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DISCOVER

GRAND GALVEZ OVERVIEW

Timeless elegance on the Texas Gulf Coast. Since 1911, Grand Galvez has welcomed guests with warm hospitality, historic charm, and unforgettable experiences. Explore our legacy, stunning location, and the world-class amenities we offer.

OUR HERITAGE

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

Since 1911, the hotel has a long and storied history as a treasured vacation, wedding and event destination for visitors from Texas and the surrounding states.

Grand Galvez has pleased guests worldwide for more than 100 years. Our AAA 4-Diamond property is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast and renowned as one of the finest Galveston hotels on the beach.

Historic Grand Galvez
Since 1911
GRAND GALVEZ 1911 HISTORIC LANDMARK
1785
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY

Bernardo de Galvez discovers Bahia de Galvezton (Galveston Island)

1839
INCORPORATION
INCORPORATION

City of Galveston is incorporated

1890
RICH PORT
RICH PORT

Galveston, Texas is known to be one of the richest ports in the country

1900
THE GREAT STORM
THE GREAT STORM

The Great Storm, beginning on September 8, devastates Galveston, which takes years to recover.

1901
SEAWALL APPROVED
SEAWALL APPROVED

Texas State Legislature approves act for the construction of a seawall

1902
SEAWALL STARTED
SEAWALL STARTED

Part of the hurricane recovery process includes a long seawall, started this year and completed in 1960 at 10.4 miles long.

1906
PLEASURE PIER
PLEASURE PIER

Original Pleasure Pier Amusement and the electric rail trolleys are in operation

1910
NEW HOTEL PLANS
NEW HOTEL PLANS

The Galveston Hotel Company announces plans for a new year-round beach hotel... Construction of the Hotel Galvez is launched.

1911
HOTEL OPENS
HOTEL OPENS

On June 10 at 6:00 p.m., the Grand Galvez, the first fire proof hotel, opens.

1915
SPARING GALVEZ
SPARING GALVEZ

Another hurricane hits Galveston, but the new seawall helps spare the Galvez.

1918
40,000 GUESTS
40,000 GUESTS

The hotel welcomes 40,000 guests at a daily rate of $2.

1920
SPLASH DAY
SPLASH DAY

Galveston Island debuts Splash Day, a bathing girl review event (U.S. contestants)

1926
PAGEANT OF PULCHRITUDE
PAGEANT OF PULCHRITUDE

International Pageant of Pulchritude May 15–17 Bathing Costume Parade occurs on May 16th

1928
MODERNIZATION
MODERNIZATION

The Baker Corporation purchases the Galvez for $1 million and undertakes a modernization program.

1931
REPURCHASED
REPURCHASED

Ike Kempner and his partners, the original backers, repurchase the hotel.

1937
SUMMER WHITE HOUSE
SUMMER WHITE HOUSE

President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the Galvez his official Summer White House while he fishes offshore on his yacht.

1940
NEW RENOVATIONS
NEW RENOVATIONS

W. L. Moody Jr. and his National Hotel Corporation purchase the hotel and undertake new renovations.

1942-44
WARTIME HEADQUARTERS
WARTIME HEADQUARTERS

The U.S. Coast Guard commandeers the Galvez and uses it as its wartime headquarters for the next two years.

1957
RACKETS CLOSED
RACKETS CLOSED

The Galveston rackets are closed down in an island-wide raid on gambling casinos.

1961
HURRICANE CARLA
HURRICANE CARLA

Hurricane Carla hits on September 11th (the largest hurricane to hit Texas coast in history)

1965
RENOVATIONS
RENOVATIONS

Galvez is closed for renovations. This is the last we will see of Peacock Alley until 2021

1971
FOURTH OWNER
FOURTH OWNER

Moody sells the Galvez for $1 million to its fourth owner, Harvey McCarty...

1978
DENTON COOLEY
DENTON COOLEY

Denton Cooley purchases the hotel and initiates another major renovation in 1979

1979
GALVEZ MARRIOTT
GALVEZ MARRIOTT

Galvez reopens under new owner, the Mariner Corporation and new name 'Galvez Marriott'.

