When selecting a downtown hotel for a family stay, it’s possible to feel out of place with kids in tow, as the hotels cater so heavily to convention and business travelers. While the Hyatt Regency Houston does cater to both, they are also truly accommodating to families. Lacking the Club Hyatt programs found at resort locations, the Hyatt Regency Houston provides families with adjoining rooms and suites with living areas and separate bedrooms, in-room entertainment, a rooftop pool to cool off in after exploring the city, and easy access to some of Houston’s best attractions, including the aquarium and sporting arenas, just blocks away.

Guestrooms
Guestrooms include standard with one king or two double beds.

Suites
Imperial Suites are located on the hotel's top floor and include a king-sized bed with separate sitting area. Regency Suites are 700-square-foot one-bedroom, two-bathroom suites with a full-sized Murphy bed in the living area and separate bedroom. A VIP Grande Suite is a bi-level suite with a king-sized bedroom.

We combined a Regency Suite with a double and king guestroom to give the kids their own room and bathroom, a center living area with bathroom, and parent's bedroom with king bed and bathroom.

All rooms include free Wi-Fi, as well as 25-inch flatscreen TVs, and coffee makers. Cribs and rollaways are available upon request. DVD players are provided, and Wii can be requested in room with a variety of games to entertain all ages.

As a city hotel, Houston's attractions are meant to be explored and the Hyatt doesn't compete with a variety of family activities.

Pool
It does, however, provide a rooftop pool on its sixth floor, made more comfortable with oasis-style landscaping. Swim laps or just splash around with the city skyscrapers dotting the skyline.

Nearby, the Aquarium is on the small side but worthy of a visit, if just for lunch under the glass-paneled aquarium walls where sharks and rays swim overhead. The theater and museum district is mere minutes away, featuring the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural Science, the Children's Museum, and local sporting arenas are nearby (fancy a Houston Astros baseball game?).

Shula's Steakhouse
The Hyatt's signature restaurant is former Miami Dolphin's Hall of Fame coach Don Shula's Steakhouse, featuring, what else, steak (a 48-ounce Porterhouse! Eat it and become a member of the 48-ounce club). Lunch and dinner menus feature salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, and kids will surely find something to eat at this casual American grill. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Einstein Bros Bagels
Located in the lobby, Einstein provides breakfast, late-night and all-day snacks, including sandwiches, salads, and, of course, coffee and pastries. It's the closest place to get your morning cup of Joe, unless you order in-room dining, which includes a kids' menu

LobbiBar
A trendy nightspot perfect for people watching, the Lobbibar takes center stage in the soaring hotel atrium climbing 30 floors. However, this hotspot is mom and pop geared.

In Room Dining
Kids can order from the Sunrise Safari, healthy snacks, sweet treats and burgers, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, turkey hot dogs and turkey sandwiches. Mom and dad can select from salads, pastas, steaks, seafood, sandwiches are other American fare.

All About the Extras
The Houston Seven-Mile tunnel system provides underground shopping and restaurants beneath the skyscrapers above, helping families stay out of summer's 90+ temperatures.

Babies Travel Lite is also in partnership with Hyatt so families with infants do not need to bring diapers, formula and baby food. Instead, order online pre-trip and find all the items in your room upon arrival.

Babysitting
Babysitting service can be arranged through an outside agency.

Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi can be found throughout.

The Art of Smart Timing
Texas in the summer can be stifling hot and humid, and it means perspiration can occur within moments of stepping outside. The best time to visit the resort is in the spring and fall, where temperatures are, well, more temperate.

Getting There
The Hyatt is centrally located in downtown Houston, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport just 26 miles away and Hobby Airport a short skip away at 12 miles.

Getting Around
A city location means parking onsite can be more difficult, but the hotel provides valet parking in a neighboring garage for a per day fee, with unlimited in and out access. The METRO Rail station is two blocks from the hotel. The hotel provides a free shuttle in the downtown area only.

For Mom and Dad
Visit Lobbibar for centrally located people watching in a decidedly trendy hotspot filled with martini glasses and sharp-dressed guests.