Hotel Express Inn Hobby (Houston, USA)

They’ve got the most important factor nailed and with a few exceptions, the hotel is impressively clean. Beds are comfortable, (*if you don’t like a soft mattress). Many folk need a bed for the night that’s close to the airport and on that point, the hotel scores highly.

Depending upon individual ‘tastes’, breakfast is OK and there’s plenty here for larger appetites. Alternatively, there are breakfast cafes nearby so, one way or another, you won’t go hungry.

Staff members are very friendly, flexible and accommodating. Old world charm in an old but not unattractive hotel.

It’s a bit seedy and doubt is cast over the wisdom of venturing out at night. Mattresses are very hard and uncomfortable to sleep on. Pillows don’t help either – they are hard too.

The computerized system hiccups quite a lot leading to the check in people having to step in and issue replacement cards. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient from their point of view ... and that of the paying guest.

There are a few rough edges here, including some real 'no-nos'. It surely doesn’t cost much to vacuum the carpet – the cleaner is a stranger in some rooms – or to replace the window with a hole in it! They are obviously cost-cutting like mad to keep tariffs competitive -they are very low! –but they need to keep rooms in reasonable condition to attract custom in the first place.