Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport, Houston

We selected a hotel near to Houston Hobby Airport as we were departing the following morning. What a great experience! Charming staff at the registration desk, gave us the sense that they were really delighted that we chose to stay with them. We were checked in quickly and directed to the elevator of this atrium style hotel. Housekeeping issues were impeccable, just like we've learned to expect from Marriott. We enjoyed our room service especially the tried and tested "Marriott Burger"...same product regardless which Marriott we stay at. (I believe in predictable food quality.) The next morning the shuttle service was ready for us at the half hour just as promised and took us to Hobby Airport, just minutes away. Smiling and courteous staff at each exchange. Efficient boarding pass kiosk for printing our our passes right at front door. We loved it. And the weekend rates were very affordable.

While the beds were comfortable, that was the onlything at the Marriott Houston Hobby that was condusive to sleep. The room doors were not well-insulated and all encircled the main room below. Therefore, noise from a wedding reception (including the base thumping) echoed into our room until around 2am. Then, starting around 6am, squealing little girls in a beauty-talent contest began echoing, waking us up after four hours of sleep. Furthermore, the A/C couldn't be turned cooler. When we called the front desk, they had to send an engineer to our room who said that the motion detector on the thermostat caused the AC to turn off when people aren't active in the room (like when they are sleeping or out for the day). Additionally, the AC could only be set as low as 70. We asked that they manually lower it since a cool room helps us sleep (and with the noise in the ballrooms and central area, we needed all the help we could get). The engineer said he set it to 64, but the temp never got cooler than 68 per the display. Finally, the toilet backed up, local calls costs $0.60/ea, and the breakfast buffet costs $10. The only positives were that the fitness center was nice (the pool and hot tub were closed during our stay), they let us check in early, the beds were comfie (though not the lumpy pillows), and the tv got a good range of channels. This hotel appeared great for a party but horrid for a good night's sleep before an early morning flight (which was the whole reason we booked so close to the airport in such a sketchy neighborhood).