Beachfront Hotel Recaptures Historic Elegance

Hotel Galvez, renowned since the early 1900s as the "Queen of the Gulf," has undergone a total renovation to recapture its original glamour while updating the hotel's accommodations and facilities to the latest standards. The full renovation and dramatic new additions will gracefully carry Hotel Galvez - A Wyndham Historic Hotel into the 21st century.

Galveston preservationists and hoteliers, George and Cynthia Mitchell, are committed to breathing new life into Hotel Galvez. The recent renovation marks the final phase of a five-year-long project to renew the hotel's landscape and interior. This phase includes the full refurbishment of the 226 deluxe guest rooms, seven luxury suites, The Music Hall, The Parlors, The Loggia, The Lobby, The Veranda and Bernardo's Restaurant.

In 1993, the restoration of the circular grand entrance and the creation of the tropical pool with swim-up bar and Seaside Grill launched the initial phase of the renovation. The architectural firm of Ford Powell & Carson of San Antonio worked with landscape designers, SLA Studio Land, to re-site the hotel's entrance to its original position facing the Gulf of Mexico. Recent additions to the Conference Level include a business center and fitness room and further additions may include 80 guest rooms.

General Manager Steve Wisner is delighted to share the hotel's renewed glamour with repeat and future guests. "Everyone is pleasantly surprised when they see the amazing transformation of Hotel Galvez," Wisner said. "The entire hotel is being completely refurbished and updated to provide the finest facilities and Wyndham amenities to our guests."

The renovation team includes the architectural firm of Michael Gaertner and Associates, interior designer, JKL International Interior Designs and contractor, Case and Associates. The team conducted extensive research in order to recreate the colors, finishes and details of the hotel's original décor while incorporating the contemporary standards for a completely new and improved hotel.

"We are recreating the original feel of the hotel with modern materials," said Gaertner, the architectural director of the renovation. "We want guests to walk away with the grand impression of the space and architecture intended by the original architects, Mauran & Russell."

An Enchanting History

Constructed in 1911, Hotel Galvez was named after Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish Colonial governor who first chartered the Texas Gulf Coast and for whom the city of Galveston was named. Hotel Monthly billed the hotel as one of the "best arranged and most richly furnished seaside hotels in America" a year after the hotel opened. Decades later in 1980, the hotel was named in the National Registrar of Historic Places.

From dignitaries and celebrities, to newlyweds and families, the "Queen of the Gulf" has an enchanting history. Over the years, the hotel has endured the transference of ownership, multiple renovations, and devastating weather conditions. Now offering beautifully renovated guest rooms, public areas and facilities, Hotel Galvez is Galveston's only historic beachfront hotel.

Guest Rooms

Completely refurbished, the 224 deluxe guest rooms are accented with verdant greens, rich golds and sepia tones. The rooms feature new draperies, wall coverings, crown moulding, carpet, re-upholstered chairs and cherrywood armoires with a pullout swivel television stand. Guests will enjoy the romantic and charming character of the rooms, inspired by Galveston's Victorian heritage.

Now more open and glamorous, the guest bathrooms are elegantly renewed with Carerra marble tile, etched glass paneling, scalloped sinks with porcelain faucets, full-length mirrors and elegant wall coverings. The rich emerald and gold accents complement the guest rooms' ambience.

As a part of the Wyndham family, all guest rooms include full-size ironing boards, irons, in-room coffee makers, scales, hairdryers, make-up mirrors and Bath and Body Works^® amenities. Hotel Galvez has been a member of the Wyndham family since June 1998.

Suites

The seventh and eighth floors of Hotel Galvez showcase seven new Grand Suites, each featuring a distinctive design including Victorian, Empire, Art Deco, Renaissance, Eclectic and Victorian Bridal. The beautifully appointed suites contain sitting rooms, marble baths and mini-bars and are ideal for entertaining many guests. Also on the seventh floor, new additions include a Boardroom, a Billiard Room and a Concierge Lounge to provide the finest service and facilities for guests.

Bernardo's Restaurant

The restaurant has been fully refurbished and decorated in shades of green, cranberry and coral. Located off the lobby, its open, airy design provides expansive views of the beach and an endless ocean horizon. Seating 145, Bernardo's will showcase new menus featuring traditional and nouvelle cuisine. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant also offers an elaborate Sunday Brunch available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Music Hall

A lost treasure buried under layers of sheet rock, the Music Hall's original grand archways have been uncovered to breathe more of the original character of the room when it was first designed. As an added special touch, The Music Hall's original chandeliers have been duplicated in the same size, yet modified, to increase the light output in the Music Hall and The Parlours. Wall sconces are custom-made to match the original design as well.

New additions include wall coverings, carpet with rich jewel tones, window treatments, crystal chandeliers with advanced lighting, and updated audio-visual equipment. The Music Hall can accommodate groups up to 500, offering state-of-the-art equipment to serve any size group. Overall, Hotel Galvez meeting facilities have over 14,000 square feet of space available for everything from company board meetings to grand receptions.

The Parlours

Perfect for small gatherings, The Parlours provide a sophisticated, yet comfortable space to hold special occasions and important meetings. The ornate plaster crown mouldings throughout The Parlours have been restored as well as the hotel's original stencil pattern bordering the ceiling, delicately hand-painted by skilled artists. Featuring new window treatments and improved lighting, The Parlours offer the ideal place for entertaining or negotiating.

The Loggia

Commonly referred to as The Promenade, The Loggia connects the lobby to the meeting rooms, restaurant and The Veranda and overlooks the hotel's plush grounds and the Gulf of Mexico. This area received restored hand-painted stenciling, fresh paint and carpeting with a border reflecting the design of the original floor treatment.

The Lobby

The main lobby of the hotel has expanded to recapture the original size, a more grand and spacious foyer. Characterized by mahogany wood beams across the ceiling, the lobby features new furniture, custom-designed carpeting to complement the original color schemes and a new Lobby Bar created from a restored antique mahogany bar from the early 1900s.

The Veranda

Overlooking the formal gardens, main entrance and tropical pool through a myriad of windows, the Veranda has been redesigned to include an ornate gold and white striped tent with matching draperies, filling the room with whimsical, outdoor ambiance. Providing an ideal place for a romantic wedding ceremony and reception, The Veranda now offers a unique venue to create special memories.

The Terrace Ballroom

The original Marine Dining Room has been restored and transformed into a multi-functional meeting space with richly designed bar area. To accommodate larger groups, this room can be expanded by opening the series of French doors directly linked to the Veranda, creating a perfect site for grand gatherings.