Indulging in a weekend escape at Houston’s Hotel Indigo

I’m not that big of a shopper EXCEPT when I’m on vacation. When I visit Houston, Texas, I almost always stop at The Galleria which has more than 375 stores and restaurants. It’s the fourth largest mall in the country and even has an indoor ice skating rink.

Deciding to have a shopper’s weekend, I booked a two-day stay at the Hotel Indigo. The boutique hotel is located behind The Galleria.

I arrived on Saturday night around 7 p.m. and practically threw my credit card at the hotel staff. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I had less than two hours to shop. As I rolled my luggage toward my room, I passed a mural of bluebonnets–the state flower of Texas. The extra wide hallway was so much more spacious than most hotels. The walls were painted a soothing blue at the top and crisp, white wainscoting decorated the bottom half. The long hall was brightly lit and the carpet was an apple green color. I felt myself feeling more serene.

Opening the door to my standard, king-size room, I immediately noticed the wood flooring–what a nice alternative to carpeting. I stepped through the foyer and took a moment to survey the room. The cottage furniture was white with seashell hardware. The wall mural behind the bed was an enlarged photograph of blue and green crystals. The bed linens were a bold blue swirling pattern reminiscent of waves with seven pillows piled beside a white headboard that looked like oversized wainscoting. More than ample light made the room extra inviting. The large bathroom with a blue granite counter top was stocked with Aveda products. Later, when I was writing this blog, I had plenty of space to stretch out my work on a six foot-long desk. Even the phones were blue–to match the linens.

After depositing my belongings, I raced down to the lobby and got directions to The Galleria. Walking would be faster than trying to find a parking space in a crowded mall. I entered through Nordstrom, stopped in Banana Republic, peeked in Talbots and was lured into Macy’s by the promise of an Estee Lauder gift. There is something special about a department store cosmetics counter–I tried a lip gloss, three shades of blush and a tinted moisturizer with 35 SPF. Time sort of stands still when I’m shopping. I glanced at my watch and discovered it was 9:30 p.m. I asked the clerk what time the store closed. She told me Macy’s closes at 10 p.m. on Saturday nights. However, because they were having a one-day sale, the store was open until 11 p.m. My newly colored pink lips spread into a happy grin–I still had 90 minutes of shopping time.

Loaded down with bags, I returned to the Hotel Indigo. A couple sat in the Phi Bar enjoying a glass of wine. Spying a bowl of green apples at the front desk, I picked one up for a late night snack.

Shopping in the big city was fun and the Hotel Indigo was a cheery accommodation.
Hotel Indigo is an InterContinental Hotels Group brand. Make a reservation by visiting www.ichotelsgroup.com or call 1.800.315.2621.

Pros:
Shopaholics will love the location.
Upscale neighborhood near great restaurants.
Free WiFi, onsite parking and in-room coffee.

Cons:
Conversations from outside could be heard inside my second floor room.
No swimming pool.

Hotel Indigo
5160 Hidalgo Street
Houston, TX 77056
713.621.8988