We Experienced Texas Winter Lights At The Marriott Marquis Houston And It's A Festive Fairytale
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 17, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Ever since I first heard about Texas Winter Lights at the Marriott Marquis Houston, I’ve wanted to go check it out – but I haven’t been able to make it until this year. If you’re wondering whether the experience is worth it, I would like to offer a resounding “yes!” The hotel’s iconic Texas-shaped lazy river (which is located on a rooftop pool deck, no less) is adorned with thousands of glittering lights and festive displays, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
As soon as I stepped into the hotel, I knew I was in for a treat.
Katie Lawrence OIYS
Not only was the lobby decked out with elegant holiday decor, but it’s also simply one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever visited. Whether you find yourself there for business or pleasure, you feel like a VIP just being in the building.
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My room was on the 27th floor and offered a spectacular view of the pool deck, which is located on the 6th floor. As you can see, there is a Texas-shaped lazy river, which is the hotel’s most iconic feature.
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Back to the room: it was spacious and stylish, and the bed was very comfortable. I especially loved the personalized welcome message on the TV - it’s small touches like that that really take a hotel over the top for me.
Katie Lawrence OIYS
In addition to the pool area, my room overlooked the towering downtown skyscrapers. It was a fairly overcast day when I visited, and the fog shrouding the tops of the buildings was a magical sight.
Katie Lawrence OIYS
Shortly after checking in, I headed out to the pool deck to see what Texas Winter Lights was all about (hint: it exceeded all expectations!).
...to festive displays like nutcrackers and polar bears...
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...to Insta-worthy photo-ops and even a snow machine, it was like stepping into a winter wonderland.
Katie Lawrence OIYS
There was a fire pit for staying warm, plus lots of delicious snacks and drinks like popcorn, churros, candy, and apple cider and hot chocolate. Alcoholic beverages are available, but it’s worth noting that this is very much a family-friendly event. I saw tons of families with children having a blast!
Katie Lawrence OIYS
One of my favorite things about Texas Winter Lights were these little swinging chairs overlooking the skyline. Between the twinkling lights strung up overhead and the city lights all around, words simply can’t convey the feeling of enchantment that washed over me.
Katie Lawrence OIYS
The last thing I’d like to touch on is the food. I ordered room service for both dinner and breakfast (what can I say? I like being cozy!), and my meals were phenomenal. Pictured here is the migas skillet, which came with Southwestern l-style scrambled eggs, avocado, and seasoned beans. For dinner, I had the roast chicken and potatoes, and it was the juiciest, most flavorful chicken I’ve ever had - not exaggerating!
Katie Lawrence OIYS
Texas Winter Lights 2023 runs through December 31.
Have you ever been to Texas Winter Lights at the Marriott Marquis Houston? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out our previous article for a nearby park, Discovery Green, that’s right across the street from the hotel. It’s the perfect addition to your itinerary!
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