By Mary Alice Foster
Houston
Texas
Photo gallery
Houston, Texas, was born of the dreams of two New York real estate brokers who wanted a place where people could come to be part of the new Republic of Texas. They admired General Sam Houston for all of his work and named their new city in his honor. Today, Houston is ranked as 4th largest city in the United States, and is a rare gem among cities with much to offer visitors.

EscapeWizard.com invites you to book your next holiday to Houston. The city can be reached through a few different airports. The first is Bush Intercontinental (IAH), located just 23 miles north of downtown between I-45 and Highway 59. The William P. Hobby Field (HOU) is just off I-45 and Monroe; 7 miles from the business district. Book your flight now with EscapeWizard.com. To do so, click on the link for flight arrangements (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php). When you book your hotel with EscapeWizard.com, refer to our top selections for Houston hotels for help in finding a nice place to stay. We recommend the Hotel Indigo as the best place to stay in the entire city. Then vacationers can book their hotel experience by clicking on the following link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).

Once you arrive in Houston, there is an almost endless list of things to do. First, EscapeWizard.com recommends taking a trip to the Downtown Aquarium. It holds 500,000 gallons of aquarium exhibits. For your best deal, purchase an All-Day Adventure Pass which gives unlimited rides and access to the exhibits. There are several exhibits that are permanent such as: Louisiana Swamp, Shipwreck, Rainforest, Sunken Temple, Gulf of Mexico, Discovery Rig, and the White Tigers of the Maharajah’s Temple. This last exhibit is truly breathtaking. Travelers can walk into a room that transports you to a Maharajah’s Temple, and there are beautiful white tigers behind a glass wall walking around or lounging lazily throughout the room. You can take pictures of these beauties; they are truly gorgeous to look at. Vacationers get a great deal when visiting the Downtown Aquarium.

Another enjoyable place to visit is the Houston Zoo, which houses over 4,500 animals. If you happen to be in the city on the 1st Tuesday of any month, EscapeWizard.com recommends picking that day to visit the zoo because from 2 p.m. to closing there is free admittance. You will find a variety of different animals among the exhibits: mammals, African wild dogs, Birds in the aviary, aquariums, Asian Elephant habitat, the reptile House, primates and many others. Make plans to spend an entire day at the Zoo in Houston.

The next location that EscapeWizard.com recommends to anyone who enjoys science and space exploration is the NASA Space Center Houston. This facility has an amazing tram tour that you can go on, an astronaut gallery where you can view spacesuits and photographs, a room where you can take part in a Living in Space simulation, a Starship gallery where you will find actual spaceships used throughout the years, and several other exhibits.

Houston is a great place for nightlife. You will find an eclectic range of nightspots throughout the city. You will have so many choices to pick from as far as restaurants, bars and clubs. You may want to go for the country and western clubs or maybe a new jazz club is more your style. Whatever your preference may be, there is plenty to see and do at night in Houston, Texas.

EcapeWizard.com highly recommends a vacation to this fantastic city in Texas. The city has a little bit of everything for everybody no matter what your interests. Just click on the link up above and book your next stay in Houston with EscapeWizard.com.
Hotels in Houston
By Summer Brons
Hotel Indigo
5160 Hidalgo Street, Houston, TX
Photo gallery
Hotel Indigo brings a unique twist to modern Houston lodging with fresh colors and creative design. This boutique-style hotel is located at Houston's fashionable Galleria Mall, in the heart of the uptown district, and is just a short drive from downtown.     

Indigo was created with comfort in mind, and caters to both the business and leisure traveler. The hotel features social areas with plush couches and chairs, wireless Internet access, four function rooms, and 131 guest rooms. Additionally, 24-hour business and StayFitTM fitness centers are available, and Priority Club Rewards members earn points for each stay. Hotel Indigo has its own restaurant, too; The Golden Bean Café & Phi Bar. The Golden Bean offers breakfast and dinner, and features a tasty, clever menu and Starbucks coffee in a colorful café setting.     

Accommodations in each guest room are everything a visitor needs to regroup after a busy day in Houston. Cozy pillowtop mattresses and deluxe bedding, premium cable, spa-inspired showers with Aveda bath products, hardwood flooring, and a unique design in each room are standard at Hotel Indigo. Suites are also available for those in Houston on an extended stay, or guests simply looking for a little extra space to stretch out. Varieties of special packages are available when booking a stay at the hotel, and offer a combination of everything from breakfast to movies.     
For guests looking for a change of pace from regular lodging options, look no further than Hotel Indigo at Houston Galleria. Visitors will find themselves in a relaxing, inspiring environment at a convenient city location, all at an affordable rate. Just click here (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl), to book with EscapeWizard.com today.
Hotels in Houston
By Summer Brons
Crowne Plaza
1700 Smith Street, Houston, TX
Photo gallery
Situated conveniently in downtown Houston, the Crowne Plaza offers an ideal location and rich accommodations. Houston visitors will appreciate the amenities of this hotel whether in town for pleasure or business.     

