Magnolia Hotel, Houston
The Magnolia Hotel Houston is a true downtown landmark, housed in a stunning 1926 neo-classical building. Originally constructed for the Shell Oil Company, it later became the headquarters for the *Houston Post-Dispatch* newspaper and even hosted the city’s first radio station, KPRC.
Designers have done a fantastic job of nodding to that history throughout the property. A clever, subtle detail guests often spot is the collection of vintage typewriter keys embedded into the lobby columns, a direct homage to the building’s journalistic past.
Beyond the history, the hotel offers some great perks, like a rooftop plunge pool and the nightly tradition of serving complimentary milk and cookies. The on-site bar, The Dispatch, is a perfect spot to unwind, featuring a cozy library and billiards room that leans into the building’s classic, storied atmosphere.
Location-wise, you are right in the thick of the action. It is just blocks away from Daikin Park—home to the Houston Astros—and within easy reach of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Whether you’re heading to the vibrant Theater District or exploring the nearby nightlife, you are perfectly positioned.
For a broader cultural fix, the famous Museum District, home to institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is only a short trip away. It’s a great mix of old-school grandeur and convenient access to everything that makes downtown Houston so lively.
Expert reviews
“Layered in luxurious velvet and damask, the 314 rooms in this downtown hotel are both stylish and comfortable. Built in 1926, this landmark building once housed the Houston Post newspaper and later was the US corporate offices for Shell.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Free Wifi
Location
Recent guest reviews
14 June 2026
Poor
Location, room was clean
The AC was sub-par, we even changed rooms. It was hot and humid the entire stay, even in the hallways. I'm from Houston and have stayed here several times over the past 20 years and I was put off with the ac issue, it's June in Houston and trying to get dressed with make up for a special event in a sauna like environment is just unacceptable. Additionally, the bathtub was strangely small on the interior, even though it looked nice from the exterior. Very slippery, nearly injured myself trying to shave my legs. We ordered 2 meals with room service and both were small portions, no trays and mediocre, at best. Overall, the price per night and $$ for amenities was waaaayyyy too much. The bar was sad and the billiard table and pool cues could have been picked up from Goodwill the day before. All were probably nice 10 yrs ago. Also, very sad This hotel used to be MUCH nicer. I have observed a marked downturn in quality from the last time I stayed here about 4 years ago. Might as well stayed at a Motel 6. $480/night.....LOL. never again. Checked out the Lancaster while attending a function at Jones Hall and it is MUCH nicer and located with even better access to Theater and Toyota Center for concerts. Very, very disappointing birthday present for my Boyfriend this weekend.
1 June 2026
Exceptional
Entrance of the hotel. Great space of room.
Not enough light in room.
23 May 2026
Not worth the money. Not a recommended property. Third party pictures and description of the Wellness Suite is not repre
Location
Staff was not honest about the availability of amenities. The Valet took an hour to retrieve luggage and deliver to room. Broken lamps. Needs renovation.
10 May 2026
nothing to celebrate
The bed was comfortable
The walls are thin and I could hear the conversation from the other rooms and all the noise from outside. Hard to sleep with all the noise
4 May 2026
It was nice ,comfortable bed, and staff was nice
The artwork and how you had to use a keycard to go to a floor.
My city view room was just a view of a parking lot garage building
4 May 2026
I loved the view
It was big
It was hot at night things were randomly falling in restroom while asleep not cool and nobody could explain anything
27 April 2026
Exceptional
Super cute. Amazing vibes.
Looks like a small nothing hotel outside inside it’s huge And beautiful
19 April 2026
Did the job, but wasn’t very pleasant.
Walking distance to daikin stadium.
Ac barley worked, elevators where barley responding to Input. For the price paid the room was very bare and not interesting. I have stayed at multiple other tribute portfolios, they had way more style and interesting things going for them (themes and such). I hate to sound like a total Karen. The staff was phenomenal and I had no issues whatsoever. I feel I could have got the same room somewhere else with half the price. Or also gotten a room for the same price somewhere else and gotten a lot more.
