On Galveston, 'beachfront' usually means across Seawall Boulevard from the sand. Only one hotel here lets you walk out onto the beach without crossing a road. The other seven face the Gulf from across the boulevard, and their parking, pet and breakfast rules differ a lot.
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Find your hotelSeawall Boulevard · Photo: Patrick Feller / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits
Of these eight hotels, only the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort has no road between you and the beach. At the other seven you cross Seawall Boulevard and go down from the Seawall to the sand. How that works.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach ResortWest End, Termini–San Luis Pass RoadOn the sandTo the sandOn the sand, no road to crossParkingIn the resort feeBreakfastNo restaurant; villa kitchensPetsNo petsPrices
Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-On The BeachSeawall, west of the Pleasure PierKids' club, big poolTo the sandCross the road; ramps at 47th and 53rd StParking$15 a dayBreakfastExtra, buffet on sitePetsNo petsPrices
Beachfront Palms ResortSeawall, near 59th StreetBreakfast and parking includedTo the sandCross the road; ramps at 57th and 61st StParkingFreeBreakfastIncludedPets1 dog up to 75 lbPrices
Hyatt Select Galveston-BeachfrontSeawall, near 59th StreetBalconies over the GulfTo the sandCross the road; ramps at 57th and 61st StParkingFreeBreakfastIncludedPets2 dogs, 50 lb each (75 total), $100Prices
Grand Galvez ResortSeawall, east endHistoric, with a spaTo the sandCross the road; ramp at 19th StParkingValet only, $35 a dayBreakfastNot includedPetsUp to 15 lb, $150Prices
Hilton Galveston Island ResortSeawall, west of the Pleasure PierTo the sandCross the road; ramp at 53rd StParking$25 a day, valet $40BreakfastCosts extraPetsUp to 50 lb, $125Prices
DoubleTree by Hilton Galveston BeachSeawall, east endA big dog or a catTo the sandCross the road; ramp at 19th StParking$20 a dayBreakfastCosts extraPetsDogs and cats up to 75 lbPrices
Gaido's Seaside InnSeawall, at 37th StreetTo the sandCross the road; ramp at 37th StParkingFreeBreakfastIncludedPetsNo petsPricesNo hotels match this filter. Pick another one.
Galveston built a seawall along the Gulf after the 1900 storm. It now runs more than 10 miles and stands about 17 feet high. A wide sidewalk runs along the top, Seawall Boulevard runs beside it, and the beach is below.
The hotels line the inland side of the boulevard. You cross at a crosswalk, walk over the Seawall sidewalk and head down to the sand. Upper-floor rooms often look straight out over the Gulf, and that view is what most of these hotels mean by "beachfront".
The wall has many access points. To avoid steps, use one of the ramps the Park Board lists at 19th, 30th, 37th, 39th, 47th, 53rd, 57th and 61st Street. All of them except 30th and 47th have accessible parking close by, and each hotel card below names the nearest ramp. Accessible restrooms with outdoor showers are on the beach side at 19th, 29th, 39th, 45th and 61st Street, open 7 am to 6 pm. You can borrow a free beach wheelchair only at Stewart Beach and East Beach, not on the Seawall.
For a stay with no road to cross, look at the ends of the island: the West End, where the Seawall stops, and the area around East Beach. Most of what you'll find there are condos and rentals rather than hotels.
The West End has one more option. At Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Seaside Resort, 19320 West San Luis Pass Road, only the Signature Collection building is on the beach. It has its own oceanfront pool, and only guests in a Signature Collection room stay there. The rest of the resort is across the street, so book that room category, not just the resort.
Sources: Seawall length, height and access points from Visit Galveston; ramps and restrooms from the Park Board: park accessibility; Seaside Resort from the Holiday Inn Club FAQ. The block distances on the cards are our estimates, based on each hotel's Seawall address.
How you get to the sand, parking, breakfast and pets, from each hotel's own website or brand page.
Our pickWest End, Termini–San Luis Pass Road
Parking in the resort feeKitchen, no restaurantNo pets
Step off your villa's porch and onto the sand: no road between you and the beach. A villa with a kitchen on the quiet West End, made for a week of beach days with the family.
Before you book: The resort fee ($20.13 a night) and a $115 deposit are paid at the property, on top of the price you see when you book.
Seawall, west of the Pleasure Pier
Parking $15 a dayBreakfast extraNo pets
Families get the most out of it: a Kids' Club room, a heated pool with a children's pool, restaurants in the hotel and the beach across Seawall Boulevard.
Seawall, near 59th Street
Free parkingBreakfast includedPets: 1 dog up to 75 lb
Breakfast and guest parking come with the room, so the bill stays low, and one dog up to 75 lb is welcome. Ask for a partial ocean view room for a glimpse of the Gulf from your window.
Seawall, near 59th Street
Free parkingBreakfast includedPets: 2 dogs, 50 lb each (75 total), $100
Wake up to the Gulf from your balcony, start with a free breakfast and walk two minutes to the sand. Both dogs can come, and your car stays for $10 a day while you cruise.
Before you book: Pick a room type with a balcony and a Gulf view if you want to watch the water.
Seawall, east end
Parking Valet only, $35 a dayBreakfast extraPets: Up to 15 lb, $150
The grand 1911 hotel of the Seawall, with the beach across the street, a spa and a pool bar you swim up to. Book a Gulf-view room and watch the sunrise over the water.
Seawall, west of the Pleasure Pier
Parking $25 a day, valet $40Breakfast extraPets: Up to 50 lb, $125
Lounge by the big resort pool, cross the street to the beach and bring the dog: pets up to 50 lb are welcome, with a fenced dog area.
Seawall, east end
Parking $20 a dayBreakfast extraPets: Dogs and cats up to 75 lb
Bring the big dog: dogs and cats up to 75 lb are welcome. Cool off at the swim-up pool bar, then walk to the Pleasure Pier.
Seawall, at 37th Street
Free parkingBreakfast includedNo pets
Free breakfast, a pool bar and Gaido's seafood next door, with the beach across the street. Staying the night before a cruise? Your car parks free while you sail.
Parking runs from free (Beachfront Palms, Gaido's, Hyatt Select) to $35 a day for valet at the Grand Galvez. Over a long weekend, that's a difference of more than $100.
Rooms sold as "ocean view" or "partial ocean view" cost more. At Beachfront Palms the other rooms face the pool or the city. At the Hyatt Select, make sure your room type comes with the balcony and view you want.
Resort fees and pet fees come on top of the room rate. The Holiday Inn Club resort charges a $20.13 nightly resort fee for parking, beach access and the fitness center, plus a $115 deposit, both paid at the property. Most pet fees here are charged per stay, starting at $75 at the DoubleTree; Beachfront Palms charges $50 a night. A refundable deposit is held and then returned.
Sailing afterwards? Hotels near the cruise port has distances and cruise parking. For fees and rules at each beach, see Galveston beaches compared. On the day, check the flag and the water quality before you go in: beach safety.