1983
HURRICANE ALICIA
HURRICANE ALICIA

During Hurricane Alicia some guests take refuge at the Galvez, which reopens the next year.

1988
BANKRUPTCY
BANKRUPTCY

Galvez is sold at an auction after declaring bankruptcy; sold to Aetna Life Insurance Company

1993
MITCHELL HISTORIC PROPERTIES
MITCHELL HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Mitchell Historic Properties purchases the hotel from Aetna for $3 million and undertakes a $20 million upgrade.

1996
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL

Wyndham International is retained to manage and operate the Galvez as part of the Wyndham Grand Hotels.

2002
HISTORIC HOTELS
HISTORIC HOTELS

The Galvez becomes a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

2005
SECOND RENOVATION
SECOND RENOVATION

A second renovation of the hotel... restores the windows on the lobby level to their original appearance.

2008
SPA OPENS & IKE
SPA OPENS & IKE

The Spa at the Hotel Galvez opens. September 8th Hurricane Ike hits... hotel closes for repairs

2009
HOTEL REOPENS
HOTEL REOPENS

Hotel reopens

2011
CENTENNIAL
CENTENNIAL

The Queen of the Gulf observes it centennial with events throughout the year.

2018
MODERNIZATION
MODERNIZATION

Wyndham management modernizes hotel lobby & overnight guest rooms

2021
GRAND GALVEZ
GRAND GALVEZ

May 14th, the Wyant Family purchases Galvez and renames her majesty 'Grand Galvez'.

2022
LOBBY RENOVATIONS
LOBBY RENOVATIONS

Lobby renovations competed in June 2022

2023
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Complete guest room, pool and suites renovations & transition to Marriott Autograph Collection Property

1785
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY

Bernardo de Galvez discovers Bahia de Galvezton (Galveston Island)

1839
INCORPORATION
INCORPORATION

City of Galveston is incorporated

1890
RICH PORT
RICH PORT

Galveston, Texas is known to be one of the richest ports in the country

1900
THE GREAT STORM
THE GREAT STORM

The Great Storm, beginning on September 8, devastates Galveston, which takes years to recover.

1901
SEAWALL APPROVED
SEAWALL APPROVED

Texas State Legislature approves act for the construction of a seawall

1902
SEAWALL STARTED
SEAWALL STARTED

Part of the hurricane recovery process includes a long seawall, started this year and completed in 1960 at 10.4 miles long.

1906
PLEASURE PIER
PLEASURE PIER

Original Pleasure Pier Amusement and the electric rail trolleys are in operation

1910
NEW HOTEL PLANS
NEW HOTEL PLANS

The Galveston Hotel Company announces plans for a new year-round beach hotel... Construction of the Hotel Galvez is launched.

1911
HOTEL OPENS
HOTEL OPENS

On June 10 at 6:00 p.m., the Grand Galvez, the first fire proof hotel, opens.

1915
SPARING GALVEZ
SPARING GALVEZ

Another hurricane hits Galveston, but the new seawall helps spare the Galvez.

1918
40,000 GUESTS
40,000 GUESTS

The hotel welcomes 40,000 guests at a daily rate of $2.

1920
SPLASH DAY
SPLASH DAY

Galveston Island debuts Splash Day, a bathing girl review event (U.S. contestants)

1926
PAGEANT OF PULCHRITUDE
PAGEANT OF PULCHRITUDE

International Pageant of Pulchritude May 15–17 Bathing Costume Parade occurs on May 16th

1928
MODERNIZATION
MODERNIZATION

The Baker Corporation purchases the Galvez for $1 million and undertakes a modernization program.

1931
REPURCHASED
REPURCHASED

Ike Kempner and his partners, the original backers, repurchase the hotel.

1937
SUMMER WHITE HOUSE
SUMMER WHITE HOUSE

President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the Galvez his official Summer White House while he fishes offshore on his yacht.

