Grand Galvez - Review 2025

What to Do

To state the obvious, one of the most enjoyable activities at the Grand Galvez is to have fun on the sand and in the sea. The gulf shores are great not only for refreshing swims and lounging but also for watersports like surfing, paddleboarding, jet skiing, kiteboarding, and more. Charter boats can take you further out in search of deep-sea fishing fun.

The resort also has a stunning saltwater swimming pool, heated and complete with a swim-up bar. There’s also a peaceful spa for maximum pampering during your beach vacation.

Guests can grab a complimentary bike and cruise down the historic Seawall Boulevard, stopping at the many fun attractions and great spots to eat and shop along the way. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a do-not-miss for its rides, games, food, and drink for all ages. Or, take in even more history at the Bishop’s Palace, an 1800s mansion with ornate architecture.

What to Eat & Drink

There’s currently just one dining option at the Grand Galvez, although it’s a very good one. Galvez Bar & Grill has a casual and beachy atmosphere offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests.

The restaurant specializes in seafood from the Gulf Coast just beside it as well as Lone Star State favorites. Sunday Brunch is an extensive feast served every weekend and is not to be missed if your stay falls on one. Holidays bring even more specials and buffets, and you’ll want to reserve a table for these.

If you need more variety during your stay, there’s no shortage of great restaurants around Galveston. Try places like Miller’s Seawall Grill for casual but exceptional breakfast, Fish Tales for simple and delicious seafood by the pier, or Gorditas Mexico for some of that south-of-the-border cuisine Texas is so known for.

Room Guide

The Grand Galvez’s 224 rooms and six suites underwent full renovations during the resort’s 100th-anniversary refresh. Today, they offer an ideal balance of historic charm and modern luxury.

City View and Gulf View: The entry-level rooms of the Grand Galvez feature either one king or two double beds, and guests can choose between views of the city’s Victorian architecture or the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.

Spa-Inspired: A slightly more spacious layout and deluxe amenities add more luxury to rooms on the sixth floor. These include fluffy robes, rainfall showers, a larger flat-screen television, and a refrigerator.

Suites: The most spacious rooms in the resort offer one or two bedrooms and are each named. They offer upgraded bath amenities, sofas with pullout beds, premium coffee products, and other luxurious touches.

Special Experiences

You can start your morning off special at The Grand Galvez with a morning Vinyasa Yoga session on the beautiful hotel grounds. For something more cardiovascular, you can also take a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session with an instructor tailored to your capabilities.

Don’t miss the chance to take a quick walk through the hotel’s Hall of History – there’s even a free audio tour app. It’s fascinating to learn about the $2 per night rates when the hotel opened and how Franklin Delano Roosevelt used it as a temporary White House. You may even get the chance to see the haunted room 501 – ask the staff about this.

For maximum relaxation, consider a treatment at the island’s most prestigious spa, the Grand Galvez Spa. Massages, facials, eucalyptus steam rooms, a relaxation room, and more make this place to decompress by the beachside. If you’d rather be by the water and not in a treatment room, reserve a pool cabana to make the day as special as possible.