<p>Just returned from Houston and an interview, general info session, tour, and a department meeting with Professor Sinclair Associate Dean Of Engineering, who met with my son one-on-one because he was unable to make it to the regularly scheduled dept. meeting on Monday. How's that for going the extra mile for a prospective applicant? </p>
<p>We stayed at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District, which was a little pricier than what I usually spend for a hotel, but it was just for one night and I booked the lowest price room ($179 if you book 30 days in advance- still a lot!). If anyone is looking for a hip, trendy little hotel that your kid will love, this is the place! But, I wouldn't recommend eating there, unless you like forking out $16.00 for a breakfast omelet. Dinners are half price on Wednesday nights at their Monarch restaurant but half price off of a small fortune is, well, still a small fortune. Instead try Prego, an Italian restaurant in Rice Village. This was the third time eating there (the previous two times I was on business) and every time has been excellent. Also, do not pay to hotel (valet only) park as that will run you a hefty $27 per night. Instead park on the street, behind where the cabs are lined up, for free.</p>
<p>I’m glad to read this post. I have a son at Rice who is graduating next May. We are planning to splurge for a room at the Hotel Zaza when we come for graduation weekend. In the past we’ve always traveled on the cheap, with the $80/night room at the Best Western where they have free parking, but not this time!</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up on the restaurant prices and the free on-street parking. No way will I pay $16 for an omelet or $27 for a parking space! :eek:</p>
<p>LOL, I don’t think I’d have the nerve to check into the ZaZa with my son, lest the folks there think I’m a cougar! I guess as long as you don’t book the Geisha Suite or Moulin Rouge Suite you’re okay.</p>
<p>Luckily, Houston is a big place and has lots of hotels, so there are lots of options nearby. Hey, Patsman - I’ll be looking for you at graduation on May 14th!!! P.S. I had to laugh when I saw the heading for this thread. DS was a picky eater when he was a toddler. I used to chant, “Rice is nice”, when offering him rice to eat… took him several months to get comfortable eating it…</p>
<p>Oh yeah, don’t worry, I learned my lesson when S1 graduated from the University of Florida. If you don’t reserve a room a year ahead, you’re pretty much out of luck. So I called the Zaza last May to reserve 2 rooms for May 2011 and they thought I was nuts! They said they don’t fill up for graduation weekend. But I wanted to make sure I got one of the “bargain” $179 rooms, so I went ahead and reserved it.</p>
<p>Another Mom of a Rice grad here. We tended to use the Rice rate at the Med Center Marriott, which was a nice hotel and I could run around the Rice loop in the mornings.</p>
<p>Missypie- On the Cougar thing- I just tonight checked into a hotel in Denver with my son and the “cougar” thing crossed my mind except we were obviously mother and son and we wound up talking to the hotel desk clerk about possible apartments for my son (which is why we are here). I guess the Hilton Garden Inn isn’t that Cougary a place, though.</p>
<p>So nice to see all the Rice moms here! Reunion time.</p>
<p>My s is moving back to our hometown. He is expected back late Sat night. And what is he doing Sunday? Going to the local Rice alums sendoff party for the incoming freshmen!</p>
P.S. I had to laugh when I saw the heading for this thread. DS was a picky eater when he was a toddler. I used to chant, “Rice is nice”, when offering him rice to eat… took him several months to get comfortable eating it…</p>