Founded in 1836, Galveston Island sits on the southernmost coastline of Texas just 50 miles south of Houston. Called the "Ellis Island of the West," Galveston is the richest city in the state and boasts 32 miles of shoreline, seven beaches and the Port of Galveston, the year-round home port to two Carnival Cruise Line vessels. A handful of hotels dot the island, and most are within an easy distance of the port.
Erected in 1879, the recently renovated Tremont House is nestled in the heart of Galveston's Strand Historic District just blocks from the cruise ship terminal. This onetime warehouse now houses 119 guest rooms and suites with more than 12 individual floor plans. Rooms are complemented by natural hues, hardwood flooring and wicker furnishings, while in-suite bathrooms boast hand-painted English tiles, rainfall shower heads and marble accents. High-speed Internet is free and accessible throughout. The Tremont hosts its own cafe, which is open daily from breakfast to dinner.
The hotel's sister establishment, the Hotel Galvez, is about two miles south and features its own full-size restaurant. Bernardo's serves traditional Nouvelle cuisine and incorporates fresh Gulf Coast seafood and seasonal ingredients into its dishes. The Hotel Galvez also offers a full-service spa and outdoor pool, both of which are open to Tremont guests. The Gulf is just minutes from the hotel, as is the Texas Seaport Museum, final home of the three-masted, iron-hulled sailing ship "Elissa." Built in 1877 in Aberdeen, Scotland, the ship was designated a National Historic Landmark and one of America's Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Located on the eastern side of the island, this La Quinta Inn is about 10 miles from the terminal. Each of the hotel's 119 rooms includes basic amenities, including free wireless Internet. An expansive sundeck surrounds the outdoor swimming pool, which is just a short walk from the beach. A complimentary buffet breakfast of waffles, cereal, fresh fruit and baked goods is available daily, and half a dozen restaurants are located within 2.5 miles of the hotel. Both the Galveston Island Railroad Museum and Bishop's Palace are less than a mile and a half from the hotel. Constructed of steel and stone between 1887 and 1892 for Col. Walter Gresham and his wife Josephine, Bishop's Palace is touted as one of the most significant of Victorian residences in the United States.
Situated dockside, Harbor House is under a half mile from the island's port and is adjacent to the Strand Historic District and the Texas Seaport Museum. The hotel offers 39 recently restored, nautical-style guest rooms and three one-bedroom suites, all of which provide views of the harbor. Rooms come furnished with white-washed oak furnishings, designer fabrics and pickled wood floors, and Internet access is free throughout. While the hotel does not house its own eatery, three restaurants--Willie G's, Fisherman's Wharf and Olympia The Grill at Pier 21--are within walking distance. The Grand 1894 Opera House is about an eight-minute walk from Harbor House. One of the few remaining theaters of its era in Texas, the Grand hosts a variety of Broadway and off-Broadway musicals, plays and concert performances annually.
