102 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Texas, United States
Quiet location within walking distance of the beach
and restaurants
Clean, pleasant rooms with mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers
Some rooms have nice ocean views
Lovely outdoor pool and free outdoor parking
Free breakfast buffet includes eggs and waffles
Small fitness center with a handful of cardio and weight-training machines
Business center
with computer stations, printers, and fax
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Free coffee and tea available in the lobby 24 hours a day
Longer walk to the beach than from neighboring hotels
No on-site restaurant or bar
Noise travels between rooms
No pets allowed (a pro for some)
Slightly more secluded than other hotels on Galveston’s main beachfront road, this budget Best Western is a solid pick for those who want to be at arm’s length from the action. The walk to the beach takes a little longer than from neighboring hotels, but the Best Western Plus Seawall has a lovely outdoor pool, free parking, Wi-Fi, and includes breakfast in the room rate. The 62 rooms are basic but large and pleasant, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers; some have nice views of the ocean.
Scene
Nicely decorated hotel with dark wood finishes, plus an attractive pool area
This Best Western is one of the more attractive properties in the chain. It's situated in a four-story building accented with mosaic-style brickwork. The entry and lobby areas are cool and inviting, if a bit dark. The reception desk and surrounding lounge tables and chairs (used for breakfast seating) consist of dark wood with faded aqua upholstery. A kitchen cart with free coffee and tea is available at all times, plus an additional shelf behind the reception desk is loaded with products and snacks for sale. A large sectional couch and two patterned slipper chairs offer seating across from the elevator. The outdoor pool area, surrounded by palm trees and a mixed garden of desert and tropical plants, is lovely, especially for a budget hotel. There are outdoor tables and chairs under a shaded terrace where guests can sit, in addition to a handful of loungers.
Location
On the eastern end of the Galveston beachfront, a few minutes' walk from the beach and the action
The hotel is located on the wide and sometimes busy Seawall Boulevard across the street from the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. There's an RV Park/Resort across the street but not much else on the surrounding block. The hotel is on the eastern end of the beachfront, secluded from the busy area but close enough to walk to the action. Steward Beach is about an eight-minute walk, as is Walgreens, a market, a pizzeria, and a pho restaurant. The historic downtown area is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and Moody Gardens is about a 20-minute drive. Houston is about an hour’s drive away, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about an hour and a half away.
Rooms
Clean, comfortable, and well-equipped rooms
The 62 clean and pleasant rooms are standard chain fare and are virtually identical, with gray-and-blue-red striped covers on the beds, which guests report are comfortable. They come with 32-inch HDTV flat-screens, which offer a number of cable channels, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, desks, safes, and ironing facilities. Some rooms have nice views of the ocean in the distance. Suites are larger and come with bigger TVs but do not have separate bedrooms. Bathrooms are a decent size with shower/tub combos and speckled granite countertops; hairdryers and basic toiletries are provided.
Features
Nice outdoor pool and freebies like parking, breakfast, and Wi-Fi
This Best Western Plus offers a nice list of amenities for a budget hotel: There's free outdoor parking, free Wi-Fi in the rooms and throughout the hotel, a lovely outdoor pool, a small fitness center, a business center, and a breakfast buffet that includes hot items like eggs and waffles. Plus there are snacks for purchase at the front desk, which is open 24 hours.