Hotel Derek

Great location

Prós: I loved the location of the hotel and the fact that they actually had a full bar. I made reservations through hotel.com and the check in process was very easy. The staff were very friendly.

Contras: Nothing against the hotel itself, but I wish there was someone who monitored the noise levels in the hallways. Even with a sign posted requesting guests to be mindful of their noise level, the guests next to us kept partying and being overall noisy until 4 AM.

Overall a nice hotel

Prós: Boutique hotel feel. Near the Galleria and other shopping and restaurants.

Contras: Fire alarm went off at 5:30 AM. Noticed that some of the lobby furniture and room furnishings looked worn and needed to be updated. Located in a busy area and entering and exiting on Westhimer is difficult.

Paying for location

Prós: Comfortable bed, nice view.

Contras: Parking is $25 a night, the bathroom needed to be cleaner. Also small details like the sheets being upside down (tag at the top).

I liked the Derek Hotel, but I probably won't stay

Prós: A family emergency brought me to Houston, and I booked my room online. I loved the urban modern decor. Boutique and trendy - and the decor is my style, but some fixtures were a little dated. Location and self (or optional valet) parking were very convenient.

Contras: Lots of hidden fees: resort fees, "misc tax", parking tax; plus upon check in - after already paying my entire reservation (4 nights), my CC was charged $100/night for "misc". I was prorated some of the $100/nt, but it was still an unexpected expense that I was not aware of $100/nt fee when I booked - or I probably would've cancelled my reservation. Also reserved for 4 nights, but when I tried to extend my stay 2 extra nights, the room rate was much more per night. They did allow me a late check out to decide if I wanted to pay the increased rate - which I greatly appreciated. I ended up checking out of the Derek, and stayed in another hotel in the galleria district those 2 extra nights.