Last month we celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday with a trip to Galveston, the island city less than two hours south of The Woodlands. We booked a beautiful two-bedroom suite at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center, and our visit was the perfect marriage of luxury and comfort! I’ve lodged at the Moody Gardens Hotel many times over the past decade, and just when I think things can’t possibly get better, I’m pleasantly surprised! The online reviews you see on TripAdvisor and other sites seem to portray Moody Gardens as superior to the other island hotels for good reason – this Four Diamond Resort really does shine and is the best in Galveston!
Our Luxurious, Two-Room Suite
All the rooms I’ve experienced here have been simply lovely – clean, beautifully appointed with an authentic, tropical appeal. This time, our room was phenomenal! Our suite included two bedrooms (2 queen beds in one room; one king bed in the other) plus a kitchenette, a gorgeous living area with swanky furnishings, elegant molding, coffered ceilings, plum-colored accents, and a glass dining table with seating for eight. The floors, furniture, and counters were polished and flawless.
The housekeepers left no stone unturned when they prepared our room (and I’m the type of person who notices the dust and cobwebs in the corners; of course, there were none here!) The suite included a total of 3 bathrooms (yes – three!!) The kitchenette included a bar with barstools, a mini fridge, coffee maker, and ice bucket.
The room was calming and quiet, beds were very comfortable, and the view from our suite was lovely!
Hotel Features
Nevermind the close proximity of Galveston to The Woodlands. The overall atmosphere of the Moody Gardens Hotel makes it feel as though you’re really on a remote vacation. The lobby is open and lush with greenery, fountains, and abundant large windows. Palm trees and other tropical statements abound on the property. The resort grounds are spacious with plenty of cozy conversation areas, a Moody Brews café serving Starbucks coffee and other goodies, a boutique gift shop, world-class spa, full service fitness center (workout equipment, dry sauna showers, yoga room, locker room), terraces throughout various areas, restaurants, an expansive bar area, ice cream parlor, pools, patios, giant outdoor games, outdoor dining areas, convention center and event spaces, and more! The energy of the resort really is amazing from the very minute you walk in. I love that there was no pressure to get a bellhop (we prefer to handle our own luggage), but the bellhops were still very friendly and helpful, plus parking was plentiful and free!
Oftentimes when my family travels, we check in at a hotel and can’t wait to get going to the next thing. At the Moody Gardens Hotel, we’re never in a rush to go anywhere else. Early on into our visit, we were greeted by staff bringing us complimentary chocolates, a plate of cookies, a jar of juice, and bath slippers! How’s that for being made to feel welcome?
Of course the suite was equipped with everything we needed such as WIFI, upscale toiletries, blow dryers, bath robes, and vanity mirrors. I LOVED the full-length mirrors in the hotel! Oh yep there were TVs too (we had 3 total in our 2-bedroom suite – but who has time to watch TV at a place like this?
Who Wants to Swim?
There’s an indoor lap pool and a beautiful outdoor pool, so take your pick! My husband supervised the girls in the heated outdoor pool while I relaxed poolside with my feet in the hot tub. The hot tub is large – plenty space for friends to lounge together! The pool area is wonderfully relaxing with plenty lounge chairs, a dispenser for fresh towels, and poolside wait service (available during peak times).
We visited on a random, mid-week spring day, and there was no shortage of excitement for us. During peak dates and times, including special holidays and school breaks, you’re likely to be greeted with a treasure trove of seasonal activities for families including passes to Moody Garden’s Palm Beach, a live DJ, live piano music, hula hoop contests, bounce houses, family scavenger hunts and games, s’mores, arts & crafts, and even karaoke. In fact, CLICK HERE to check out the upcoming schedule for Memorial Day Weekend 2018. There are poolside movies, s’mores, snow cones, cotton candy, face painting, water balloons, and over a dozen other fun activities!
Hungry Yet?
We dined at Café in the Park – a casual on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out some photos of how beautiful, open and airy this restaurant is:
The menu tempted us with lots of interesting options like chicken fried steak, burgers, and snapper, but several of us decided on the shrimp po-boys with fries, and we were not disappointed. The shrimp were fresh-tasting and crispy and perfectly seasoned. I was expecting a larger portion (you know – those po-boys with the shrimp overflowing into the plate), but it turned out that it was just enough to feel full without feeling guilty. Well done!
The Signature Chocolate Cake was quite large – enough for my family of 6 to enjoy together. The service was fast and friendly, and the chocolate cake ended up being the restaurant's birthday gift to my daughter! My pocketbook was happy! Thank you Moody Gardens Hotel!
Here is the full list of eateries at the Moody Gardens Hotel: Café in the Park, Blossoms (poolside snacks and ice cream), Moody Brews (a Starbucks beverage outlet with pastries and more), lobby bar, pool bar (seasonal hours), and 24-hour room service.
And there’s
Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks, recently named one of the top 100 most romantic restaurants in America! Shearn’s features floor-to-ceiling views of the Gulf waters, and is one of only 11 Houston/Galveston area restaurants to receive AAA’s Four Diamond Award for Excellence! Clean yourself up and dine at Shearn’s for lobster bisque, shrimp, steak, and other signature Gulf favorites. I wasn’t bringing my kiddos anywhere near this fine dining, special occasion restaurant, but I did manage to snap a photo of the hallway leading to its doors.
What Else?
The Moody Gardens Hotel shares a parking lot with the
Moody Gardens theme park, a fabulous attraction that features an aquarium (the penguins are the cutest), rainforest, a discovery museum, 3D IMAX movies, 4D movies, zip line, a seasonal water park (complete with a white sand beach, lazy river, splash pad, and wave pool), a ropes course, eateries, and paddlewheel boat rides. I admit – Moody Gardens attractions can get pricey, which is why my family of 6 invested in a year membership earlier this year. We’ve already gotten our money’s worth!
Also when we visit Galveston, we like to visit Schreiber Park – a park with a lovely playground that’s just a couple minute’s drive from Moody Gardens.
Schlitterbahn, The Beach, and More!
Just across the parking lot from Moody Gardens, in very close walking distance, is Schlitterbahn, a thrilling waterpark destination featuring a collection of water rides, slides, coasters, and other attractions. We had a great view of this attraction from our bedroom window!
Also from the Moody Gardens Hotel, it’s just a short drive to the beach, other island restaurant favorites, the Strand, and the port (if you’re just staying overnight for a cruise). And speaking of the beach,
Stewart Beach (my favorite family beach) was looking mighty fine when we visited on this trip! The sand was nice and clean, and the water quality was REALLY good compared to what we’ve experienced in years past. I was pleasantly surprised! In fact, before leaving home, I’d told the girls there was no way we were getting into the water at the beach! We arrived, and the water was clear and absolutely lovely! SO here we are, in our street clothes, enjoying Galveston Bay. It’s not Florida, but hey…
Book Your Room!
I hope you stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel at your next visit to Galveston! We enjoyed this hotel so much that we’re already planning our next visit!
