Postcruise Hotel- Houston Intercontinental Airport?

[the_dylaness]

We will need to stay in a hotel near the Houston Intercontinental Airport for one night after our Galveston-centered cruise. I know staying in Galveston would be nicer, but we are going to take advantage of the cruise ship transfers ($66 RT) to/from the airport, and since our flight leaves at 6AM the next day, we want to be as close as humanly possible.

 

So, we'll be arriving back at the airport around noon (?) on a Saturday and need to kill time in that area of Houston, plus find a decent but cheap hotel. Any advice from locals or people who've stayed there?

 

Thanks!

[clearlakecruisers]

Since I live in Houston, I haven't had the need to stay at any of the hotels/motels near IAH but there are several fairly new places on JFK Blvd. just north of Beltway 8 and there is a hotel right on the airport site itself (can't think of the name right now). Unfortunately there isn't much to see in close proximity to IAH. The Woodlands area - about 20 minutes north - has some very interesting shopping and restaurants and Old Town Spring - only +/-15 minutes north - has a restored old town atmosphere.

Let me know if you need any more info.

[spindrift]

I believe the hotel at the airport is still a Marriott.

[first_timer]

I've been here for a couple of weddings. It's a nice hotel very close to the airport. http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/0543/fiche_hotel.shtml

 

It also offers a free shuttle service to/from the airport.