By Ilona Kauremszky
Home to the world’s largest medical center, Houston is packed with a dream team of innovators and health tech experts who are on the front lines working around the clock for all of us.
As the coronavirus (Covid-19) multiplies at alarmingly high rates – it’s more important now than ever to ensure the health and safety is at the forefront.
Hotel companies have stepped up their game as two new properties in Houston have sprung up in the hub of the Texas Medical Center.
Located in the heart of Houston, the Texas Medical Center is the world’s largest life sciences destination in the world. It’s a campus that sees research, medicine and innovation in healthcare converge.
It’s also where the world comes for treatment.
Houston is also home to Space Center Houston, the official visitors center for the NASA Johnson Space Center.
Come this summer as you’re sussing out the newly restored Apollo Mission Control Center be sure to zoom your lens on the authentic look and feel of this history-making third floor located in Building 30. It’s from this perch on July 20, 1969 when rocket scientists heard Commander Neil Armstrong from the Apollo 11 crew announce the mighty words, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”
I was just a kid when my fingers pressed against the screen of our TV console, standing in front of the now iconic image, touching the flickering footage of the astronauts bouncing out of the rocket ship as the satellite feed was being beamed back down to Planet Earth.
For those in need of emergency stayovers due to the pandemic and for those galaxy seekers waiting for the 51st anniversary to commemorate the historic Moon Landing here are two new hotels in Houston to put on your radar:
InterContinental Houston Medical Center
In the heart of the Texas Medical Center, this new 4-star property brings its internationally acclaimed hospitality. The 354-room luxury hotel offers a modern retreat next to the world’s largest medical complex.
Rising 21 storeys high, the room inventory boasts spacious rooms. Choose from deluxe double queen guest rooms of which there are 193 rooms, the deluxe king bed guest rooms (124), or stylish suites (37).
On the amenities, find a new Mediterranean restaurant, Safina Restaurant and Bar, an outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Room rates for a standard room double occupancy start from $159. Book online with at the hotel website or try an online OTA such as Booking.com.
Westin Houston Medical Center
Located in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, minutes from Houston’s Museum District, this new luxury hotel is nestled in the historic Medical Towers building, revered as an avant-garde architectural icon. (Houston’s first International Style building which was built in 1954 is a modified version of the Lever House in New York City designed by the prize-winning Skidmore Owings & Merrill).
This is the first and only hotel in the U.S. to deploy patented technology known as LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots to sanitize and disinfect its guest rooms and common areas to help combat the threat of the coronavirus.
This LightStrike robot uses an intense germicidal UV light to disinfect rooms by quickly destroying microscopic bacteria and viruses that may be missed during the manual cleaning process.
The 273-room property which offers a luxurious retreat amid the medical breakthrough innovations boasts 26 suites and amenities galore. Free Wi-Fi, full service laundry, fitness center and a rooftop pool, the pet-friendly establishment also has kitchens in some rooms.
At the Westin Houston Medical Center you will find all the common areas are disinfected using hospital grade cleaner. All in-room consumable amenities from the coffee and tea station to bath items are disinfected onsite and placed in sealed bags for guests. The rooms are also void of all non-essential items like magazines, decorative pillows, and throws.
The dining scene is a mix of casual snack take-outs, room service around the clock, and the anchor restaurant, Terrace 54 Bar + Table. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner –dining guests enjoy New American cuisine focusing on the southwest region of Texas. Coffee lovers congregate throughout the day at Sip Café where a barista-brewed coffee, and chef-prepared grab-and-go meals are on offer.
On the healthy living front, this healthy hotel has rolled out its new immune-boosting food and beverage offerings including a special immune system boosting menu packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and probiotics. Inquire about the new Immune Booster Kits.
Room rates for a standard room double occupancy start from $252. You can compare rates at Hotels.com
Booking
Room reservations can be made directly at the hotel websites or through an online booking site.
Photography supplied.
