Located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, the barrier island of Galveston is just 30 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. The city’s long stretches of sandy beaches attract vacationers from Texas and across the U.S., as does the Port of Galveston, which is the fourth-busiest cruise port in North America. As such, the island is home to dozens of accommodations, ranging from budget chains to expansive luxury resorts. Whether you’re hanging out for a day or two pre- or post-cruise or taking a week for a fun-filled family holiday, these three Gulf Coast hotels offer the perfect stay.
Midcentury Charm: Hotel Lucine
Reopened in late 2023 following a two-year overhaul, with a new name and a fresh Instagram-worthy look, the Hotel Lucine is the last remnant of the midcentury motor lodges that once flourished along the island’s Seawall Boulevard. The property was built in 1963 as the Treasure Isle Motel. When it was purchased in 2021, it was operating at the Pearl Inn and had seen better days.
Now, after a gut renovation, the property brings a touch of pastel-hued Palm Springs style to the beach.
Featuring two stories that surround a courtyard pool, the Lucine — the name is a reference to the shimmering white shell of the lucine clam that’s found the Gulf’s waters — is full of the retro touches that attract influencers and midcentury modern lovers alike.
The bright white exterior is accented with a zigzag roofline and a rainbow of colorful soffits. Yellow umbrellas complement the blue-and-white diamond-tiled pool deck. Inside, guests are immediately greeted to their left with The Den. This laid-back lounge space is filled with cozy, low-profile, midcentury-styled furnishings. Relax in a quiet corner with a good book or enjoy a light breakfast or lunch. The hotel also offers a 55-seat formal dining establishment, The Fancy, as well as a rooftop bar with live entertainment.
Pretty in Pink: Grand Galvez
The Grand Galvez has been a Galveston landmark since it first opened in 1911. Built following the devastating 1900 hurricane that destroyed the city, the hotel was designed to entice tourists back to the island. It is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. It’s also a AAA 4-Diamond property. In 1979, the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The exterior’s distinctive pink facade and grand foyer hark back to the hotel’s luxurious past. Classic marble flooring in a black-and-white harlequin pattern line the lobby, which is decorated with elegant archways, ornate millwork, and massive crystal chandeliers. Rich wood paneling lines the walls and grand staircases, and the original iron-and-glass front desk booth was returned to its original location right inside the front doors. A glass mosaic “rug” proclaims the “Queen of the Gulf.”
To the right of the lobby is a small wood-paneled room with a reproduction lobby and reservation desk. This was used as a set for season two of the popular “Yellowstone” spinoff “1923.”
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The 226 guestrooms at the Galvez are as luxurious as the public spaces. Decorated in beach-friendly hues of blue, cream, taupe, and white, they feel both sumptuous and soothing. Wicker furnishings and Asian-influenced accents, including ginger jar lamps and Chinese key case goods, add to the classic vibe. The bathrooms feature white marble floors and walls and white stone and nickel vanities.
Whether you’re staying at the hotel or another property, don’t miss the Galvez’s legendary Sunday brunch. Locals and visitors alike like up each Sunday for this Texas-size spread that includes mountains of shrimp and Gulf Coast seafood, roast beef, pasta and omelet bars, pastries, and an entire room devoted to desserts. Reservations are required, and there is a dress code.
Modern Luxury: San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
The San Luis is the youngest of the three properties. It’s also the largest at 32 acres. Opened in 1984, the AAA 4-Diamond resort offers 250 guest rooms, as well as suites, villas, and condominiums.
The hotel is built on an expansive, sloped lawn with colorful flower beds, verdant palm trees, and manicured hedges. A curved drive brings guests to a grand colonnade, completed with a stepped water feature. And a long glass-enclosed hallway opens to the lobby, where a backlit stone check-in desk awaits.
All of the guest rooms offer ocean views. The color palette is subdued, with wall-to-wall carpeting, upholstered headboards, and textured linens rendered in soft hues of beige, brown, and olive green, accented with pops of teal. The bathrooms feature dark case goods, granite countertops, and vessel sinks. But when there’s so much to do, both on-site and at the beach, you won’t want to spend much time in your room.
Relax with some pampering at the Spa San Luis, take a dip in the heated pool located on the ocean-front side of the property, or grab a complimentary bike and pedal along the seawall to Pleasure Pier for an afternoon of games and rides.
Fido is also welcome. Four-legged guests receive a cozy dog bed, food and water bowls, treats, and toys. The hotel also offers an in-room doggie dining menu, an on-site dog park, and dog-walking services.
For dining options, the resort has four on-site restaurants, including a family-friendly burger and sandwich bistro, an Italian eatery, a steakhouse, and a bar. A sweets counter offers gelato, pastries, coffee, and chocolates. And if that’s not enough, a number of chain restaurants are located within steps of the property, including one of the few remaining Rainforest Cafes in the country.
Going to Galveston
Summer is the peak tourist season in Galveston. But it’s also when the weather is the hottest and most humid. The best times to visit are the fall and spring (October to November and March to April). But no matter what time of year you decide to head to this Gulf Coast gem, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to places to stay based on your style of travel and your budget.
Rooms at the Hotel Lucine start at about $150/night during the winter months and can go as high as $325 during the peak season. The Galvez averages about $350-$450/night, and rooms at the San Luis range from about $250/night during the off-season to upwards of $600/night during the summer months.
- Check rates for Hotel Lucine online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
- Check rates for the Grand Galvez online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
- Check rates for the San Luis online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
For another resort option further inland, check out our review of Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center.
