Galveston is a popular vacation destination on the Gulf Coast of Texas, about an hour south of Houston. Each year, about 8 million visitors flock to the island city to relax on its beaches, delight in its amusement parks, and savor some of the region’s freshest seafood. As such, most of Galveston’s top accommodations are located on beachfront property. But for those seeking something a bit more centrally located, within easy walking distance of all of downtown’s attractions as well as the cruise terminal, The Tremont House offers convenience, comfort, and luxury — all wrapped up in historic Southern charm.
The Tremont House: A Tale of Three Hotels
The story of The Tremont House begins in 1839, the year Galveston was founded. The first Tremont House—there have been three “Tremonts” over the years—was located about three blocks from the current hotel. It was considered the finest hotel in Texas when it was built, but sadly, it burned down in 1865.
The second Tremont opened in 1877. The upscale property advertised itself as “the only first-class hotel in the city, ” and it remained so into the 1920s. However, guests began to desire more modern amenities, and the elegant hotel was seen as outdated. The elegant hotel closed in 1928, and the building was destroyed.
In the 1980s, local philanthropists George and Cynthia Mitchell decided to develop a grand hotel in Galveston’s revitalized downtown. They purchased the historic Leon & H. Blum Co. Building. The historic 1880 building was designed by Houston-based architect Eugene Heiner and enlarged in 1882 by noted Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton. According to a historic marker located on the sidewalk in front of the hotel, the original three-story building “was stuccoed and scored to resemble stone, with ornamental facings, cornice, and trimmings.”
The Mitchells completely renovated the property, adding a mansard roof to allow for a fourth floor and to reflect the building’s early images.
The modern-day Tremont House opened in 1985. It is a Tribute Portfolio Hotel and a member of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Comfort and Class
I recently spent three nights at the AAA Three-Diamond Tremont House.
The hotel offers 136 rooms, ranging from standard single king and double queen room; standard, junior, and deluxe suites, and two-bedroom “quarters” or penthouse residences, which are found in a building across the street from the hotel. The Mitchell Suites, which are located on the hotel’s fourth floor, are designed for special events and entertaining.
I stayed in an Atrium double queen. Atrium rooms are interior-facing rooms, but the hotel also offers exterior-facing rooms. Both configurations showcase soothing shades of taupes, browns, and rusts. Light-colored wood furnishings, elegant artwork, and modern fixtures combine for a look that’s calm and sophisticated yet also comfortable.
Each room features a 55-inch TV, a Keurig coffee maker, plush bathrobes, a safe, and an ironing board. The mini fridge is camouflaged to look like a vintage steamer trunk. And refillable water bottles are provided; simply refill them at one of the many water filtration stations located around the hotel.
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The bathrooms are bright and airy, with plenty of vanity space for storing your toiletries. They feature Nest toiletries.
The rooms encircle an open atrium, which houses the hotel’s lobby, Toujouse Lobby Bar, Blum & Co. bistro, and wine bar. As a result, rooms that overlook the atrium, especially those near the elevators, can be noisy, especially on nights when there is a wedding or cruise passengers staying at the hotel.
One of my traveling companion’s rooms was directly across from the elevators, and she complained about not being able to sleep due to the music playing at the bar. My room was farther down a hallway, so it was not as loud. And the plush beds with Italian linens are super comfy.
Dine and Drink
The Tremont House is steps away from some of the city’s best restaurants. I recommend Riondo’s Ristorante, a casual Italian eatery; Sugar & Rye, which offers classic Southern dishes with international flair; and Saltwater Grill, for fresh seafood and steaks. All are within walking distance.
For breakfast, don’t miss Star Drug. It was the first desegregated lunch counter in Galveston. This former pharmacy and soda fountain now serves breakfast, lunch, and old-timey shakes, malts, and ice cream treats.
But you don’t have to leave the property to enjoy a quick bite. Blum & Co. is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers everything from waffles and breakfast burritos to sandwiches and flatbreads to Cajun grits, ribeye steak, and braised short rib. And you can finish it off with my favorite dessert, crème brûlée.
Afterward, stop by Toujouse for a post-meal digestif before heading to the Rooftop Bar. The bar recently underwent an extensive renovation and had been closed since mid-2022. It reopened in February of this year, much to the delight of Galveston residents.
The bar is the city’s only rooftop drinking establishment. It seats 120 people in the new glass-enclosed space, with room for more on the open-air patio. Guests can enjoy a selection of light bites, including braised octopus, pork belly bao bao, and Bavarian pretzels, while sipping creative craft cocktails.
Staying at The Tremont House
Rooms at the Tremont start at about $250 per night. Pets are welcome, although a $100 nonrefundable pet fee is required. Because the hotel is situated on a main street in downtown Galveston, valet parking is the only option. Overnight rates are $36/night. A Stay, Park and Sail package offers discount parking rates and port drop-off and pick-up for cruise passengers.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
