Where you choose to stay when traveling has the potential to greatly enhance a vacation or put a pall over it, and I think it’s one of the most important things to consider when making travel plans. I’ve stayed in many perfectly pleasant hotels, but when I’m traveling and come across exceptional properties like these two Galveston hotels, they deserve to be called out with their own post.
Galveston Hotels
The Tremont House
(Website)
I loved The Tremont House in Galveston, absolutely loved it! The European-style boutique hotel is located in a historic building smack in the center of downtown, but the hotel itself doesn’t feel historic… it feels mah-velous.
The sky-lit lobby opens into a bright, airy and inviting four-level atrium with lush palm trees, gentle piano music and comfy seating for conversation.
And the guest rooms are gorgeous! With high ceilings, hardwood floors, elegant furnishings and ultra plush and comfy beds, they’re just what a weary traveler needs after a long day.
Another fun thing about The Tremont House is that its opening kicked off the first Mardi Gras celebration in Galveston, and it’s been going strong ever since. The Boone Powell arch remains outside the Tremont House year-round and is lit up nightly. Pretty neat!
Incidentally, The Tremont House is the only hotel in the heart of the historic Strand district.
The Hotel Galvez
(Website)
To fully appreciate The Hotel Galvez, it’s important to know that the Great Storm of 1900, the deadliest disaster to ever strike the U.S. mainland, nearly devastated Galveston, TX. And it was after that hurricane that Galveston erected a 17-foot high seawall, and raised the elevation of everything by as much as seven feet in certain areas. And when I say everything, I mean homes, streets, railroad lines, pipes, churches…literally everything.
Plans were made for a spectacular hotel to stand at the end of the seawall, and in 1911 The Hotel Galvez opened.
Today the “Queen of the Gulf” is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast, and it has been restored to its original grandeur including the windows, art and architecture, while providing all the modern amenities guests need today.
The Hotel Galvez offers an award-winning weekly Sunday Brunch from 11am-2pm, and if you ever have the chance to go, GO!
There’s an incredible seafood station, a carving station with prime rib and other meats, a cook-to-order pasta station, made-to-order omelets and waffles, eggs benedict, fresh seasonal veggies, soups, salad, fresh fruit, cheese, breads, pastries and a huge selection of desserts. I’m sure there’s more, but you get the idea. It has everything you could possibly want! Plus, you can sip on a mimosa or champagne.
It’s no wonder brunch at the Hotel Galvez has become such a popular Galveston tradition. It’s phenomenal.
After you enjoy brunch, take the time to wander through the very large and beautiful public spaces.
Look up and see the gorgeous mahogany beams on the ceiling supported by magnificent marble columns, and check out the bar. Oh the stories it could tell… it was in the original Tremont House hotel and then in the Old Galveston Club before finding its way to its current home in The Galvez.
I also recommend walking through the Hall of History, where you can learn more about Galveston Island’s history as well as that of The Hotel Galvez. Did you know Galveston started the predecessor to the Miss Universe pageant? It was called the International Pageant of Pulchritude.
More Fun Facts: St. Bernardo de Gálvez, after whom Galveston was named, never set foot on Galveston Island. He actually sent a surveyor named José de Evia. Interesting, yes?
Love ghosts? There are guest rooms in the hotel that are reported to be haunted, so if you love all things spooky, book one. There’s also a haunted bathroom!
(Tip: Download the free Hotel Galvez app for a 25 minute audio tour or 20 minute ghost tour.)
Comments & Reviews
Shauna says
Oh my goodness, I am totally going to book a trip to one or both of these hotels. They sound fabulous. We haven’t been to Galveston for a couple of years, so I think it is time for a trip 🙂
Jeni Hawkins says
This is PERFECT – I’m going to Galveston in a couple of weeks! Thanks SO much – now to decide between Galvez and Tremont. I love that you outlined all of the incredible features!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Thanks for sharing these great hotels. Galveston is one of my favorite places in Texas, and all of these hotels sound like amazing places to stay while I visit.
