Galveston is my favorite city to cruise from. There is so much to do, and the city itself becomes a major part of the vacation. Beyond that, it is always a good idea to get to town at least one day before a cruise. You don’t want to miss the ship because your plane was late. We usually drive to Galveston, and that means I need a place to park my car. Last month, however, I flew to IAH, got a car service from the airport to Galveston, and was in town without a car. That meant I had to look up hotels within walking distance. Happily, there were two excellent options. I took video of the walk between each of them and the cruise pier.
Harbor House Hotel
The closest option to the cruise pier is the Harbor House Hotel. If you are searching for hotels within walking distance, this is the place to start. I stayed there in a room with a view of the harbor, and I loved it. This is certainly not an upscale hotel. The breakfast was very limited, and the hotel had no lobby to speak of. However, there are excellent dining options next door. There are also museums within a short walk, and the room itself was fantastic. Watch the video above. It is hard to beat the walk from this hotel to the cruise pier.
Tremont House Hotel
For a more upscale experience, try the Tremont House. This room will cost significantly more than a room at Harbor House most of the time. Where Harbor House is a 3-4 minute walk, Tremont House is a 6-7 minute walk. However, the rooftop bar at Tremont House is an excellent way to spend an evening. The indoor bar is an amazing space, and the cafe serves an excellent breakfast (which is usually not included in the room rate). The rooms also feature plush, upscale furnishings. It is also located near several excellent dining and entertainment options. Check out Stuttgarden Tavern and La King’s Confectionery, the local candy store.
If you are searching for hotels within walking distance before your cruise, both Harbor House and Tremont House are excellent options. They are different properties, and they both have strengths. For either place, however, the biggest strength may be the ability to wake up on the morning of the cruise and walk to the pier. Happy sailing!
