13 Best Resorts on South Padre Island, Texas

One of the most popular beach resort destinations in Texas, South Padre Island attracts revelers to swim in its warm Gulf of Mexico waters and play at its many oceanfront resorts.

This barrier island off the southern tip of Texas is home to hotels and resorts for all budgets and styles of travelers—although properties here definitely skew towards 3-star and 2-star options with no true luxury options.

If you are booking a romantic getaway, there are semi-luxe properties with large pools and plenty of dining options. For families traveling with kids there are more affordable mid-range resorts that offer plenty to keep little ones entertained.

South Padre Island is also popular with groups of friends vacationing together, and for this demographic, you'll also find a range of hotels and resorts to meet your needs. Best of all South Padre Island is a year-round destination.

Here is our list of the best resorts in South Padre Island.

1. Pearl South Padre

Accommodation: Pearl South Padre

Under new management that has improved its quality, Pearl South Padre Resort is one of the top 4-star properties on the island and now one of the top beach resorts in the USA.

Located on the southern tip of the isle, it has a lovely beachfront location and is set down a palm-lined brick driveway. The grounds here are lushly landscaped and there is direct gated access to the beach from the pool area.

Attracting a mix of couples and families, it offers a range of rooms and suites that are quite colorful. They come with private balconies and in many cases ocean views. If you are traveling with kids there are interconnected room options. The resort also welcomes dogs under 25 pounds, with a maximum of two dogs per room and an additional fee.

Amenities here include a beachside restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner, and a pool grill, open for lunch.

There is a large lagoon-style swimming pool with a swim-up section for beverages, and a Jacuzzi. There is also a kids' pool with a waterslide. Get a workout in at the fitness center, or let yourself be pampered at the spa, which offers a full range of treatments, including couples' massages.

Address: 310 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas

2. Isla Grand Beach Resort

Accommodation: Isla Grand Beach Resort

The 4-star Isla Grand Beach Resort is located on the island's south side, and it sits right on the beach, which is its best attribute. It is also near the town's top attractions, including the largest outdoor sandcastle in the USA. There are also 15 restaurants within a 10-minute walk from Isla Grand.

The resort itself gets mixed reviews of its rooms and suites, which some describe as dated. Many have ocean views from private balconies. All come with refrigerators, and room service is offered.

There are a number of amenities on-site. Take a dip in one of two swimming pools, or relax in one of the hot tubs. There are also sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, a coffee shop, and a few different dining options including a poolside grill that is open seasonally. The main restaurant is Windjammer's Cafe, and it serves a mix of Tex-Mex, seafood, steaks, and pasta selections. At night, the Quarterdeck Lounge, also on-site, has live music and dancing.

Address: 500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

3. Peninsula Island Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Peninsula Island Resort & Spa

Peninsula Island Resort & Spa is an older, more mid-range resort. But, if you are looking for apartment style units with kitchenettes or full kitchens and a number of amenities then it can be a good choice.

Families in particular like this resort. It has a good location on a quiet section of beach and is near the popular Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

There are 70 units, and most of them are the above-mentioned apartments. These come in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. There are also some standard and deluxe rooms with furnished balconies for those who want a lower price point.

There is a large main courtyard area with a life-sized chessboard that is fun to play. You'll also find a big swimming pool with two jacuzzis and plenty of sun-loungers. If you'd rather head right to the ocean, follow the wooden walkway to the beach. Here, there are more chairs for guests to use.

Other amenities include a Mexican restaurant (hours can be limited, however), a kids' club, a small workout room, and a spa.

Address: 340 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

4. Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront

Located on the beach backed by dunes, the Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island is on the northern side of the island. There are great sunset views from the beach here.

The 3-star hotel has retro-style rooms and suites. These have fun color accents and comfy beds with crisp white linens. Try to book an ocean-view room on as high a floor as possible for unobstructed views from your furnished balcony. Rooms also have microwaves and refrigerators, and room service is available.

All sorts of activities can be arranged here, including horseback riding along the beach, parasailing, and fishing. There is a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a workout room on-site as well.

Address: 7010 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

5. La Copa Inn Beach Hotel

Accommodation: La Copa Inn Beach Hotel

Just across from the Queen Isabella Causeway that attaches South Padre Island to the mainland, La Copa Beach Hotel is a popular mid-range property right on the beach. This good-value hotel is especially popular with families, as there are room configurations designed for larger parties - check out the three-room family suite for instance.

All rooms are spacious with a modern vibe and come with comfy beds featuring Tempur-Pedic mattresses and crisp white linens. Balconies come standard, and most rooms have ocean views. You'll also find microwaves, coffee makers, refrigerators, and premium cable channels on HDTVs.

Amenities include a complimentary breakfast and free parking, and kids stay free. There is a swimming pool with a spa tub, surrounded by sun loungers and gazebos. A walkway leads down to the beach.

Grab a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant with an outdoor seating area. There are also two dozen other restaurants less than a mile from La Copa Inn.