Jen Rattie says
I’ve actually never been to Galveston, but we’ve been talking about taking a trip there. All these hotels sound like great options. They look super nice.
Robin Rue says
This looks like such a beautiful area! I am definitely going to be traveling down South more this year.
TColeman says
I have never been to Galveston before. I would love to visit the area!
Louise Bishop says
We go to Texas a lot because we have family there. These all look like amazing options!
Stephanie Jeannot says
I have yet to ever visit Texas. I think it would really be nice for me to go there and check it out. Seems like a cool hotel to stay at.
Jeanette says
I would love to go there! It looks like it is beautiful and there is a lot to check out too! I will pin this for when I travel there.
Tara says
Both of these hotels look grand. I would love to try out the Sunday brunch at The Hotel Galvez. It looks amazing.
MJ.L says
A friend of mine vacations here each year and raves about it, I will have to check it out!
Cristine says
I haven’t been to Galveston – looks like there are many great options. I always want a great place to relax away from home. Can’t wait to start planning a vacation.
Pam says
My son-in-law is originally from Galveston, and he has been wanting to go back. These hotels look like great places to stay if we ever make it down.
Cathy says
I’ve never visited Texas, but clearly this hotel AND the city of Galveston are pretty good reasons to plan a trip.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I love to look at the design of different hotels. I would love to stay at all of these. The rooms look amazing.
Claudia Krusch says
I am hoping to be in Texas some time this year. I will have to see if I can stay at one of these hotels when I am there.
Keikilani says
We were just talking about visiting Galveston today! This hotel is just beautiful. I love the architectural details
Annemarie LeBlanc says
We haven’t traveled to Texas. I am hoping we could see more places in the US this year. I will have to remember to stay in any of these two hotels you featured here. I am sure it will be a memorable stay!
@ Hip Mama’s Place says
Take me to Hotel Galvez! It looks like an amazing place to stay, and i love the history on it. But i am little afraid of ghosts so i may pass on staying at the one lol!
Kristin says
I haven’t been to Galveston since I left Houston. This is making me want to plan a little getaway! Thanks for sharing these!
Patty says
I’ve never been to Galveston but I’ve heard it’s really lovely. These hotel choices certainly give a great starting point for someone planning a trip to the city.
Dana Vento says
This hotel is really stunning and has a unique color combination. I love it because it looks quite peaceful.
Our Family World says
I’ve never been there! I love the ambiance of this hotel. And foods are really fantastic for sure
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Thank you so much for these suggestions! These hotels look amzing! Saving this for when our travel to Galveston!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
My husband and I actually almost had a trip to Texas…sort of fell through at the last moment.
This looks like a good article and is filled with great pics and fun facts.
Jenni says
I wish I could visit these hotels one day! They looks glamorous! 😀
Crystal says
My goodness, such gorgeous options. The Hotel Galveston looks like it should be a castle or something. It does sound like they’ll treat us like kings and queens while staying there.
Karen says
Thank you for sharing! We are SO hoping for a job transfer to the Austin area next calendar year, and I cannot wait to visit the Gulf Coast in the Galveston area. The water at the Atlantic beaches here in New England is so cold (and rocky), I miss the gorgeous sandy beaches and warm water. I pinned this to save for our first vacation in Galveston 🙂
Dawn Gibson-Thigpen says
wow. these hotels look amazing. i love exploring new places and new hotels always so much fun and life changing in a good way. every experience counts.
Melissa says
never been to Galveston but after reading your post and seeing all these beautiful pictures I am putting it on my list of must travel to destinations! can’t wait to read more of your Galveston content!
Kelly Hutchisnon says
I have never been to Galveston, but my sister used to live nearby. She said it was a lovely place. The Hotel Galvez sounds great. The brunch! Yum!
Rosey says
I love the atrium. The brunch though!! Oh my goodness it looks amazing. I agree, the hotel can make or break a trip!
Alissa Apel says
I’ve been to Galveston once. It was so much fun! The hotels look like great places to stay!