14 April 2026
Did not stay the second night
Comfortable bed
Bath faucet fell off in middle of my shower
13 April 2026
Wonderful! Exceptional
Beautiful clean property! The entire staff from reception the the restaurant/bar staff! Thank you to Robbie and Ty and Tawanda for being so kind!!
N/a
20 February 2026
Exceptional
We really enjoyed the breakfast, Roberto was very friendly at the restaurant, and he also speaks Spanish very well
Everything was fine
18 February 2026
Passable
We liked the location.
Its overrated and a bit false advertising.
16 February 2026
Stay was ok but could of been better...
Good location, spacious room with a good View.. staff was friendly especially the valet service....
There were things that wasn't available in the room, you have a full kitchenette no utensils... in the bathroom the shower curtain look like it had been pulled down and just placed back and the tub drain did not work... also my booking said that breakfast was included only for me to find out that it wasn't once we got there... one of the friendly staff members did provide us with a voucher but the booking shouldn't say breakfast included if that isn't the case...
25 January 2026
Given the opportunity & would definitely stay here again!!
Beautiful hotel! Staff was very pleasant & accommodating! Room was clean & VERY roomy! Not the “typical” cracker box room with just enough space to walk around the bed!
14 January 2026
Unforgettable
The food, the staff, the room all way higher above expectations. Unforgettable stay.
13 January 2026
Exceptional
Everything as good.
Nothing
1 January 2026
I loved how clean and helpful the staff was.
It was clean and comfortable
It was awesome
17 December 2025
AMAZING!!!
Everything was on point! Staff excellent facility outstanding!!!
Room was clean very spacious bed was super comfortable loved it!
17 December 2025
Always Relaxing
Very big and comfortable room really enjoyed my stay.
Room key for elevator.
3 December 2025
Overall just a plain experience. I guess my expectations were high based apon the amount of nice hotel options the that
Good views. Clean.
Front desk staff not welcoming or friendly. Restaurant/bar staff was not good. Poor people skills and not attentive. Breakfast was bland.
20 October 2025
Disappointing
The shower sucked
28 September 2025
Nice
Lobby was great. Staff was great
Bathroom was shabby. Floor wasn’t clean
25 September 2025
Pitta ful
Bar
Room was hot and AC was at 60 and when called to complain the lady on nights hung up on me twice
3 September 2025
Exceptional
It was a very nice property. The front desk workers were very nice the complementary and drinks were perfect
What I did not like about the property was how the pool on the rooftop closed at 11 o’clock. I feel if we pay that much money for that room we should be able to enjoy the rooftop city view as well as the pool all night.
20 August 2025
Too hot to handle
The hotel was nice. Comfortable beds and the staff was extremely friendly
Our room had no cold water. Every faucet came out scalding hot. Then, when maintenance came, the dude couldn't speak clear enough English even communicate with me or my wife. Kept telling us it was fixed when, in fact, it was not. The water was so hot I couldn't even take a shower that night and we had to switch rooms which were it ended up not being the City View that I paid for, had a nice view of a bulkhead but that was about it. The staff offered to change the room to one with a better view on a lower floor, but when we got to that room, it too had no cold water. Everything was scalding hot. What was supposed to be a fun date night for my wife and I turned out to be a stress filled wreck that damn sure wasn't worth the $300 a night experience I'd hoped for. Instead of romance and fun, I got attitude and arguments. Not exactly what I had envisioned on my trip to the magnolia.
18 August 2025
Exceptional
Everything, it was a perfect stay and appreciated the short distance to Daikin stadium.
The elevators were not working properly, but other than that, everything was amazing.
13 July 2025
Quiet, exceptional, and family friendly
Location was perfect to walk to the Daikin Park for an Astros game
N/A
12 July 2025
Great Hotel , nice room comfortable beds.
Very Convenient for getting around to all of the City.
