The Lancaster Hotel, Houston

Overall impression: The Lancaster Hotel offers a unique experience in a city like Houston, a chance to regress to simpler times. With a classic sense of service and luxury, the staff are friendly and helpful. The Bistro Lancaster offers great service and good food for all meals, and is very handy for breakfast or a late snack after the theater. Located right in the Theater District, this is a perfect place to stay and see the Opera or other production downtown.

Location: Downtown Houston - in the Theater District.

Year opened/renovated: originally opened in 1926 - totally rennovated in 1982

Class of accommodation: Mobil Four Stars

Size: 93 rooms and suites

Ease of reserving a room: Very easy

Check-in/check-out process ease: :   Smooth process checking in, including leaving car at valet

Language: English

Lobby and common areas: :   Nice lobby area with antiques and fine wood furnishings. Fruit, cookies and coffee available, along with newspapers and comfortable seating for lounging or waiting for your party.

Amenities: Quality amenties (Gilcrist and Soames) in the bathroom, cookies and coffee downstairs. Bathrobes, Iron and ironing board in room. Television with cable channels and pay per view movies.

Facilities: Meeting facilities available, did not use them. Fitness center is small but usable for a few days.

Pool and/or Beach: None

Watersports: None

Spa: None

Restaurants: The Bistro Lancaster offers all meals. Fair prices, but fairly slow service if you are in a hurry for breakfast. The lunch was very nice, with quality food and good service. The chef is creative and the broad selection of items was served in an attractive and appetizing way.

Overall service: The hotel service was very good, from the bellhops to the valets and the doorman. I did not get the chance to utilize the concierge, but they seemed prepared to help with tickets to shows and local restaurants.

Other: The streets are under construction all around this part of Houston, making for a bit of an uncomfortable walk in the area.

Length of stay: 1 night

Date of review: June 2003

Would you stay again? Yes