Anyone familiar with Galveston?

[Gregswife]

We are cruising out of Galveston in Nov. Our friends, who were are sailing with, were here visiting us fr om Texas for the past week and one of them said that they did not want to stay in Houston, as they did on their last cruise, but wanted to spend the night before embarkation in Galveston. I started looking yesterday for lodging, only to discover that the thousands of people who will be sailing from that port on the same day, had beaten me to it. Every hotel I could find said it was unavailable that night, however I could get a room the following night which would do us no good as we will already be at sea then. Anyway, today I discovered that there were 2 rooms available for that night at the Comfort Suites located at 3606 89th Street , Galveston, TX. I booked them, however, I cannot find pics anywhere online for this establishment - I even contacted Choice Hotels and was told that they do not have pics on their website because the hotel has not provided them with any. I looked on Hotels.Com and several other sites that normally have pics posted and no luck there either. I have been to Galveston, but it has been 20 yrs. or so ago. I am not familiar with the town, and don't want to sound like a snob, but do have some concerns that possibly it is not located in a "good part of town". I know it is only for 1 night, but am concerned for our safety and the safety of our vehicles (my brand new Cadillac which I so proudly posted pics of a few weeks ago will be parked there overnight). Can anyone help me in my search for info on the area this hotel is located in?

[cruisingfun]

Hi Cheryl:

It is difficult to find reasonably price hotel's in Galveston. My daughter went to Texas A&M at Galveston for 4 years and most of the time when we went down to visit we ended up staying in Texas City (about 20 miles north). You could try using Priceline to find a hotel.

I looked on Google Maps for the address of your hotel. It didn't appear to be in a "bad" part of town. Did you check http://www.galveston.com/default.asp for hotels? They showed the following events occuring during November:

NOVEMBER

Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Gala

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally

This mind-blowing Galveston Park Board sponsored event is a four-day Island-wide affair attracting more than 250,000 bikers and motorcycle admirers. The largest of its kind in Texas, the rally features motorcycle processions, drag racing on the sand, Lil' Hawg races, live entertainment, poker runs, concept vehicles and much more!

Galveston.com and Company Epicurean Evening

The Galveston.com & Company "Great Taste of the Gulf" Epicurean Evening takes place each year, where guests have the opportunity to sample some of the Gulf Coast's finest cuisine and beverages from Galveston County's top restaurateurs, hoteliers and dedicated suppliers.

Strand Christmas Tree Lighting

Held at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand

Downtown Farmers Market

Held at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, the second Saturday of every month

Annual Greek Festival

I have a feeling that the Motorcycle Rally will be going on during the time that you plan to be there. There were a few events that my daughter & her friends would get of Galveston for the weekend. The motorcycle was one of those events.

Enjoy your cruise

Terry

[btate]

Cheryl,

I have always sailed out of Galveston on all the cruises I have been on. I have stayed in Houston and near Galveston. I have not stayed in Galveston as I find the hotels are usually unavailable or expensive. I did stay once in Texas City across the bay one time. I stayed at a Marriott Fairfield (I think) - Anyway, it was Marriott, because I used points to pay for the room. It was a nice hotel and just 16 miles away from Galveston. It was a nice place and I felt very safe there. It was not in the heart of the refineries, but near a Mall that did not seem very busy. There were places to eat and I did not get lost.

Anyway, this may not be the answer you were looking for, but it can be an option for you.

Plan on about 50-60 dollars to park each car for the week at the parking lot by the pier.

Let me know if I can help more. . . I am sure there a lot of people who will have good feedback for you on this one.

[shargurl]

I live an hour away from Galveston and although I do not know where you will be staying at exactly, I can tell you that you should be fine. I was thinking of taking a drive out there on Friday or Sat of next week, if so, I will try to see where this hotel is located and maybe take a pic for you. I have a coworker that lives in Galveston, and the bad "parts" aren't too bad IMO. I grew up in Los Angeles though so to me this isn't bad?

[Gregswife]

Shar, if you get a chance, that would be wonderful, but please do not go out of your way Hope you have a great time at Niagara Falls, take pics and post them here please!!! Byron, it was great hearing from you, I miss your posts.

[hazelson]

Cheryl - checked on tripadvisor - under Galveston - Comfort Inn And Suites - I just had a look and it is NOT good news. You should check it out. There are photos as well. We stayed at the Super 8 when were were in Galveston - nothing fancy - but we felt very safe and secure. And the free breakfast was a nice touch.

[Gregswife]

Jenn, the one that is posted on tripadvisor is the one on Seawall Blvd, and the one we have reservations at is on 89th. I decided to email the hotel - I had emailed Choice Hotels yesterday and they said they had no pics because the hotel had not submitted any. Today, I decided to send an email to what I think is the hotel directly. I received a reply a short time later stating that the reason there was no pics as of yet is because the hotel is still under construction, but is scheduled to be complete in a few weeks and then pics would be posted. I do not know if that means that it is being remodeled or newly built. I did try to get reservatons at the one on Seawall and it was sold out for that night - guess that is a good thing!!!

[hazelson]

Sounds like you lucked out on that one lol. If it's new or even just remodeled chances are it will be a decent place to stay - don't think they would spend all that money on something that no one would want to book. :o)

[KeithnRita]

Cheryl,

If you go to Google Earth and plug in the address it will take you to an empty lot about one block from the Seawall Blvd and the Gulf and just south of Galveston's small airport. There is also a long pier, however there is no description on what is on the pier. The Google Earth photos are about 2 years old, before they started building the hotel. We stayed at the old Hotel Galvez Hotel on Seawall Blvd, a couple miles east of your location. If you are near the trolley stop, you can take that to the Strand, which has a lot of neat stores and restaurants.