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10 Super Cool Amenities at Houston Hotels

By now, you've come to expect Wi-Fi service and a host of other standard amenities at hotels. But some hotels, including several in Houston, kick their amenity offerings up a notch or two. Here are seven not-so-standard but oh-so-cool amenities at hotels in the Houston area. 1. Magnolia Hotel Craving a bedtime snack that harkens back to your childhood? The Magnolia Hotel Houston serves complimentary milk and cookies from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 2. Four Seasons Hotel Experience the world’s first…

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Record 17.5 million traveled to Houston in 2015

The number of visitors to Houston reached 17.5 million in 2015, up from 14.8 million the year before, according to data released this week by Houston First. The growth is due in part to low gas prices, increased air traffic, and Houston’s accolades as one of the top travel destinations in the country. 55.1 million Air travel to Houston in 2015 - up 3.7% from 2014 9.5% Increase in international air traffic to Houston, making it the second-fastest growing destination in the US 6 million Online…

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Final Four by the Numbers

The 2016 Houston Final Four festivities downtown and at NRG Park left an indelible mark on the city and its place as a leading U.S. travel destination. From record-breaking event attendance to millions of dollars spent locally, Houston's Final Four was a slam dunk. Let’s do the numbers: 149,845 The two-session Final Four attendance was the second-highest attendance in Men’s Final Four history. 74,340 The championship game attendance was also the second-highest in championship game history…

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8 Reasons the Houston Convention District Is So Attractive for Meetings

by John Egan If you’re hunting for a place to host a meeting, the 60-city block Houston Convention District should rank high on your list. Heck, we think it should be at the very top. Ric Campo, chairman of Houston First Corp., which runs the George R. Brown Convention Center, says the Convention District is evolving into “a vibrant neighborhood, not just a meeting place.” Here are eight reasons you should seriously consider the Convention District “neighborhood” for your next meeting. With…

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10 Reasons Why Houston Is Perfect for Meetings

by John Egan From 2013 to 2014, the Houston area gained more than 150,000 new residents. But it's not just residents flocking to Houston. Close to 15 million people, many of them meeting attendees, visited Houston in 2014. "You could spend 365 days in our city and still not experience everything we have to offer. Showing visitors a good time is what we do," Houston Mayor Annise Parker says. So, what makes Houston a magnet for meetings? Here are 10 reasons. Houston sits in the central…

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10 Reasons to Check Out The Houstonian’s Glamorous Gym

by John Egan Looking to get in a 3-mile run before or after your meeting in Houston? Then you might want to check out - and check into - The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. Recently anointed by CNNMoney as one of the 12 coolest hotel gyms in the US, the fitness center at The Houstonian would suit even the likes of professional athletes. "The gym at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is anything but ordinary, even by luxury standards," wrote Hayley Bosch, an editor for the Forbes Travel Guide…

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16 World Cup-Worthy Facts and Figures About Houston

by John Egan The U.S. women's soccer team captivated the country with its commanding victory in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Members of the winning team included three players on the Houston Dash women's professional soccer squad: Meghan Klingenberg, Carli Lloyd and Kealia Ohai. Houston now can claim three world-class soccer players. But Houston can claim other big dots on the world map as well. After all, if you're seeking a place to host a conference, meeting or event, don't you want to…

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Houston’s 10 Most Instagrammed Restaurants

By John Egan If you want to wow colleagues or clients while you're visiting Houston for a meeting or convention - or if you're a tourist or already live here - at least some of the Bayou City's most popular restaurants should be on your agenda. But aside from reading reviews, how do you decide which eateries deserve a look? Try giving one of these restaurants a shot. They're the 10 most Instagrammed Houston restaurants of 2014, according to MyFab5. Before you dash out the door, a word of…

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Wi-Fi at Bush Intercontinental Ranked Among World’s Fastest

By John Egan When it comes to Wi-Fi service, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is soaring. RottenWiFi.com ranked Bush's free Wi-Fi service as the ninth-fastest airport Wi-Fi in the world. Users tested and evaluated the quality of Wi-Fi at more than 130 airports in 53 countries. Only the airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee, beat Bush for Wi-Fi speed among US airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, topped the list. Data collected through a RottenWiFi.com app…

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Houston An International Hot Spot, MasterCard Says

By John Egan Move over, Los Angeles and Miami. Houston ranks as the fastest-growing destination in North America for international visitors. According to this year's MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Houston is the only major North American city to see a double-digit average annual growth rate (10.9 percent) for international visitors since 2009. These cities sit behind Houston on the MasterCard index: Los Angeles (7.8 percent) Miami (7.5 percent) New York (6 percent) San…

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