The Best Beach Resorts in Texas for a Laid-Back Coastal Stay

Texas’ lengthy coastline is full of adventure, from kayak trips through serene marshes to surf days along the jetties. Solo travelers, couples, and families all find ways to enjoy our beaches, and places to stay range from vacation bungalows to multi-room villas. A great way to enjoy a stay along the Texas coast is a resort, where dining, entertainment, accommodations, and beach-side fun collide. From Galveston to South Padre Island and everything in between, we’ve curated a list of our favorite beach resorts in Texas.

Why We Love It: The pink exterior paired with rich interiors such as black-and-white checkered floors, lush carpeted staircases, and rooms finished with whimsical wallpapers and vintage art all create a Gatsby-like experience that still remains modern. 

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Built in 1911, the Grand Galvez came about to help restore Galveston’s reputation as a tourist locale. The Great Storm in 1900 devastated the city, and locals were looking to get tourists back on their beaches. Also known as the Queen of the Gulf, the Grand Galvez has an incredibly rich history—it was the official Summer White House to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 and it housed the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. As of 2023, the property completed numerous renovations, including the lobby, guest rooms, pool, and suites. 

After some time at the beach, head back to the Grand Galvez for a dip in the pool, where plush pink loungers, cabanas, and a swim-up bar assist in getting you into relaxation mode. The spa also helps with that, too, with a steam room, Swiss shower, and numerous treatment options. Monarch Restaurant serves all meals with choices such as crab cakes, steaks, fresh oysters, and biscuits and gravy, and Sunday brunch and high tea are both special. Step into the Founders Bar for a chic cocktail, where leopard-print chairs, Baccarat chandeliers, and specialty cocktails nod to the hotel’s founding era. 

Those brave enough should book a ghost tour with the hotel’s concierge and ghost expert, Melissa Hall, who tells about the spirits storied to haunt the property. 

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Why We Love It: The large pool area is great for families, and various room styles can accommodate guests from couples to large families. 

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Set on 32 acres, the San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center is a great option for couples and families alike. The Cove pool area includes loungers, daybeds, a private plunge pool, and private cabanas, and the outdoor fire pits offer a space for evening s’mores. There’s also a pool bar for tropical drinks and pool bites, and the view of the Gulf from here is beautiful at sunset. There are four dining options on site, including a bistro, Italian restaurant, steakhouse, and a gelato parlor, plus the San Luis Bar for entertainment. 

Numerous accommodation options give you room to sprawl out with your family if needed. Choose from traditional guest rooms with private balconies, the adults-only Club Ten rooms with VIP services, one- to four-bedroom suites, private villas, and even condos. Family-friendly activities and seasonal events keep guests entertained when they’re not on the beach with fitness classes, complimentary bikes to ride along the Seawall, pickleball, and more. The spa is a great way to start or end your trip, with massages, facials, and various body treatments. 

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Why We Love It: Families find endless entertainment here, coupled with private beach access. 

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From condos and cottages to townhomes and full homes, Cinnamon Shore offers vacation rentals both large and small to accommodate everyone from couples to multi-generational parties. Cinnamon Shore has its own beachfront, which is accessed by private dune crossovers and sees beautiful sunrises, as the beach faces east. There are numerous dining options available on site, including a New American cafe, a pizza place, and even food trucks during summer. You can also book a full-service shrimp boil or paella party straight to your rental. 

Currently, there are three pools at Cinnamon Shore North, two of which are temperature controlled and all with loungers and kid-friendly features. At Cinnamon Shore South, the Cabana Pool has hammocks, fountains, and lake views, and more pools are scheduled to be built. Activities here are endless, including family movie nights, surf lessons, beach bonfires, beach yoga, pickleball, numerous playgrounds, two dog parks, bike rentals, offshore fishing excursions, sandcastle lessons, concerts, and much more.

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Why We Love It: Nature takes the stage here, so your best bet is a beach day in the surf. 

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About 20 miles from the Corpus Christi airport, you’ll find Lively Beach, a quieter spot on Mustang Island surrounded by nature. The eco-conscious property was built with sustainability in mind, and green efforts here include separate landfill and recycling bins, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, EV charging stations, repurposed bricks for garden walls, and much more. There’s a raised, private boardwalk that goes straight to the beach, where you can enjoy surfing, fishing, kite boarding, or a slow day with family. Surfing is actually a popular activity here, as the surf breaks a short distance towards the jetty. 

Beyond the beach, there’s also biking and walking trails, a 6-acre bird estuary, and an on-site pool with an island in the middle that has submerged seats. There’s also loungers and tables around the pool. Regular events, like scavenger hunts, water aerobics, s’mores nights, and yoga, keep things entertaining after days on the sand. 

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Why We Love It: Isla Grand is located right on the beach, while also being close to area shopping and restaurants. 

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Located right on the beach in South Padre, Isla Grand Beach Resort sits on 10 acres and includes two swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis and pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, a nightclub, and lots of on-site activities. Kids can enjoy movie nights and arts and crafts, plus Kids Night Out and sandcastle building. For those seeking some adventure, the resort can help coordinate parasailing, banana boat rides, or simple umbrella and chair rentals for leisure time in the sand. 

Numerous on-site dining options give you plenty of choices. There’s Windjammer’s Beachfront Cafe, where you’ll find steaks, seafood, pasta, and Tex Mex, or the Half Deck Resort Bar for craft cocktails and light bites. There’s also a poolside bar and grill, coffee shop, and other spots for a sunset drink. Each summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, guests can enjoy live music during the day and night at the resort, meaning if you don’t want to venture off property for fun, you don’t have to. Cabana rooms come with beach, pool, or garden views, and there are also condo rentals as well. 

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Why We Love It: This bright, airy resort is great for those looking for a laid-back option that’s right on the beach yet still close enough to area attractions. 

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Another South Padre Island spot right on the water, Margaritaville Beach Resort caters to couples and families alike looking for a beachside resort just steps from the water. One-, two-, and three-bedroom accommodations are available, some with ocean views, but all with balconies and bright, coastal decor. A large pool gives you a place to frolic once you’re finished at the beach, and there’s also the resort spa, complete with body treatments, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and other aesthetic additions. 

Dining here is very casual, with the Salty Rim Bar & Grill serving poolside frozen beverages, cold beer, nachos, hot dogs, and street dogs that you can swim up and order, and LandShark Bar & Grill offering a sit-down space for burgers, fish and chips, seafood baskets, and salads. There’s also a coffee shop with breakfast sandwiches and snacks.

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Why We Love It: The resort is near Galveston’s best entertainment and dining options. 

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Sitting on 35 acres behind the Seawall, Hilton Galveston Island Resort is a great option for solo travelers, families, and couples. It’s near the Galveston fishing pier, Moody Gardens, and Pleasure Pier, where loads of entertainment, bars, and restaurants are found. The resort has an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, where you can order tropical drinks and cold beer. The restaurant, 5400 Bistro, serves coastal-American fare with crab cake eggs benedict, fried shrimp, and steak with chimichurri sauce. Rent a poolside cabana for the day, or ask about rental bikes to explore more of Galveston. 

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