The Main Event

We chose The Joule as one of the highlights of our Texas trip, expecting a true five-star family experience. Unfortunately, our stay was disappointing. At check-in, one of our two rooms was still unavailable after 5:00 p.m. (although check-in is guaranteed from 3:00 p.m.), and despite requesting rooms on the same floor as our children, we had to accept rooms on different floors. Our room was also missing bottled water and a coffee machine, which had to be requested. We were also surprised to pay a $35 daily hotel service fee, supposedly covering amenities such as the pool and in-room services, yet the service did not match the charge. Housekeeping had still not serviced our room by late afternoon, bottled water was again missing, and the overall experience fell well below five-star standards. The biggest disappointment was the pool. By late afternoon, many guests were drinking heavily and several appeared intoxicated. The atmosphere felt more like an adults-only party than a luxury hotel welcoming families. That evening, loud intoxicated guests in the hallway kept us awake until we had to call security. We were also disappointed that ongoing construction around the hotel was not disclosed before our arrival. The hotel is beautifully designed, but the service and overall experience did not justify its five-star rating or the additional service fee. Families should know that the atmosphere is geared more toward adults seeking a lively social scene than a relaxing luxury st