The Newest Beachfront Resort on South Padre Island is the Courtyard by Marriott
Spring break and summer are fast approaching and everyone will be heading to the Texas beaches. And, in my opinion, the prettiest beaches in this state are on South Padre Island. The clean beaches, emerald water, great fishing, delicious restaurants and lively night life, draw people from all over to the island.
Of course everyone needs a place to stay while they are here. There are hotels, condominiums, houses and more to choose from. And the prices can be moderate to very expensive, especially during the high season.
I was just on the island a couple of weeks ago and stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott at the north end of the island. This hotel just opened for business about a month ago, so it is brand new. It is on the east side of the island just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico. There are 5 floors with a total of 224 rooms, many with a view of the water. They also have 9 meeting rooms for events. For a hotel with a location on the beach, I think the rates are very reasonable. Especially with all their amenities!
My room was VERY spacious with 2 comfy queen beds, a sofa bed, a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee & tea bar, work desk with numerous outlets for your tech devices & ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet access, a table for seating three, 2 large flat screen TVs, and a large bathroom. And ladies, they do have hair dryers, so no need to lug yours along! We also had a balcony, unfortunately one without a view.
The Courtyard also offers on-site complementary parking including 4 electric car charging stations, flexible spaces in the lobby for work or relaxation, free Wi-Fi and what they call GoBoards where you can get the latest news, weather and airport conditions. They also have a fitness center and a huge saltwater pool that you and the kids will love spending the day at.
Dining options include Bar Louie which is open from 11am – 2am every day. Here you can get pub grub, burgers, and shareable plates. They have a full bar which includes local craft beers, signature cocktails and curated wines. There is also a nice large covered patio right off the pool. Bar Louie has live bands perform on Friday & Saturday nights which is great for fun night life. There is also an open air Bistro right off the beach for quick prepared meals and cold beverages as well as breakfast and coffee in the morning.
The hotel is right across the highway from both Sea Turtle, Inc. and the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center two areas which deserve a visit while on the island.
Sea Turtle Inc., is a rescue, rehabilitation, and release facility for injured sea turtles. They also educate the public and assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species.
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is the Rio Grande Valley’s premier destination for birdwatching. Their unique location on South Padre Island is the perfect place to observe the birds, butterflies and natural wildlife in coastal South Texas.
Courtyard by Marriott is a clean, friendly hotel with many amenities and an awesome beachfront location which has good rates for staying on the island. But there are two things I would caution you about: parking in front of the hotel is fairly limited especially if the hotel is full. They do offer additional complimentary parking across the street however. The second thing is if staying on Friday and Saturday nights, the music downstairs can be heard in the rooms. So if you aren’t a late night person, pack your ear plugs.
**Full Disclosure: I received two nights stay in exchange for my review, but not to worry, all opinions are 100% mine.
Location:
6700 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas 78597 USA
Phone:
+1 956-433-0590
Toll-free:+1 888-686-5071
