21 Hotels in Galveston on the Seawall 2022 from an Islander
There are alot of new hotels in Galveston this year. If you’ve never been to Galveston Island or it’s been awhile, then this is the ultimate guide from someone who LIVES right on Seawall Boulevard.
In this article, I share all the extras that others (who don’t live here) don’t know, such as which hotel has a rock beach? Which ones have actual facing-the-ocean views and what restaurants and shops are walking distance? Which hotel is the closest to the Pleasure Pier or the Spot? And lots more insider secrets about all the hotels in Galveston on the seawall from your personal islander tour guide.
What are the Best Hotels in Galveston on the Seawall?
Clarion Pointe
If your #1 priority is the Galveston Pleasure Pier, this is your choice. This is the closest hotel to the Pleasure Pier. Also nearby are the 5-D Shark Theatre, Murdochs Souvenirs, and the Duck Tours.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Limited direct views, most Indirect. No balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Fish Tales, Chick-fil-a, Wendy’s, Golf Cart rental, Liquor Store, Bus Stops.
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
If The Spot on Galveston Island is your favorite hang, book your rooms here. It’s literally next door. It might be a little rowdy on weekends, especially in November for the Lonestar Bike Rally, but that may be just what you’re looking for. Fun!
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Some direct views, most Indirect. Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: The Spot, Joy Bike Rental and Gift Shop. Queen’s BBQ (3 blocks).
Country Inn Suites by Radisson
If you’re a serious skateboarder, this Galveston hotel is for you. Besides the beach being across the street, the Johnny Romano Skateboard Park and a new and pretty extensive children’s playground and dog-park are just about a block away. This hotel is also walking distance to the Pleasure Pier, about a 6-minute walk.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Limited direct views, most Indirect with private balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: The Float Pool Bar, BLVD restaurant, Beerfoot Brewery, Dolphin World (gas, food, clothes, gifts), Golf Cart Rental, Ohana Surf and Skate, McGuire fitness center.
Comfort Inn and Suites
Set back about a block off of Seawall, but still an easy walk to the beach, Comfort Inn and Suites is relatively new and very nice. It’s super close to food, a fishing pier, walmart, and more.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Jimmy Johns, Golden Coral, Smoke Shop
Quality Inn and Suites
In the central area of Seawall, walking distance to many shops and food and a short drive to Moody Gardens, Pleasure Pier, Schlitterbahn, The Strand, Cruise lines.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Mostly indirect, some no ocean view.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Tortuga, Rita’s Italian Ice, Popeye’s, McDonald’s, Happy Buddha, Kroger, Galveston Convention Center, Joy Nails, Southern Spear Surf Shop, Exxon.
Courtyard by Marriott
This is one the newer hotels on Galveston Island. It has beautiful views of the Gulf Coast and is in a very safe part of the island on the West End. The beach however, is super small here, and a little deeper. Most nights at high-tide, the beach completely disappears and there is nothing left but large boulders. So fly fishers love this spot! Maybe not so great for little kids, people that might be drinking, or anyone who wants a quick walk across the street to the beach.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes, but about 2 blocks East for sand.
- Ocean View from your room? Front side yes, backside, no ocean view.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Driving required to most places. A few miles from Seahorse Grill, Vape Shop, Jack’s Pub, Jimmy’s on the Pier, Theatre, Putt-Putt. About a 5-minute drive to Moody Gardens.
Galveston Beach Hotel West
Near Jimmy’s on the Pier fishing pier, this is one of the newer Galveston hotels. Just a 6-minute walk to Jimmy’s, Primetime Theatre, and Magic Carpet Putt-Putt Golf Course and Batting Cages, and a 5-minute drive to Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Limited direct views, most are indirect. Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Cajun Seafood Pho, Kites Unlimited, Lonestar Flagpoles, Valero.
Best Western Plus
Also one of the newer hotels near Jimmy’s on the Pier, Primetime Theatre, and Magic Carpet Putt-Putt Golf Course and Batting Cages. This is on Galveston west seawall and about a 5-minute drive to Moody Gardens.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Front side has breathtaking views, backside, no ocean view. Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Cajun Seafood Pho, Kites Unlimited, Lonestar Flagpoles, Valero.
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Galveston West Seawall
Another of the newest hotels near Jimmy’s on the Pier, Primetime Theatre, and Magic Carpet Putt-Putt Golf Course, Galveston west seawall, 5-minute drive to Moody Gardens.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Some direct views, most Indirect. Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Cajun Seafood Pho, Kites Unlimited, Lonestar Flagpoles, Valero.
Commodore on the Beach
The Commodore may be no more. We’re not sure why but it’s been closed for several weeks now. We’ll update when we have more information! (posted 3/12/23).
The Commodore was actually my first stay in Galveston so I have a special love for it. It’s not fancy for sure, but if you open the room door and the balcony door you get an amazing sea breeze. I like the original brick walls in the rooms and just the vibe at night in the pool with the traffic passing by is fun. It’s also fun to walk out on the pier right across the street.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Yes, unless obstructed by palm trees.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: About a 7-minute walk to The Gumbo Bar, Brick House Tavern, and Crabshack.
