Alden-Houston

04/28/2008 Posted by fishinfoodie

4 of us ate there last week & we all chose the chefs menu with wine pairing ($134 / person). the food was uninspiring & overall we felt we did not receive the food value for the cost. for example, the beef strip steak was stringy. the split pea soup had an unknown crunchy thing in it. for the cheese course, it took over 25 minutes to bring out the cheese & it was just a hunk of blue cheese with 2 pieces of bread. our waiter said dessert was going to be a choice off the dessert menu & then it was time to serve dessert, the waiter said there was only one choice & it was some icky coconut soup. we complained & got a 2nd choice of a chocolate cake - my cake was dry. we eat out ALOT & this meal did not justify the cost & probably should not be on the menu - the chef did not exceed or show his skills much (if at all). would not recommend.

01/29/2008 Posted by nolagirlie

I am giving the Alden Houston a rating of Average because we didn't actually stay there . . . we were turned off before we got inside. The Alden is located in a part of Downtown Houston that is heavily populated by homeless people, and in the blocks immediately surrounding the hotel there are no less than 4 or 5 bail bond locations. Upon pulling up to the curb outside the Alden at approximately 2:30PM on a Saturday afternoon, and waiting inside our vehicle for the valet, a homeless woman walked up to our car and started beating on it and shouting jibberish. When the valet came out she left us alone, but we were left rather shaken. Concerned at this point not only about our personal safety but also about our vehicle's safety, we inquired as to where our vehicle would be parked. We were informed that it would be parked in an "unpatrolled but well-lit" open lot behind the building. No, thank you! I called inside from my cell phone and spoke to the manager, who informed me there was no other parking option. It was at this point that I asked for a refund, even though I had missed the 24 hour required notice. He could have argued with me, but he did not. I was granted a full refund.

07/17/2007 Posted by con_junior

My husband took me here for my birthday. The valet service was terrible - they don't know how to open doors for ladies. The valet stood on the sidewalk, stared at me through the window, and waited for me to open the door. Very odd. The front desk service wasn't memorable, and the service in the restaurant was terrible, too. Although the food in 17 is very good, the waiter had no tact and did not check on us, refill our drinks, etc. Overall, the price isn't worth what you get. I will never stay here again, even if it is a preferred hotel. My preference for preferred hotels is the Hotel Derek by the Galleria.

Pros: The food

Cons: The price, the staff, the service, very small room

03/21/2007 Posted by obviouslyczech

I recently stayed at the hotel over the weekend. I was just wanting to take some time away from the same old routine and a friend mentioned that I should have a weekend downtown and stay at the Alden. When I arrived I was simply shocked. Do not judge a book by its cover, I was truely impressed. EVERY agent was extremely helpful and friendly, not snooty or rude. The hotel had that new modern look, the beds were completely wonderful I almost didn't wake up. Oh and you definitely need to check out 17 the resturant there. The waiter suggested that I try the short ribs.... the BEST ever. Just Check it out!

Pros: Just about everything

Cons: Only Valet parking available

03/21/2007 Posted by ashaw77

I have stayed there several times so I have basis for comparison. It is probably because the staff has turned over 300% in the last 3 years. Their recruiters/human resources people need to be replaced, not their staff. I had to request LOTION. What hotel does not supply lotion? I was staying multiple nights and asked for enough to hold me over. I got one. I am in the business, those bottles cost less than .25 cents when purchased in bulk. The room was not clean, hair in the tub every day. Bathroom was horrible. I aksed the Housekeeper in the hall to show me what she cleaned with. OH MY GOD...they dilute it to cut costs!!! She actually told me that. My room was never vaccumed, not for three days. I even dropped thread on the carpet to make sure. It is probably still there. All-in-all, it was disgusting. I checked out early and moved to a REAL hotel. Don't waste your time or money.

Pros: Food

Cons: Everything other than food

11/11/2005 Posted by houstongroupie

I have stayed at the Alden before and have usually enjoyed it. However every time I call the prices continue to increase, and its not THAT good. Every time we go it seems like something is missing. No more turn down service, no more lotion, no more water. Soon it will be just a bed and a tv. 17 is amazing but not worth staying at the hotel for. My husband and I used to do a package that included the hotel stay and dinner and we enjoyed it. Now I would just rather go to dinner at 17 and then sleep at home. The restaurant needs to leave and go somewere else. It seems that the hotel has done nothing but go downhill. When I went to get information for my niece's wedding, I was first transferred to every single imaginable person in that hotel before I finally got someone who could assist me. She was great but once I was ready to send in my deposit she wasn't there any more. Then I got a girl that told me she had a meeting and did not have time to speak with me. I finally got her to call me back and got some additional information. A couple of months later she's gone too. Does anyone actually work there?

Pros: 17, location to main street

Cons: gettnig transferred around, lack of consistency

06/26/2005 Posted by perez512

I made my reservation through the hotel's website. When I arrived, they had my reservation as sharing a room with someone I have never even heard of. The view of downtown would have been nice--if the rooftop ventilation unit outside our room hadn't been right in front of the windows. The room doors slam shut, so you can always tell when other guests are going in/out. Before I arrived, I asked a question through the "Contact" feature on their website, but they never bothered getting back to me. Not a good value.

Pros: Location

Cons: Overpriced, Small rooms, Service

06/09/2005 Posted by heeto

Had a wonderful stay recently at the Sam.The staff were attentive,the rooms clean and smarlty decorated,and the location suited us perfectly.Minutes from the sports arenas AND the downtown bars and restaurants,esp on Main street.Theatre district close by as well.Would def stay here again.The bar and restaurant served up nice drinks and food. Thanks.

Pros: staff, location, new

Cons: no coffee maker

08/24/2004 Posted by ctcowboy

We spent a long baseball weekend at the Sam Houston Hotel. The hotel and staff gave us a tremendous hotel experience. All employees in the hotel, bar and restaurant introduced themselves to us and each employee was committed to meeting and exceeding our expectations. In addition to the staff, the room was phenomenal, the restaurant was exceptional and the bar was filled with new friends and great memories. I highly recommend the Sam Houston Hotel!!!

Pros: Tremendous Staff, Luxurious Rooms, Excellent Restaurant

04/29/2004 Posted by wengpenny

Having stayed at some of the most prominent hotels and resorts around the world, I am hooked on Sam Houston hotel for any future Houston trips! Their staff is experienced and eager to accommodate your needs all the way through. The sleeping rooms are tastefully decorated. With supreme quality linen on a mattress that is to die for (I wanted to find out where they had purchased those from!) - Ive never slept better! The Veranda on the roof top was the perfect space to gather our field people for our annual kick off party and the hotel assisted me in every aspect of the meeting planning. The central location was really key to us as well. With their signature restaurant and trendy Sam [Bar] conveniently located in the hotel made it so easy to keep our group together. This is a place that has come to stay!

Pros: Superb Mattress/Linen, Tasteful Design, Superb Service