Arrival/Check-in: Hotel Sorella is a brand-new property — so new that some exterior signage was not yet in place, which made the hotel hard to find. Our GPS did not recognize the address, and we drove past the entrance a few times. Once we arrived, staff quickly took our luggage and escorted us to the check-in desk. Within minutes we were guided to our rooms. (27/30)
Guest Quarters: The room felt spacious from the moment I opened the door. Sleek hardwood floors and rich décor contrasted with white walls and complemented sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows. A large closet and the bathroom sat on either side of the entrance. I appreciated the extra shelving in the bathroom, which made counter space more usable. The main area featured a king bed with two night tables and a corner seating area with a wrap-around couch, a cushioned ottoman that doubles as a table, and a swivel chair. Opposite the bed was a dark-wood unit combining desk, TV and minibar. Complimentary high-speed internet, numerous accessible outlets and an open floor plan completed the room’s comfortable, modern design. (29/30)
Services/Amenities: Hotel Sorella sits at the center of Houston’s growing CityCentre, a mixed-use district of shops, restaurants and businesses that gives guests plenty of nearby options. We ate at Straits, one of several restaurants located just steps from the hotel entrance. The property includes Monnalisa Bar, which was busy during our stay, and a rooftop pool with outdoor seating that the bar opens onto. Café Rose and Bistro Alex were not yet open at the time of our visit. The hotel has partnerships with nearby businesses—such as access to a local fitness center—which add convenience for guests, and future plans include event and meeting space. Complimentary breakfast is served each morning. Because CityCentre hosts frequent events, the area is lively: during one evening an outdoor concert on the grassy center below our windows was enjoyable at first but, after three hours, became a distracting nuisance. (37/40)
The Experience: Business travelers with meetings in Houston’s Energy Corridor will find this property convenient. CityCentre is a significant distance from downtown and the Galleria, but its self-contained mix of dining, shopping and services reduces the need to travel elsewhere. I look forward to returning to Hotel Sorella once all on-site offerings are fully up and running to see how the hotel settles into the neighborhood.
Total Score: 93/100
Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE
800 W. Sam Houston Parkway, Building 9
Houston, TX 77024
tel 866 842 0100