Houston is not a typical city geographically speaking. It's not gridded with a series of streets and avenues. It's more of a mix of urban and suburban sprawl once you exit downtown. The Galleria-area is a popular business travel destination and The Hotel Granduca is growing in popularity.

Entering the lobby of the Granduca is where you will first discover their impeccable service. I don’t think I touched a door handle the entire time I stayed there; if I was walking through it, it was held open by someone with a smile and a warm greeting. Overall, the staff is extremely friendly and professional and greets you in a manner that rivals a 5-star property. Ritz Who? Four Seasons what?

I reserved a junior 1-bedroom suite for my stay at the Granduca. Let me say this. There are few hotels that cause you to say “wow” when you walk into your room, and they usually are the upscale expensive 5-Star properties. Yet the ‘wow’ factor is what greeted me immediately. The room was oversized with a full bedroom, a living and dining room, and a full kitchen, dishes and all. The room feels like you’ve stepped into your private chambers of an Italian manor with the wood beamed ceilings and classic furnishings, including an armoire housing a small library of hardback books, and a hidden plasma screen T.V. Where’s the vineyard? Sorry, it doesn’t have one of those…..

The property has a very modern gym with new equipment that faces out towards the pool. The pool area is small, but cozy with a cabana feeling and an outdoor bar. There is a small business center just off the main lobby (past the suits of armor…seriously) with terminals and friendly staff available to assist you with faxing, copying or printing. The hotel offers complimentary wireless internet service throughout the entire property, and the rooms are hardwired for the internet as well.

The deluxe rooms are obviously the less expensive way to go when staying at the Granduca, and although they are not as grand as the suites, you will not lose much in the way of atmosphere, amenities and comfort. Each of the deluxe rooms also has a small kitchen. Of course, there are also 2 and 3 bedroom suites offered for hosting meetings in your suite or bringing the family along.

The on-site restaurant is unique, it’s called Ristorante Cavour, obviously Italian. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers a Sunday Brunch. If your palate desires something other than Italian, the Uptown Center is just across the street from the Hotel Granduca and has several different restaurants to choose from, including Uptown Sushi, one the best sushi restaurants in Houston.

I found, that while staying at the Hotel Granduca, it was helpful to have a rental car. Other than the shops and restaurants at the Uptown Center, nothing else is really within walking distance. For short trips around town, taxis were easily accessible at the front door.

Travel safely.