The Bar/Lounge at Hotel Derek Houston Galleria

"The property also features a sleek restaurant serving updated comfort food such as chicken and waffles and lobster pot pie, and a bar pouring wine and Southern-influenced specialty cocktails"

"Loyalists "love the location" of this modern choice near the Galleria, insisting it's a "best-kept secret" with a "great" crew and "well-kept rooms" done up in bold colors and patterns; "disappointed" detractors bemoan "lots of traffic noise" plus "loud music" from the "club atmosphere" in the lobby bar, but with a terrace pool and an on-site restaurant to sweeten the deal, the majority concludes it's "very nice overall"

"In lieu of a small sitting area, a long banquette runs the width of the floor-to-ceiling window, the perfect place from which to lounge and admire the cityscapes outside"

"The scene-y Bistro Moderne restaurant and bar closed in late 2007; new concepts are on the drawing board at this writing"

"The 312 stylish rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and minibars, while suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and some have balconies"