5 July 2025
Exceptional
The location was great, super clean and quiet, staff was friendly.
3 July 2025
will not stay here again due to inconvenience for our special needs child
hotel smell, proficient staff
elevators not working, our special needs child had to walk down 5 levels of stairs
31 March 2025
Exceptional
service
nothing
11 March 2025
Exceptional
The hotel was very clean and the everything was within walking distance.
i wish the valet was part of the hotel stay.
9 February 2025
Exceptional
Beautiful design, very clean
Location
20 January 2025
We love staying at the Magnolia in Houston, and this weekend getaway was no different.
The staff was excellent and the rooms were fantastic.
Not a thing!
23 December 2024
Exceptional
Hospitality
Running into homeless people on the stairs in the parking garage.
28 September 2024
My husband hates hotels. He won’t ever stay anywhere else in Houston again!
It was BEAUTIFULLY AESTHETIC! Easy walking distance to Minute Maid; we were there for the Astros game.
I really can’t think of one thing!
10 September 2024
Excellent.
Very nice hotel and located in a great place by Minute Maid park. Staff is very friendly and facilities are always clean.
Understaffed restaurant and bar results in long wait times. That is the only complaint.
4 September 2024
Great location in the heart of downtown
Great location in the heart of downtown
5 August 2024
Great place for seeing sports events!
Very nice rooms with very comfortable beds. Excellent location for the Astros games. Just a few blocks away. Good selection of places to eat or have a drink.
Pool and work-out areas were dirty. Looked like no-one had cleaned them in a few days, with used towels and trash. Pool area was a disappointment. Pool was light green . It’s such a wonderful view on the 23rd floor, but needed servicing. This is August. People will want to use it.
21 July 2024
great & safe place to stay in downtown houston.
loved the cleanliness and the safety and security measures that are in place. great place to stay in downtown houston. lots of safe parking options nearby as well. very pleased with my stay here and would book again. the restaurant is amazingly delicious.
n/a
19 July 2024
Exceptional
location
13 July 2024
Bad
Hotel was good.
Valet dented my car door and did not resolve the claim I submitted. This was an additional cost for me to fix it due to damage they caused on my vacation. Not nice at all!
16 June 2024
Disappointed, waste of money.
The cocktails in The Range.
Totally outdated rooms. Lot of imperfections, definitely no 4 stars(who rates this??) Room included breakfast, 3 night 2700+$ Cleaning service 0/10 Poor, very poor breakfast.
11 May 2024
Fantastic !
The staff are the stars . Professional and friendly. Location is excellent. Close to other restaurants and downtown shops A hotel with a proud history with modern facilities . The renovation has been carefully done .
A little bit pricey but same as other downtown Houston hotels. Well worth the money though .
3 May 2024
Pretty good, but room time very short, was not enough time to enjoy a nice bath
Manager was caught short w rooms, rolling stone concert, we were very disappointed rooms were not ready til after 6pm but he did everything he could to accommodate us w comp food and beverage
Late check in
20 November 2023
Fabulous
Breakfast was great. Perfect location.
Wish there was more onsight parking
20 November 2023
Everything was perfect
Everything
N/A
7 August 2023
It was ok. But nothing to really recommend another visit.
Valet was excellent. Front desk was fast but did not offer much information.
Breakfast was just ok. The eggs were undercooked and our server was acting strange and forgetful. The other server was too loud. The restaurant was not that enjoyable.
21 July 2023
Allow lots of time for parking and check in
Location
Check in and valet parking is cumbersome and lengthy give yourself plenty of time to get it done
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Kid-friendly buffet
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Vending machine (drinks)
- - Vending machine (snacks)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Billiards
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi (additional charge)
- - Hiking
- - Cycling
- - Fitness
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Outdoors
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
Parking
- - Accessible parking
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Visual aids: Braille
- - Visual aids: Tactile signs
- - Auditory guidance
Pool and wellness
- - Rooftop pool
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered

More photos

17 June 2026
Exceptional