Where to stay in Galveston?

[CaroleHayes]

We're planning on taking a few days to go hang out on a beach in Galveston with the kids, but we know nothing about Galveston, except for the fact that it's on the ocean....

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good place to stay, or anyplace we should avoid? (We're not big crowd people, if that makes a difference; off-the-beaten-path is good, in our book....)

Thanks, in advance! : )


ETA: Also, I forgot to mention that less expensive is better....

[BabyHopes]

Subbing to hear suggestions.

[BigC]

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/GLSTH/main.wnt

[ChristopherCoy]

There is also the "Flagship" hotel or something like that, I can't remember the actual name of it. I haven't been there in years but the ENTIRE hotel is built over the water.

[CaroleHayes]

Originally Posted by BigC

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/GLSTH/main.wnt

Looks like a nice place! I wonder if it's kid-friendly...?

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

There is also the "Flagship" hotel or something like that, I can't remember the actual name of it. I haven't been there in years but the ENTIRE hotel is built over the water.

OVER the water?? I'd be interested to see that!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaroleHayes

OVER the water?? I'd be interested to see that!

http://www.flagshiphotel.com/

[Big T]

Best place with kids is Moody Gardens.

[Debbi]

Isn't the Flagship Hotel closed/almost destroyed by Ike? The only recommendation I can offer is the Hotel Galvez. It's sits right on the seawall. Not inexpensive but beautiful!

Debbi added 1 Minutes and 12 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Also, I believe that most of the Strand is still closed from the hurricane. They had LOTS of flooding. I'm sure it will be a quiet trip.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Debbi

Isn't the Flagship Hotel closed/almost destroyed by Ike?

Ooh! I didn't think about that. I stayed at this hotel in 1999, but haven't been to Galveston anytime recently.

[johnastovall]

I also recommend the Galvez a marvelous place.

Be sure and have dinner at Guidos.

[CaroleHayes]

Originally Posted by Big T

Best place with kids is Moody Gardens.

That looks wonderful, but WOW is it expensive!!! Plus, I think we'd just like to hang out on some beaches, and at a pool, for this trip....

Originally Posted by Debbi

Isn't the Flagship Hotel closed/almost destroyed by Ike? The only recommendation I can offer is the Hotel Galvez. It's sits right on the seawall. Not inexpensive but beautiful!

Debbi added 1 Minutes and 12 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Also, I believe that most of the Strand is still closed from the hurricane. They had LOTS of flooding. I'm sure it will be a quiet trip.

Originally Posted by johnastovall

I also recommend the Galvez a marvelous place.

Be sure and have dinner at Guidos.

The Galvez DOES look beautiful, but not really what we're looking for on this trip. We don't need anything fancy, really.... We're perfectly happy at a La Quinta, or a Drury Inn. Just something with a decent pool, preferably on a nice beach that won't be too crowded.

Debbi, I don't even know what the Strand is.... Are all the beaches going to be closed?? Do we need to do this later, or do you think we'll find something still open...?

[rexster314]

There are two La Quinta hotels on the seawall. One in the northern part that has a nice pool and what looks like a swim up bar. There's another one on the southern end that is your typical La Quinta. Also in the mix are Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn that looks pretty good. I've heard good words about the Commodore hotel but have no knowledge of that one at all except it's been there for a while.

Rex

[kimberley]

We just got back from a weekend in Galveston...

First: Flagship is gone it was partial destroyed there is still a truck lodged in the front of it.

We stayed at the hotel Galvez. I looked at alot of hotels before I booked. The room was 149 a night with a gulf view and non gulf view was 119. The rooms were small but the hotel was gorgeous. The outdoor pool was to die for, there is a veranda over looking the pool. One night the kids swam and I sat up there with a soda a pice of cake and a book with a awesome breeze, pure heaven.

Most of the hotel you want to stay at there run about 119 a night. Most hotels arent open. The holiday Inn is open and runs the same as Galvez. San Luis was open too.

Galvez is right on the sea wall and just a hope across the street and we were on the beach. We have already planned a returm trip there next month.

kimberley added 1 Minutes and 54 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

added...there are lots of shops at the strand open not all but enough to make a good afternoon trip.

Rain Forrest Cafe was fun, expensive but fun. Its along the sea wall

[ldelacruz]

The Beaches are open. There are beaches off the Sea Wall but they are smaller and very touristy if that is a word. San Luis Pass, Pirates Beach and Crystal Beach are going to have more open area and are away from the main tourist area. Since you have to take the ferry to Crystal Beah you would probably want to make a day out of it.

If the Galvez is $119 a night I would stay there. Not only is it beautiful but the convenience should make up for the cost. It is across the street from the beach, Sea Wall and it is within walking distance to the Rain Forest Cafe so you will have things to do at night.

A couple of things to do besides the beach would be Schlitterbahn, Rain Forest Cafe and Moody Gardens. Moody Gardens has a very nice pool/man made beach and they serve drinks there. The Rain Forest Cafe is cool to see at night because of the Volcano, the outdoor games and the indoor ride.

Hope this helps.

[johnastovall]

This is the Strand in Galveston...

I'll add this the best time to visit Galveston is in December or January. The town has a ambiance which can not be felt when it's flooded with tourists for the beaches.

Also you might want to get and take a copy of The Galveston That Was
by Howard Barnstone
Photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson and Ezra Stoller

There's a far richer and more interesting Galveston to be found once you leave the tourist traps, beach and Seawall Blvd. behind.