TL;DR

Pastel paradise: by the Seawall in Galveston
Renovated 1963 motel: with shiny white rooms and colored accents
Hip, contemporary vibe: with local art and muted colors
Upscale and comfortable: with friendly service
Check prices here

This pastel paradise by the Seawall is a super-charming place to experience the laid-back city of Galveston.

It’s a renovated 1963 motel with a shiny white set of rooms with colored accent walls, and all matches nicely the easy-going island atmosphere.

The whole effect is a bit hipster Barbie on vacation, which we really can’t hate.

Common areas are peppered with local art, filled with unassuming yet beautiful furniture. Everything’s just a tiny bit muted, but still colorful.

It’s decidedly contemporary, so head to the Historic District if you want something that feels old.

It’s also decidedly upscale, comfortable, and friendly.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 61
Whimsical decor: with bright pillows and printed curtains
Sophisticated textures: balance youthful elements
Room levels: include poolside, balcony, and penthouse
Room types: King Singles, Queen Doubles, some with separate seating
Amenities: mini bars, mini fridges, seating, and TVs
See all the rooms in detail here

Rooms are much like the common areas, though perhaps with a little more whimsy. We’re talking printed curtains, bright pillows, etc.

The textures, however, are sophisticated and elegant, balancing perfectly with the more youthful elements.

It’s the kind of place a 15-year-old volleyball star would stay with her mother, who is guest lecturing about local architecture at The Bryan Museum.

Rooms are divided into poolside, balcony and penthouse-level.

We love the balconies, and the top floor is lovely, but there’s a rooftop bar next door. It might be more peaceful a floor down.

Room types include King Singles, Queen Doubles, some with separate seating areas. None are remarkably large, but the airy atmosphere and bright sun helps.

Small or not small, you’ll have the best of mini bars, mini fridges, cute complementary seating, and televisions.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Main restaurant: The Fancy serves American and local seafood
The Den: cozy all-day lounge for coffee, cocktails, and light meals
Rooftop bar: with events, drinks, and sunset views
Courtyard pool: with loungers and poolside service

The main restaurant, The Fancy, is an all-American, locally focused ‘Fine-ish’ dining establishment.

Think lots of seafood and handmade pasta, and all the good things.

The Den is the all-day situation, a supremely cozy lounge and dining area that fits perfectly with both coffee and cocktails.

It has a nice little menu for breakfast, and a selection of snacks, salads and sandwiches for the rest of the day.

The rooftop bar is all fun, with regular events, lovely drinks, and a fantastic view. Definitely make it up there for at least one sunset.

Finally, you’ve got the courtyard pool, a cute tiled patio with a small pool surrounded by loungers. There’s poolside service as well, no outside food or beverage is allowed.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Beach access: Porretto and Stewart Beaches nearby
Outdoor adventures: East Beach, East Island Lagoon, nature preserve
Ferry to Bolivar: for wetlands, lighthouses, and beaches
Historic sites: Railroad Museum, The Strand, Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum, Elissa Tall Ship
Food options: Seawall and local recommendations from the hotel

Galveston is known for a fun, beachy, touristy time and this location is set to make all of those things happen.

None of them are the best beaches known to humankind, but it’s the combination of sand, sun, history and excellent food that makes Galveston a great place to be.

Porretto Beach is just across the street, for easy access to Stewart Beach and the rest of the coast.

Turn right at Porretto, and you’ll hit Galveston Jetty and Seawall Urban Park.

Other outdoor adventures include East Beach, the wetlands around the East Island Lagoon and the nature preserve nearby. It’s less than 10 minutes by car.

If you want some time with the sea, take the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula. There’s a nice stretch of wetlands, lighthouses, and beaches there.

For history, you’ll want to head towards the other side of Galveston.

The Railroad Museum is a highlight, a 40-minute walk or 7-minute drive from the hotel. From there you can explore the rest of the Historic District.

The Strand is the best place to wander, a street connected to most of the historical gems of the city.

For maritime artifacts, head to the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum or the Elissa Tall Ship. They’re both gorgeous examples of different maritime periods.

You can also watch today’s boats come in and out of the harbor.

The best food is spread throughout the city. There are plenty of excellent options around Seawall, but check with the hotel if you’re looking for something special.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“This hotel is super cute! Rooms are small that comes with more retro places. Everything was clean and well maintained throughout the day. All of the staff could not have been more accommodating. I’m an early riser so TD made more morning coffee sits comfortable. He was attentive to getting the fire pit going and even offered a blanket….”

“Loved the vibe, the outdoor seating in the courtyard, dining options, the staff/service. The room was clean and comfortable. Location is great….”