Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel ZaZa Memorial City is a luxury boutique that dares to have fun with design — each themed suite feels like a movie set that genuinely thrills kids, plus a good-looking pool and a spot right by the mall — set against a west-side location a fair way from downtown.
Hotel ZaZa Memorial City is a luxury boutique that dares to have fun with design — each themed suite feels like a movie set that genuinely thrills kids, plus a good-looking pool and a spot right by the mall — set against a west-side location a fair way from downtown.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture a hotel you walk into and feel like you have slipped into another world — that is the charm of Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City. This is not a chain that looks the same in every city; it is a luxury boutique that dares to play hard with design. The lobby is lush with chandeliers, characterful furniture and pieces that look like they carry a story, while the standard rooms are warm and upscale in rich, refined tones, with soft beds and good linens. But the real star is the "Magnificent Seven" set of themed suites, each with its own concept and no two alike — some feel like a film set, some like a little palace. Kids walk in wide-eyed and grown-ups cannot help smiling. Holding a Michelin Key two years running only confirms that the design and the attention to detail here are no joke. Anyone tired of cookie-cutter hotel rooms will feel like this trip has something to remember.
Food and amenities
The heart of a stay here is the stylish outdoor pool, with sun loungers to stretch out on and a pool bar serving cold drinks right to the water's edge — a late afternoon by the pool, sun softening, is deeply relaxing. What wins families over especially is that several reviews agree staff are happy to warm the pool water when there are little ones along, a small detail that says a lot about the care here. Then there is ZaSpa, the in-house spa for a day you want a relaxing massage, plus a restaurant and bar styled in that signature ZaZa way for dinner or a cocktail without going anywhere. There is a 24-hour fitness center for anyone who does not want to miss a workout, and the family-friendly clincher: the hotel connects to Memorial City Mall, where a short walk lands you among dozens of restaurants, an ice rink and a movie theater — a first-rate backup plan on a day too rainy or too hot to go far.
Location and getting there
Hotel ZaZa Memorial City sits on the west side of Houston in Memorial City, a district known for its shopping and its leafy, orderly feel. The selling point of the location is being right next to Memorial City Mall, a big mall you can walk straight into, with brand names, restaurants and entertainment all in one place — ideal for a family that wants a good base and the convenience of eating and shopping in a single step. Drive about 10 minutes more and you reach Memorial Park, one of the largest public parks near the middle of the city, with running paths, bike trails and wide green space for kids to run around and get some air. The shops and stylish restaurants of City Centre are also close by. That said, Houston is a city you live in by car, so a rental or a ride share makes getting around easiest. The hotel has parking, and reaching the airport or other sights around the city is no trouble once you have a car.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. The thing to weigh most is the location out on the west side, a fair way from downtown, the museum district and the zoo — almost every trip means driving or calling a ride, so if your plans center on the city core, budget extra time and travel cost. The next is price: standard rooms here cost more than the usual chains in the same area, and if you want one of the highlight themed suites, the price climbs another step — weigh it against your budget. On top of that, ZaZa often takes weddings and events, so on some weekends the lobby and pool area can get busier and noisier than usual, and a few reviews mention sound from functions. If you are traveling with small kids who need quiet at night, ask at booking whether a big event is on during your stay and request a room away from the function space.
Our take
After reading through plenty of real reviews, Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City is the luxury boutique best suited to a family that wants a place with character, nothing generic, plus the convenience of shopping. The fully decked-out themed suites that thrill kids, the good-looking pool where staff care enough to warm the water, and the spot right next to Memorial City Mall are three selling points that fit a family trip neatly. If the trip in your head is staying in a one-of-a-kind room, getting in the pool in the afternoon, then walking into the mall for dinner and a movie with no driving, this place delivers in full. But if your trip is built around downtown and the museums, the west-side location and the drive into the city may cost you some travel time. Overall we give it 8.6/10, best for families and couples after a stylish stay with the full set of amenities who do not mind driving to get around.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- It has held a Michelin Key two years running, a stamp on the design and service you get at a luxury boutique that refuses to feel generic.
- The "Magnificent Seven" themed suites come in several styles, each decorated like a movie set, and kids walk in genuinely excited — they make a natural highlight of a family trip.
- There is a good-looking outdoor pool with a pool bar, and reviews praise how staff are happy to warm the pool water for families with little ones, a thoughtful touch beyond what you would expect.
- The location is right next to Memorial City Mall, so you can walk in to shop, eat and catch a movie — rain or hot sun, it does not derail your plans.
- Memorial Park, one of the largest parks near the middle of the city, is about a 10-minute drive away, with running paths, bike trails and a playground for the family to get out and run around.
- It sits on the west side of Houston in Memorial City, a fair way from downtown and the museums, so almost everything means driving or calling a ride. If your trip is built around the city center, budget extra time and travel cost.
- Standard rooms cost more than the usual chains in the same area, and the themed suites push the price up further still — weigh it carefully against your budget.
- ZaZa often hosts weddings and events, so at times the lobby and pool area can get busy and crowded, and some reviews mention noise on weekends. With small kids who need quiet at night, ask at booking whether a big event is on during your stay and request a room away from the function space.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Houston
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Houston — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in HoustonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- If the whole family is coming, ask about the themed suites when you book — each one has a very different concept and kids find them especially exciting. Book ahead, as numbers are limited.
- With little ones who want the pool water comfortably warm, tell staff in advance; several reviews say the hotel is happy to help warm it for you.
- Make the most of the location by walking into Memorial City Mall right next door — it has restaurants, an ice rink and a movie theater, a handy backup plan for a rainy or scorching day.