Seeking Suggestions for Galveston Summer Stay

You may have already made plans...I'm a little behind on reading my emails.
We have a time share and used it in Galveston...a great vacation especially from the DFW area. Being able to drive allowed us to take a multi generational vacation. Us, dtr and her husband and two grand-daughters. We stayed at the Inverness by the Sea. they have 2 BR, 2 bath units with full kitchen, laundry in the unit and a pool and small playground. The couch in the living room makes into a full bed.
You can try to contact them directly ###-###-#### 7600 Seawall Blvd Galveston, TX 77551 or if you need to go through a timeshare, my husband would be glad to ____@____.com Good Luck!

We went to Galveston last summer and loved it! We were watching our budget so we stayed at a place that was 1/2 the price than most! It was Casa Del Mar ( http://www.casadelmartx.com/ ). They are nice condos with sep bedrooms/living area/kitchen/etc. It is in the perfect location - right in the middle of everything! Rainforest Cafe down the road, Schliterbaun, Moody Gardens, etc. We had a wonderful time and spent a lot less money than some of the other places. I know there are nicer hotels around, but this was nice for our 1st visit there. Hope that helps..... OOHHHH, and my kids still talk about Kemah! We took a drive there and spent a day - that is a great park!!!

hey J.,
check out vrbo.com. It's the coolest site. It stands for vacation rental by owner and it lists lots of nice places that are family friendly with kitchens and everything.

We went to Galveston a couple of summers ago with our two daughters, who were 1 and 4 at the time. We rented a beach house on Bolivar Peninsula, which requires a ferry ride from Galveston proper. We loved it! It's a little more secluded, since you're not in Galveston, but there are still a few restaurants, a grocery store, and a couple of water parks (as well as other things). We had a beachfront cottage, which allowed us to walk directly onto the beach. We could also load up our Suburban and drive all the "stuff" onto the beach and set up for the day (hubby loved that!). Since we were so close, one parent could take one child back to the house for a break, while the other parent and child could continue to enjoy the beach. We took the ferry back to town for a short day of eating ice cream downtown and eating at a nice restaurant. Look at wwww.crystalbeach.com and check out Swede's, Cobb's, and Moore's realties for rentals. You can look at pictures of the various beachhouses to find the one best for your family. Have fun! No matter where you stay, there is something magical about Galveston for families with young children.

I'm a member of Silverleaf Resorts and they have a resort in Galveston across the street from the water. They have a pool, putt-putt, game room, etc. We LOVE going down there. I could check into seeing how you could go there "not" as a member, but as a guest of a member if you are interested. Let me know.

J.

Go to VRBO.com it's all houses and condos for rent and you can put in what specifics you are looking for. We rented a house for a long weekend from a house we found on that site.

J., We stayed last summer at Pointe West. It's a resort type community a little west of Galveston. It's pretty new and absolutely wonderful! It's right on the beach and has a beautiful beach club with pool. They also have everything you need. I highly recommend it.

Go to vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner). We rented a few houses that were beachfront in Galveston for Thanksgiving and Christmas and it was pretty affordable. Most of the condos you have to cross a busy street to get to the beach. We are thinking about renting a house for the summer in Galveston through the same website.

It is not a Condo, but there is a hotel called, The Commodore on the Beach. It is nice, they have family rooms with a balacony. They are at the corner of 37th & Seawall Blvd, so you are right across the street from the beach, and a pretty good seafood place Casey's across the street the other way. We spent some time down there last year with your then 4 year old it was nice. look at their website, they even have a webcam on the website....OH YEAH they also have a pool that is nice, and it is saline (salt water) noty cholorine.

Sorry- I was lazy and didn't read the earlier posts of advice before I posted my own :)- at least my reiteration is just reinforcement, right?

Try Pointe West. Nice area- though quite a bit away from central Galveston. They have 2 pool areas- one big horizon pool with a view of the beach and a small wading pool close by- then the other area is bay side and has a small lazy river, a beach style pool, etc. Never seen it over crowded. They have condos and houses- but I recommend the condos because they are closer to the pool (if you stay in a house you have to drive to the pool). You will also have the option of beach side or bay side- recommend beach side for easier access, though families with young kids may enjoy the bay side pool area more. Lots of activities for the kids like a bonfire at night with smores, sometimes a band or dj- outdoor grills and cabanas, etc. The 2 bedroom/2 bath condos are a good size. Hint- if you find someone that owns a condo, you can probably rent it for much cheaper than going through their leasing office.

Hi J.!

I used to live down in Webster (20 miles from Galveston), but now live in Mesquite. I seen your request and thought I'd respond.
There is a decent place called Victorian Condo/Hotel right off of the seawall. (you overlook the gulf) They have a kiddie pool with neat little water toys. Kitchenette and couch. When you get to galveston- if you go to the Right (towards JAMAICA BEACH) it is alot cleaner. If you go across the ferry to the beaches there there wil be alot of partys (because they allow alcohol).

Enjoy your visit! Kemah isn't to far (maybe 20min) from Galveston and Kemah is very nice! Alot of neat things to do there as well.

We love Galveston! There are two great places to stay depending on what you want to do and how much you want to pay!

Moody Gardens Hotel is a great! They have a really nice pool area plus your stay includes admission to their own water type park (big pool with sand, splash zone) within walking distance. It is also in walking distance to the Moody Gardens Triangles...an aquarium, a rain forest, and a 3-D/Imax type theater. They have a restaurant to eat at and are extremely family friendly. Moody Gardens is in the heart of Galveston and close to other restaurants and attractions. It is in walking distance also to Schlitterbahn Water Park.

The other place is 20 miles west of Galveston called Pointe West. You have to drive into Galveston, go to the sea wall and then drive the 20 miles. It is only 2 or 3 years old and offers 2, 3 and 4 bedroom cottages. They have 2 pools...one beach side and one bay side. Offers toys, cabanas, kids activities, etc. We enjoy staying here also because it allows us to cook our own food and the two bedroom condo was big enough for the four of us (2 adults, 4 1/2 year old girl and 2 year old boy). You have to go grocery shopping however before you get to the property b/c it is so far back into Galveston to get to the regular grocery stores.

http://www.terramesahospitality.com/pointewest/Home.do

We have stayed at both places. And enjoy every time we go. Galveston is really revitalizing itself and bringing in new sand. The great thing about Pointe West is that it has private beach area and walkovers. Whereas Moody Gardens, you will have to drive to a beach.

There is a train museum in Galveston that our kids really enjoy as well as just walking along the beach and chasing the birds and getting all sandy!!! Also depending on how you go (driving or flying) in Kemah, there is a fun boardwalk area to go to with a carousal and rides and there is also NASA.

Lots to do and see! Hope this helps!

Google for the Galveston newspaper or a listing of realestate agents. Good luck.

The Hilton Galveston is great!!

Hi J.,
Not sure if your willing to travel a little ways past Galveston but me and my family took a trip to Crystal Beach last summer and had a blast. I have 2 boys whom at that time were 6 and 3 and they loved it. We rented a beach house that was right on the beach and was fully stocked with everything you would need. The kids also liked the fact that to get to Crystal Beach you ride a huge fairy across the way which takes about 15-20 minutes. You can go onto www.crystalbeach.com and find beach houses and condo's for rentals. Hope this helps.

Thanks,
P. H