1940
NEW RENOVATIONS
NEW RENOVATIONS

W. L. Moody Jr. and his National Hotel Corporation purchase the hotel and undertake new renovations.

1942-44
WARTIME HEADQUARTERS
WARTIME HEADQUARTERS

The U.S. Coast Guard commandeers the Galvez and uses it as its wartime headquarters for the next two years.

1957
RACKETS CLOSED
RACKETS CLOSED

The Galveston rackets are closed down in an island-wide raid on gambling casinos.

1961
HURRICANE CARLA
HURRICANE CARLA

Hurricane Carla hits on September 11th (the largest hurricane to hit Texas coast in history)

1965
RENOVATIONS
RENOVATIONS

Galvez is closed for renovations. This is the last we will see of Peacock Alley until 2021

1971
FOURTH OWNER
FOURTH OWNER

Moody sells the Galvez for $1 million to its fourth owner, Harvey McCarty...

1978
DENTON COOLEY
DENTON COOLEY

Denton Cooley purchases the hotel and initiates another major renovation in 1979

1979
GALVEZ MARRIOTT
GALVEZ MARRIOTT

Galvez reopens under new owner, the Mariner Corporation and new name 'Galvez Marriott'.

1983
HURRICANE ALICIA
HURRICANE ALICIA

During Hurricane Alicia some guests take refuge at the Galvez, which reopens the next year.

1988
BANKRUPTCY
BANKRUPTCY

Galvez is sold at an auction after declaring bankruptcy; sold to Aetna Life Insurance Company

1993
MITCHELL HISTORIC PROPERTIES
MITCHELL HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Mitchell Historic Properties purchases the hotel from Aetna for $3 million and undertakes a $20 million upgrade.

1996
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL

Wyndham International is retained to manage and operate the Galvez as part of the Wyndham Grand Hotels.

2002
HISTORIC HOTELS
HISTORIC HOTELS

The Galvez becomes a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

2005
SECOND RENOVATION
SECOND RENOVATION

A second renovation of the hotel... restores the windows on the lobby level to their original appearance.

2008
SPA OPENS & IKE
SPA OPENS & IKE

The Spa at the Hotel Galvez opens. September 8th Hurricane Ike hits... hotel closes for repairs

2009
HOTEL REOPENS
HOTEL REOPENS

Hotel reopens

2011
CENTENNIAL
CENTENNIAL

The Queen of the Gulf observes it centennial with events throughout the year.

2018
MODERNIZATION
MODERNIZATION

Wyndham management modernizes hotel lobby & overnight guest rooms

2021
GRAND GALVEZ
GRAND GALVEZ

May 14th, the Wyant Family purchases Galvez and renames her majesty 'Grand Galvez'.

2022
LOBBY RENOVATIONS
LOBBY RENOVATIONS

Lobby renovations competed in June 2022

2023
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Complete guest room, pool and suites renovations & transition to Marriott Autograph Collection Property

OUR LOCATION

ON THE TEXAS GULF COAST

Perfectly situated along the Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, Texas, Grand Galvez offers breathtaking Gulf views and easy access to the island's best attractions, shopping, dining, and beaches.

2024 Seawall Blvd,
Galveston, TX 77550
5 MINUTES
to Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
45 MINUTES
to William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
VALET PARKING
Available on-site
GET DIRECTIONS
Hotel View
STEPS FROM THE BEACH
Unmatched views, unforgettable sunrises, and timeless moments.
SERVICES & AMENITIES

CRAFTED FOR YOUR COMFORT

Thoughtful services and world-class amenities designed to elevate every moment of your stay at Grand Galvez.

Bicycle

SERVICES

Complimentary Grand Galvez bicycles for guest-use
Daily complimentary coffee/tea in lobby
Daily housekeeping service
Room service

AMENITIES

Resort-style pool, jacuzzi and swim up bar
Full-service spa with meditation garden
GiGi Beach Club
Lolo Boutique
24-hour fitness center
Pool
G
AT GRAND GALVEZ, EVERY DETAIL
IS DESIGNED WITH CARE.
From personalized service to exceptional amenities,
experience the timeless elegance of Texas hospitality.