I booked this hotel on Hotwire for $49.99 which came to just over $62 after taxes and fees. This was for a weekend night during the COVID-19 re-opening in June. Normally when I look at this hotel for a pre-cruise stay it’s in the $150 range so I felt like this was a good time to try the hotel out.

They do have a park and cruise package at this hotel. An additional $50 covers up to 7 days of parking and a ride to the port for up to four people. Anything over 7 days is an additional $50.

As far as location goes I’m always looking for a close store in case I forget something. I’m looking for a convenient place to eat. A coffee shop would be nice. A sports bar would be great. I came in with high expectations on this one.

The shopping center pictured below contains a Home Depot, a Pier One, a Target, and a Wing Stop. Just a little further down the street you’ll find a Big Lots and a Subway.

That aerial view makes it look as though there’s a nice path from the hotel to the shopping center.

It doesn’t look too bad from the Target parking lot either.

This just goes to show that looks can be deceiving. This is what it actually looks like from the edge of that Home Depot parking lot.

This is what it looks like from the edge of the hotel parking lot.

If I were going to walk it I think this is the path I would take. The grass is lowest by the road. You just have to watch for the oncoming traffic. The cars are moving pretty fast here.

It’s not an easy drive either because that road in front of the hotel is one way going the wrong direction. You have to take a right, go under the interstate, drive down past the shopping center, then come back under the interstate just to get to those stores. I don’t think there’s anything that’s less than a five minute drive from this hotel. It’s not as convenient as I anticipated.

The hotel isn’t particularly close to anything. It’s 2 1/2 miles from the port. 2 1/2 miles from the beach. And 3 1/2 miles from the water park and Moody Gardens. Pretty much anywhere you want to go you’re going to have to drive or Uber/Lyft. If you drive, then you have to pay to park everywhere.

I prepaid for the hotel on Hotwire. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to request a credit card hold for incidentals at check-in. I didn’t think much of it when the front desk clerk asked for my card.

When I noticed the total wasn’t a well rounded number like $25 or $50, I asked if they were charging me for the room. I was told they would actually charge it at check-out. When I explained I had already paid for the room, the front desk clerk retreated to the back for assistance. The supervisor was able to square things away.

They did not put a hold for incidentals on my card at this hotel. I don’t know if that is standard or if it was overlooked due to the payment confusion.

The room card holder issued at check-in included a password for their wifi.

Under normal circumstances they would have a breakfast setup in this back room. Due to COVID-19 they have it blocked off.

They also have drink stations back there, but all of them are turned off at the moment.

This is another look at their eating area. They do have a TV in there.

I couldn’t even get coffee in the morning. They do have the single serve coffee machines in the rooms. In general I don’t like to use those without washing them. This one was visibly dirty without me even touching it so I didn’t bother trying to clean it.

I like hotels that have coffee already made in the lobby I can grab. It looks like they will have that here after the COVID-19 precautions are lifted but they don’t at the moment.

I have been in several other Texas hotels since the re-opening and the other ones all had coffee available in the lobby. One had it behind the front desk and the other two were self service.

The two Fairfield by Marriott hotels, which also promised a free breakfast, replaced their normal breakfast with grab and go breakfast bags. Here, at the Sleep Inn, there is just no option. So it’s a five minute car ride for coffee and breakfast from this hotel for now.

Here is a look back at the front desk from the breakfast area. You can see they have installed face shields between the front desk attendant and guests as part of their COVID-19 precautions.

This is the lobby sitting area.

They do have a business center in this area as well.

Right by the elevators they have a laundry room which requires a room key for entry. It’s a $2 wash and a $2 dry. They do have a vending machine with laundry supplies as well.

Just to the right of the elevators is a fitness center which also requires a room key for entry. They had a water dispenser by the door but it was empty. I am going to guess they won’t be refilling it until after they lift COVID-19 precautions.

This is a look at the room. The closet contained an iron and an ironing board but only two hangers. If you’re planning on doing a lot of hanging while you’re here, I’d recommend bringing your own.

The bathroom features a hairdryer attached to the wall and a walk-in shower.

They do have a pool outside with hours of 9am-10pm.

Next to the pool they have a table where I saw guests enjoying dinner one night and breakfast the next morning.

Overall I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this hotel. If you just want an affordable place to stay on the island or an all-in-one park, sleep, shuttle option before your cruise, the Sleep Inn & Suites Galveston may suit your needs.

• Cruise Hotel
• Galveston
• Galveston Hotel
• hotel