Address: 350 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

6. Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island - Beach Front, an IHG Hotel

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island - Beach Front, an IHG Hotel

Offering direct beach access, Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island is a 3-star property that also attracts a lot of families. Kids stay free; there is a kids' club on-site and a playground. It is also part of the 25-acre Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, and guests receive discounted access to the park, which features multiple indoor and outdoor pools, slides, lazy rivers, and even a zipline.

This is not the most luxe property on the island, but it is in the process of upgrading. There are two hotel buildings, one of which faces the ocean and is more dated, while the other faces the city side and has been more recently remodeled.

Amenities include three swimming pools with sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also multiple restaurants on the grounds.

Address: 100 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

7. Comfort Suites South Padre Island

Accommodation: Comfort Suites South Padre Island

The 3-star Comfort Suites South Padre Island is a great mid-range choice. It features private beach access to guests via a walkway across the dunes, and all-suite accommodation.

The suites are modern, clean, and comfortable with plenty of space to move around. They offer partial beach or bay views and have microwaves and refrigerators in the room. There are also family suites. Kids stay free here, and the hotel is pet friendly.

Amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and a complimentary breakfast. Although there is not a restaurant on-site, there are plenty within walking distance.

Address: 912 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

8. Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island

Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island

Popular with couples and families alike, the Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island is located right on the beach, and is one of the newest hotels on the island. Located on the north side, it has spacious rooms and suites, some of which are as large as 750 square feet. They are clean and comfortable, and many have great ocean views.

Amenities are plentiful. There is a kids' pool, as well as a large main swimming pool with a swim-up area where beverages are served. There are also a few different dining options on-site, from a bistro café to a sundries shop. Parking is complimentary, and if you need to get a workout in, there is a gym on-site.

Address: 6700 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham South Padre Island Beach

Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham South Padre Island Beach

Located just across the street from the beach on the north side of the island, La Quinta Inn & Suites is a mid-range property where kids stay free. It offers a mix of rooms and suites with balconies. Some have ocean views.

Amenities include a free breakfast with a made-to-order omelette station and Belgian waffles. There is a small swimming pool facing the ocean. There is also a billiards room and a fitness center on-site.

Address: 7000 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas

10. Best Western Beachside Inn

Accommodation: Best Western Beachside Inn

One of the most popular and highly rated hotels in South Padre Island, the Best Western Beachside Inn is not a fancy property, but it gets top marks for value, cleanliness, and comfort. The 2-star hotel is not directly on the beach, but just a short walk from it. It is also close to many local attractions and area golf courses.

The rooms and suites are spacious and quite modern, with cool mural wall art. They come with microwaves, refrigerators, work desks with ergonomic chairs, and coffee makers.

The complimentary morning breakfast is another perk, and includes hot items like scrambled eggs, waffles, and biscuits and gravy. Other amenities include a swimming pool and hot tub, a fitness room, and a 24-hour front desk.

Address: 4500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

11. Padre South Hotel On The Beach

Accommodation: Padre South Hotel On The Beach

The Padre South Hotel On The Beach is a great option if you're looking for a clean and comfortable budget-friendly hotel with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.

The 2-star hotel has a mix of spacious rooms and suites with private balconies and kitchenettes. Many have ocean views—try to book a high floor. Décor is funky retro and varies from room to room but expect features like rattan furniture, colorful bedspreads, and dark green carpets.

Breakfast is free and so is parking and Wi-Fi. There is a swimming pool with sun loungers and a hot tub if you don't want to chill on the beach.

While there is no restaurant on-site, Padre South is located near three popular Italian restaurants. The hotel is also within walking distance of popular attractions, like Isla Blanca Park and the Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA.

Address: 1500 Gulf Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

12. Super 8 by Wyndham South Padre Island

Accommodation: Super 8 by Wyndham South Padre Island

Kids stay free at the Super 8 by Wyndham South Padre Island. The budget friendly 2-star resort attracts a lot of families for its good value accommodations and central location. The rooms here are very clean and comfortable and you can see the water from some of the second floor rooms. They also come with kitchenettes.

Amenities include a complimentary breakfast each morning. There is also a swimming pool and a fitness center. The staff here is very friendly and can recommend favorite local dining spots. If you are traveling with a dog, the hotel is pet friendly.

Address: 4205 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

13. Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Padre Island, an IHG Hotel

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Padre Island, an IHG Hotel

Not directly on the beach but within walking distance, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is a family-friendly property, and babysitting can be arranged. If you don't want to leave your dog home, pets are also welcome at this hotel. The Holiday Inn is located across the street from the Convention Center and close to restaurants, a championship golf course, and shopping centers.

The rooms and suites are spacious and come with views of either the Gulf of Mexico, Laguna Madre Bay, or the pool. They have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffee makers. There are also on-demand movies and video games.

Amenities include a swimming pool, workout room, and free breakfast.

Address: 6502 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, Texas

Best Time to Visit Resorts in South Padre Island, TX - Historical Climate Averages