
Westchase is an ideal place to stay for whatever reason you are in Houston; it is an easy drive to the most popular areas of the city. Within the Westchase area, there is enough to do that you might not even want to travel out of the area. There are plenty of hotels in the area, including two large convention hotels. You will find any kind of restaurants that you could possibly want, from steaks to Persian, Tex-Mex, or ramen. Don’t forget to stop by the famous Westchase Farmers Market as well!
Greenway Plaza/Upper Kirby
Tourists / Restaurants / Nightlife
Greenway Plaza, as well as the adjacent Upper Kirby, is located halfway between downtown and uptown. That means that it is a great place to stay if you are needing to commute to either of those areas. This area is also home to two of Houston’s most famous neighborhoods: West University and River Oaks. Greenway Plaza was deliberately planned so that anybody living or working in the area may never need a vehicle, though most residents still have one.
The Plaza is designed so that work opportunities, living spaces, dining options, and grocery stores are all within walking distance of one another. There are also a wealth of amenities in the area, including many hotels, a huge movie theater, and plenty of opportunities for a very lively nightlife. This area is also home to Levy Park, which offers free programs to visitors several times a day, as well as a dog park and a children’s park.
Willowbrook
With a Car / Shopping
Willowbrook is located in the northwest of the city of Houston. The area is mostly a residential area, though it is a great place to visit if you enjoy shopping. Probably the most famous landmark in the Willowbrook area is the Willowbrook Mall. The mall is equipped with more than 160 stores, 23 restaurant choices, and 14 different options for snacks or drinks. Best of all is Willowbrook Mall’s stacked list of events. The mall hosts everything from workout groups to pet adoption events and blood drives.
If you do not enjoy shopping, there are plenty of other forms of entertainment for you nearby! The National Museum of Funeral History is in the area, as well as the Fallen Warriors Memorial. Sam Houston Race Park is also nearby, where you can go and watch some horse races (and sometimes some wiener-dog races!). Additionally, there are also several parks and breweries nearby.
Our recommended hotels in Houston
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in HoustonNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