The Crowne Plaza is just minutes from the Houston Theater District, Houston Galleria, and the Houston Zoo; as well as endless dining and entertainment options. Many major business companies are also within minutes of the hotel, making the Crowne Plaza ideal for folks in town for that big client presentation or contract negotiation.        

On-site services include 24-hour business and fitness centers, an outdoor pool, complimentary local shuttle, wireless Internet access, and 12,000 square feet of function space for meetings and other events. The Crowne Plaza has its own dining option as well, the Brazos Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Brazos also includes a lounge and a room service menu.     

After a busy day around the city, guests can relax in one of 259 private rooms. Rooms feature a 32" flat screen television, premium cable, coffee maker, iron and board, hair dryer, and upscale bath amenities. Crowne Plaza also offers a unique Sleep Advantage Program, which includes a Tempur-Pedic bed, guaranteed wake-up call, quiet zone room location, sleep CD, and sleep amenities like an eye mask and earplugs. All Priority Club Rewards members will also earn points for their stay here.    

With fantastic accommodations and an unbeatable location, the Crown Plaza is an ideal choice for any Houston visitor. Convenience and plush amenities cater to all guests at this lovely downtown hotel. Just click here (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl), to book with EscapeWizard.com.
Hotels in Houston
By Kathy Heydasch
Element Houston Vintage Park
14555 Vintage Preserve Parkway, Houston, TX
Photo gallery
Energize yourself while on vacation or business travel at the Element Houston Vintage Park in Houston’s bustling Northwest district. Fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for an exciting adventure in the beautiful city of Houston. EscapeWizard.com can take you there!

Room accommodations at the Element Houston Vintage Park include a wide selection of options. Guests can choose from a Deluxe Room or an Executive Suite (complete with dining area), with other suite options that include one or two bedrooms and roomy living space. All rooms come with The Heavenly Bed®, a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator and sink, and high-speed Internet access.

Element Houston Vintage Park has a 456-square foot meeting room that can accommodate guests for just about any function, from a birthday celebration to a high-stakes business meeting. Features include a flexible layout, a 50” flat panel television, and complimentary Wi-Fi for all.

Eighteen minutes from downtown and 25 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Element Houston Vintage Park is a respite away from the hustle and bustle of large cities. It is located close to the famous Willowbrook shopping complexes, so guests can dine and shop in style.

If you want to relax in your hotel, look no further than the Element Houston Vintage Park’s amenities, which include a business center for all your needs and an outdoor pool and patio. Four nights a week, they host an evening reception where guests can meet and relax.

Visitors can grab a wholesome complimentary breakfast at the Element Houston Vintage Park, plus enjoy the convenience of a grab-and-go market where you can buy snacks and even meals to cook in your room for a wholesome option to dining out.

While in Houston, be sure to visit nearby attractions. The hotel is conveniently located within 6 miles of attractions like St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, the Windrose Golf Club, and Mountasia, a family fun resort with bumper boats and go-karts. Or guests can shop at the nearby Willowbrook Mall.

Element Houston Vintage Park is an excellent selection for hotel accommodations in Houston. It can be booked by following this link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) to EscapeWizard.com.
Hotels in Houston
By Keleigh M. Quinn
Westin Houston, Memorial City
945 Gessner Road, Houston, TX
Photo gallery
With an ideal location and luxurious amenities, The Westin Houston, Memorial City, is a perfect choice for your stay in the Houston area. The hotel is close to many of the area’s most desired attractions, including the Contemporary Art Museum, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Bayou Bend, and the Houston Holocaust Museum. You will also find outstanding restaurants and nightlife right outside the door. The Westin Houston, Memorial City is next to the Memorial City Mall and very close to the City Centre area.

The guest rooms at The Westin Houston, Memorial City are designed for comfort. You can choose from a variety of rooms and suites, depending on your needs. Some suites include bar and dining areas perfect for entertaining. All rooms make it easy to stay productive and connected while on the road with separate work areas, dual-line speakerphones, and high speed internet access, available for a fee. The rooms also feature a coffee maker and complimentary Starbucks® coffee; you will also have a refrigerator, which can be stocked before or after arrival on request. Stay entertained with a 37-Inch LCD TV with cable channels and a daily newspaper delivered to your room, and you will certainly have a restful night’s sleep on the Westin Heavenly Bed®.

The Westin Houston, Memorial City offers several dining options in addition to 24-hour room service. The Ingredients Café offers coffee and a variety of quick, to-go meals throughout the day, while the 024 Lounge offers cocktails and small plates in a modern setting with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Also available is Trattoria Il Mulino, an Italian restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The extensive wine list and rustic décor is sure to please any traveler.

If you’re looking for some relaxation on your trip to Houston, you can schedule a spa treatment either in your room or at the spa facility. There is also a roof-top, heated infinity pool and deck available for your use, complete with a food and beverage service. You can also take advantage of the WestinWORKOUT® gym, featuring individual TVs and a yoga area.

No matter what your reason for traveling to Houston, the Westin in Memorial City will meet your every need. Click here (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) to make your reservations through WhatsCheaper.com.