Best Family-Friendly Hotels: Texas Gulf Coast

Family vacations can create wonderful memories. Whether you plan on relaxing or having an adventure (or both), where you stay is just as important as the destination. Not all hotels and resorts are family-friendly with amenities that everyone can enjoy. If your travel plans include a beach getaway this year, we have compiled a list of some of the best family-friendly hotels along the 350-mile Texas Gulf Coast. Let’s create incredible memories while enjoying the accommodations at our destination.

• Best Room Type: King or 2 Queen Beds Room with Balcony and Gulf View
• Price Point: $$$
• Top Amenities: On-site restaurant, pet-friendly, beach access, outdoor pool, fitness center, room service, pet-friendly rooms, and EV charging

If I had to do my trip to Galveston again, I would stay at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort. Why? Well, I happen to love staying at Hilton properties. Not only are they clean and comfortable, but the service is top-notch. I also get points as a Hilton Honors member.

The Hilton Galveston is located on 35 acres along Seawall Boulevard, less than a half-mile from the beach. Many rooms offer Gulf views. There are several room options, including standard, superior, and premium rooms with king or two queen beds, and each room tier also has an accessible option for those with mobility concerns. With amenities like on-site dining and a pool that kids will love, which happens to have a swim-up bar that parents will love, there’s little reason to leave the property if you just want a relaxing getaway. However, there are so many fun things to do in Galveston that you should go out and explore them all.

2. La Copa Inn Beach Hotel, South Padre Island

• Best Room Type: Three-room Family Oceanfront Suite
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: On-site cafe, fitness center, gift shop, oceanfront pool and hot tub, private boardwalk to the beach, complimentary hot breakfast, and on-site restaurant, La Copa Cabana Bar & Grill

Planning a family vacation to South Padre Island? Known for its tropical feel, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and beachcombing, and wildlife, this barrier island is the perfect getaway destination in Texas. There’s a relaxed vibe here, whether you decide to spend hours on the beach, hiking, birdwatching to see some of the 300 bird species on the island, or fishing from the Queen Isabella State Fishing Pier.

South Padre Island also has several resorts, inns, and hotels. As far as family-friendly resorts go, La Copa Inn Beach Hotel is quite affordable, whether you book a room or a suite. Its tropical decor and bright use of colors are fitting given its island location, and you can stay in an oceanfront room to further enhance your laid-back getaway on the Gulf Coast. Each room has a mini fridge, a microwave, a TV, and coffee makers. If you prefer a suite, know they have their own kitchenettes.

• Best Room Type: Large Premium Corner Room with Full Bay View
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: On-site restaurant, fitness center, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi

Located right on the beach, the DoubleTree by Hilton Corpus Christi Beachfront offers the ultimate Gulf getaway in Corpus Christi. Book an oceanfront balcony room to take in those gorgeous Gulf views and breathe in that wonderful coastal air. So relaxing! What’s even more relaxing is the pool with a swim-up bar and a jacuzzi, or hit the beach steps away. If you’re feeling adventurous, walk down the beach to the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. This hotel and its location are perfect for families!

4. Island Hotel Port Aransas

• Best Room Type: Suite with a kitchen and balcony
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, coffee, tea, parking, and Wi-Fi; laundry facilities; outdoor pool; and a game room.

Port Aransas may be an underrated beach town in Texas, but it shouldn’t be. After all, it has so much to offer, from clear water and white-sand beaches to outdoor activities like fishing, birdwatching, swimming, and boating. You’re missing out if you’ve never considered a getaway in Port Aransas. I found the most charming hotel you can stay at in town: the Island Hotel Port Aransas. This family-friendly boutique hotel has 57 cheery, colorful, and affordable rooms and is a 15-minute walk to the beach, golfing, and the Horace Caldwell Pier.

• Best Room Type: King/2 Queen Bed Suite with Gulf View
• Price Point: $$
• Top Amenities: Beach access, outdoor pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant, room service, pet-friendly rooms, and EV charging

Another family-friendly hotel to consider booking on the 34-mile-long South Padre Island is the Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront. This clean and comfortable hotel is a great basecamp for summer fun, located close to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Not only that, but you’re steps away from the beach for sunbathing while the kids build sandcastles. You can also choose to relax at the poolside while enjoying views of the Gulf.

Are you ready for a beach vacation this summer? I can’t wait to take my kids to the beach! The above selection is among the best family-friendly hotels along the Texas Gulf Coast, close to attractions, while providing a comfortable and relaxing stay for all. Have a great summer!