San Luis
The San Luis Hotel is probably our most luxurious hotel. It has a spa, valet parking, and a steak house, plus shops (expensive) inside. Most rooms have a direct, stunning, Gulf Coast view. Some room’s view may be blocked by palm trees or the hotel entrance so let them know when booking if the view is important to you.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Yes, spectacular (*see above info for exceptions). Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Kroger (Starbucks), Galveston Convention Center, IHOP, Rainforest Cafe, B Jiggers Bar with Karaoke Night. A little further walk to Kritikos, Subway, Wingstreet, Pizza Hut, Lash Bar, Bell Nails, Wings Souvenir Shop.
Hilton Galveston Island Resort
The Hilton Resort is another luxury Hotel. It has valet parking and an onsite restaurant. Most rooms have a direct, stunning, Gulf Coast view. Some room’s view may be blocked by palm trees or the hotel entrance so let them know if an ocean view is a priority to you.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Yes, spectacular (*see above info for exceptions). Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Kroger, Galveston Convention Center, IHOP, Rainforest Cafe, B Jiggers Bar with Karaoke Night.
Beachfront Palms Hotel
Next door to Kroger and its Starbucks, across the street from the beach, near to great food and souvenirs.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Mostly indirect, some no ocean view. Balconies
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Tortuga, Rita’s Italian Ice, Popeye’s, McDonald’s, Happy Buddha, Kroger (Starbucks), Galveston Convention Center, Joy Nails, Southern Spear Surf Shop, Exxon.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach
Spectacular ocean views (some room’s view may be blocked by palm trees or the hotel entrance so let them know if an ocean view is a priority to you). Has it’s own Longboard Pool Bar in the tiki hut. Great relaxing place to watch the ocean and the people passing by at night.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Yes, amazing for most. Balconies.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Miller’s Landing, Saltwater Gift Shop, Island Bicycle
Holiday Inn Resort Galveston on the Beach
BJiggers Bar with Karaoke Night and restaurant with an excellent breakfast buffet. One of the few hotels with live music on the weekend.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Yes. Some may have a backside view or be obscured by the entrance pagoda.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Kroger (Starbucks), Galveston Convention Center, IHOP, Rainforest Cafe. A little further walk to Kritikos, Subway, Wingstreet, Pizza Hut, Lash Bar, Bell Nails, Wings Souvenir Shop
Grand Galvez
Formerly called Hotel Galvez, the newly remodeled Grand Galvez (now painted a beautiful peachy pink) has shops, a spa, best Thanksgiving Buffet and Christmas Buffet in 100 miles. 8-minute drive to Galveston East Beach. 10-15 to the Cruise Terminal.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? yes, front side.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: No. Drive to most places.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Galveston
Homewood Suites is on the east end of the island and is near Stewart Beach, which is walking distance, and only 3 minutes by car from East Beach.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Most have an ocean view, some may not. No balconies.
- Walk to: Not much is walkable except Stewart Beach, but it’s a quick drive to most places.
Best Western Plus
Also on the east end of the island and is near Stewart Beach, which is walking distance, and only 3 minutes by car from East Beach.
- Walk to the Beach? Yes
- Ocean View from your room? Most have an ocean view, some may not. No balconies.
- Walk to: Not much is walkable except Stewart Beach, but it’s a quick drive to most places.
LaQuinta Inn by Wyndham Galveston East Beach
This fits more into the motel category. Older, neighborhood not the nicest. Maybe has a cheaper price. It is near Stewart Beach, so that’s a plus.
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Denny’s, Benno’s, Saltgrass.
Last, here are a few Honorable Mentions. They don’t make the cut for “on Seawall”, because they are set back about a few blocks. They don’t have an ocean view, but are still close enough to walk to the beach and are relatively new and nice.
Days Inn and Suites by Wyndam
- Walk to Restaurants and Shopping: Jimmy Johns, Golden Coral, Smoke Shop
Hampton Inn and Suites
Walking to: Walmart, Orange Leaf, Papa Johns, Assylum Tattoo, Magic Nails, Pit Stop BBQ, ATM (Moody Bank), Valero.
None of our beachfront hotels are walking distance to Moody Gardens or Schlitterbahn Water Park, but Galveston Island is not that big, so most are less than a 10-minute drive to these attractions and about 15 minutes to the Galveston Cruise Terminal, the Strand, and the rooftop bar at the Tremont House. The taxi and uber services are friendly here, and safe.
Galveston seawall is fun and busy in the summer (when the average nightly price might get high), peaceful in the winter (best hotel deals), and inspirational all year long. The island locals are friendly and our hotels usually have great service, clean rooms, and helpful staff.
Check out my post on my favorite restaurants in Galveston!
I hope this info helped you to make a great choice with your online travel decision! See ya on the Beach…
