Houston is a sprawling metropolis that blends big-city excitement with Southern hospitality and cosmopolitan flair. While the city has plenty of luxury digs, savvy travelers know Houston is also home to an array of high-quality yet affordable hotels perfect for those watching their vacation budgets.
From trendy boutique inns to wallet-friendly chains, Houston has attractive lodging options for every travel style and price point if you know where to look. Let this insider’s guide lead you to some of Houston’s top value hotels for experiencing the best of Space City without going over budget.
Chic Boutique Hotels on a Budget
Don’t assume style and swank necessarily translate to high prices in Houston. The city has a thriving crop of sleek boutique hotels perfect for trendsetters and younger crowds that keep rates refreshingly affordable compared to sky-high luxury resort pricing.
Situated in a renovated 1960s tower, Alden Houston DownTown delivers mod style, ultra-comfy rooms with high-tech amenities, and even pet-friendly policies starting at around $160 per night. The hotel’s rooftop patio and lounge area overlooking downtown provide an oh-so-Instagrammable amenity.
Over in the trendy Midtown area, you’ll find Le Méridien Houston Downtown with its contemporary, Euro-inspired vibe and rates around $140 per night. The hotel’s outdoor salt water pool surrounded by lounge cabanas makes a relaxing urban oasis.
Another hip, design-forward boutique pick is Hotel Alessandra in Downtown. Recently named one of the World’s Best City Hotels, it offers luxury at shockingly low prices, with rooms often under $200 per night. Splurge a little for a higher floor to take in dazzling skyline views.
Midtown and Downtown Hotel Deals
Downtown and Midtown are ground zero for experiencing the urban heart of Houston. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay in these prime locations. Major hotel chains offer attractive midrange and budget options for under $150 per night in these central areas.
Brands like Courtyard, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Fairfield Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn all have outposts within striking distance of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and sports venues. Look for stays near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green park, and Main Street for maximum convenience.
For example, the Courtyard Houston Downtown/Convention Center offers spacious modern hotel rooms less than a mile from Discovery Green for around $120-150 per night. While the Hilton Garden Inn Houston Downtown has recently refreshed rooms starting at $130 nightly, putting you in the heart of the Main Street corridor.
Excellent Values Outside of Downtown
Houston covers a massive area, and you’ll find some of the best value hotels located in quieter neighborhoods and suburbs ringing the downtown core. The Galleria area and Houston’s Energy Corridor business district offer upscale lodgings at affordable prices.
Look into chains like Drury Inns, Best Western Plus, and Home2 Suites in these areas. The Best Western PLUS Houston Westchase’s spacious suites, free hot breakfast, and outdoor pool deliver tremendous value usually under $120 per night.
In the Galleria area, the TownePlace Suites Houston Galleria offers apartment-style suites with full kitchens ideal for longer stays at rates around $125 nightly. While the hip Zaza Houston Memorial City brings trendy boutique hotel style to the Energy Corridor with reasonable rates around $160.
More Affordable Houston Stays
For even lower rates to stretch your travel dollars, Houston neighborhoods like the Medical Center, Greenspoint, Greenway Plaza, and Westchase Districts have a wealth of budget and extended stay hotels.
Chains like La Quinta, Extended Stay America, and Candlewood Suites let you snag comfortable digs for $70-100 per night with apartment-style rooms, kitchenettes, and laundry facilities for longer stays. La Quinta Inns in particular have a strong presence around Houston with ultra-low rates, breakfast included, and amenities like pools and gym access.
For an authentic Texas experience, look into the area’s charming motels and motor inns like the Inn at Westpark just outside the Energy Corridor. This retro 1960s property gets rave reviews for its cleanliness, friendly service, free parking, and very low rates from $60-90 per night.
Insider Deals and Ways to Save
No matter where you stay, take advantage of travel booking sites like Hotels.com and Tripadvisor to compare rates and amenities. AAA and AARP members can also score discounted rates at many hotel chains just by showing their card.
Pre-purchasing hotels through packages on sites like Expedia rather than booking a la carte can help you save even more in Houston. And considering alternative accommodation options like Airbnb apartments or vacation home rentals through sites like Vrbo open up many more budget-friendly stays around the city.
With its larger than life personality, vibrant attractions, and cosmopolitan dining scene, Houston offers travelers amazing urban adventures. And thanks to the city’s fantastic lodging variety and bargain rates, you can experience it all affordably with a savvy, value-minded hotel stay. Save on where you sleep to splurge on making magical Houston memories.