No 28 Pier 21, Galveston, Texas, United States
Super-convenient location next to cruise port and on a pier
Surrounded by restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions
Free cold breakfast and Wi-Fi
Streamlined industrial-modern decor
Bright, spacious, and surprisingly quiet rooms with ocean views
Room perks include pillow-top mattresses, oversize flat-screen TVs, and upscale toiletries
On-site self-parking and boat slips (for a fee)
Use of pool and hot tub at nearby Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel
Free breakfast is limited and basic
Hotel lacks a pool, fitness room, and restaurant
Some complaints of rundown facilities and mildew odors
Within a short walk of the cruise port and a host of restaurants and tourist attractions, the 42-room Harbor House is a convenient mid-range option for couples and families on a brief Galveston layover. Rustic wood floors, metal stair rails, and bare-bulb light fixtures invoke an industrial-hip vibe. Given its location on a busy pier, the spacious and light-filled rooms are surprisingly quiet, and come with comfortable beds, large flat-screen TVs, and ocean or marina views. Wi-Fi is free, boat slips and parking are available, and a cold breakfast is included -- although the offerings are mediocre. The hotel also lacks a pool and fitness room, although guests can use the facilities at a sister hotel (Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel). For another mid-range option with a pool and beach, consider the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston.
Scene
A hip warehouse vibe, but no place to hang out
The hotel’s entrance directly off the pier leads to a narrow lobby with loft-like ceilings and bare Edison bulb fixtures suspended over the reception desk. Exposed beams and roughhewn wood plank floors give off a hip warehouse vibe. The industrial theme continues throughout the public spaces, where the neutral gray color scheme is punctuated here and there with a bright piece of furniture or abstract wall print. Apart from a couple of upholstered chairs near the front desk, there is no cocktail lounge or lounge area where guests can sit and chat. A utilitarian breakfast area off the lobby feels cramped and uninviting. Guests are a mix of families and couples, many of them on a cruise layover.
Location
On Pier 21, walking distance from the cruise port, restaurants, and fun attractions
Located on Pier 21 overlooking Galveston Channel, Harbor House is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and tourist destinations. Highlights within a 10-minute walk include the Texas Seaport Museum, Grand 1894 Opera House, and East-End Theatre Company. The city's major cruise terminal is about six minutes away. Attractions on the opposite end of the island, like the beach and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, are within a 10-minute drive. Also within 15 minutes of driving are the Schlitterbahn Island Water Park and Moody Gardens. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is over an hour's drive away.
Rooms
Bright, clean-lined rooms with timbered ceilings and marina views
The hotel offers three room types: The Skipper (two queen beds), The Admiral (one king bed), and The Captain's Quarters (a suite with separate living area, two flat-screen TVs, and a sofa bed). All rooms are carpeted and clean-lined, with exposed timbered ceilings, custom headboards, and bright-colored accent walls behind the beds. Comfortable beds have pillow-top mattresses and high-quality linens, and windows offer natural light and marina views. Renovated, neutral-tiled bathrooms are nicely sized and come with floating vanities, large walk-in showers, and Bath & Body Works toiletries. Additional conveniences include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea makers. There have been occasional complaints of moldy odors and rundown facilities.
Features
On-site parking and marina, free breakfast and Wi-Fi, access to a nearby pool and hot tub
As the only hotel in Galveston that overlooks the harbor, the hotel provides a wonderful vantage point for observing the workings of this busy port. The walking-distance proximity to the cruise terminal is an outstanding feature for ship passengers. Harbor House offers other appealing amenities like on-site parking and boat slips (both for a daily fee). Because there's no kitchen, the free breakfast consists of cold items, which may not be enough for some guests. For guests who want a swim, access to a pool and hot tub are available six minutes away at the Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel.