11 Best 5 Star Hotels in South Padre Island on the Beach

South Padre Island (a.k.a. SPI, as locals call it) might be a famed Texan spring break spot, but it’s much more than just party central. This coastal destination sits at the southern tip of the Lone Star State, with the calm waters of the Laguna Madre on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. So, it was only natural for us to turn our SPI vacation into an indulgent one, thanks to the amazing choices of 5-star hotels in South Padre Island on the beach. Since SPI is the thinnest strip of land we’ve seen in our lives, it’s beach resort central anyway. What’s more, the resorts have private beaches, excellent choices for digs, and even better amenities. And, of course, it had wonderful sea views. So, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly getaway or an adults-only retreat, there’s something for everyone here.

We complemented our indulgent SPI stay with the plethora of outdoor and adventure activities that the place is known for. For a nature lover like us, SPI was a dream, whether we were soaking in the sun on the beaches or indulging in a gamut of outdoor activities. These included the likes of everything from horseback riding and birdwatching to hiking and visiting sea turtle sanctuaries. Plus, there was plenty of great shopping and seafood that we could enjoy. To that end, here’s a detailed guide to a luxurious South Padre Island vacation.

Isla Grand Beach Resort

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Best hotel with private beach access. What defines luxury in SPI? We have three words for you – private beach access. That was the most exciting feature of the paradise that’s Isla Grand Beach Resort, which lies in the southern section of the island. Since we wanted to experience everything that South Padre Island had to offer, and that too in the lap of luxury, this place was the perfect choice. That’s why this resort is also one of the best beachfront hotels in South Padre Island, TX.

For one, the place was overflowing with amenities. It had not one but two swimming pools. The larger one was family-friendly, with kids frolicking about, and the smaller one was adults-only, quieter, and more our vibe. Nevertheless, both pools were lined with colorful loungers and umbrellas; we could even order cocktails and snacks from the poolside bar. There was even a hot tub nearby for soaking our sore muscles and a fitness center. Moreover, we loved that there were multiple eating options, including a lounge, a coffee shop, and an outdoor burger grill. Of course, the onsite spa was a great place to unwind and rejuvenate. The standout was the direct beach access, which had loungers, beachside service, and sand volleyball courts. What fun!

We didn’t find traditional rooms here, but that was one of the best things about here. There were three kinds of cabana rooms – garden view, beach view, and beachfront – and we chose the beachfront ones. For larger groups, there were even two-bedroom high-rise condos.

Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island

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Best location. Tucked on the southern edge of the stunning SPI, Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island probably had the best location on the island. The luxurious Texan getaway occupied a prime oceanside location overlooking the Gulf Coast, which was what drew us here. Beachside access was easy, thanks to the boardwalk, which led right from the resort’s grounds to the sandy expanse.

Back at the resort, we’d love lounging by the outdoor pool, which also had direct beach access. After a leisurely swim, we’d relax on the loungers with sweeping views of the ocean. We could even order light bites, draft brews, and chill margaritas from the swim-up poolside bar. Later on, the massages and treatments at the St. Somewhere Spa rejuvenated us, following which we’d hit the Salty Rim Bar and Grill to drink ice-cold beers and Tex-Mex tacos. In fact, our days began with hearty complimentary buffet breakfasts, and the staff was very helpful with everything we wanted.

You can choose from a host of rooms and suites, all of which come with cable flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, fridges, and luxe bathrooms. Our beachfront suite even has a laundry room, a kitchen, and a beautiful oceanfront balcony with gorgeous views.

Peninsula Island Resort & Spa

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Best for large groups. With a wooden walkway leading right to the beach, the Peninsula Island Resort & Spa is one of the most popular beachfront hotels in SPI. What we liked about the beach section was that it was a quiet section of Isla Blanca Beach. Orange loungers are peppered across the beach, complete with umbrellas and towels. On days that we weren’t exploring, the beach would be where we’d be, followed by a swim and lounge at the huge swimming pool, which has sun loungers and two jacuzzis. It’s set in the large main courtyard, which also had a life-sized chessboard that was fun to play. When the hunger pangs came calling, the Mexican restaurant served delicious meals. While there’s a small workout room, we were on vacation, which is why we would head off to the spa whenever we got a chance.

Since we were a large group of friends looking for apartment-style units with kitchens/kitchenettes, this resort was the perfect choice for us. We had the choice of 70 units, most of which were in the form of the above-mentioned apartments, which came in one-, two-, or three-bedroom configurations. Our large sea-facing apartment was worth the splurge, especially since it also came with comfy bedrooms, a kitchen, and an ocean-facing balcony with alfresco seating.

La Copa Inn Beach Hotel

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Best value-for-money 5-star. Are you looking for a 5-star SPI hotel that won’t break the bank? The La Copa Inn Beach Hotel, which lies just across from the Queen Isabella Causeway, is the best beachfront property that’s affordable too. In fact, it was a fantastic beach resort to stay with our entire family.

So, what makes this hotel so popular with families? Firstly, we had the choice of many room configurations that were specifically designed for larger parties. Our three-room oceanfront family suite, for instance, was very spacious and came with two king and queen beds each. What’s even better is that it even had two bathrooms for utmost comfort, a full kitchen, a dining area, and a living room with a sofa. The highlight was the oceanfront balcony, something that was standard in all rooms. Plus, most rooms came with ocean views, which is something we appreciated, as well as fridges, coffeemakers, and microwaves.

Even though the resort doesn’t break the bank, it comes with many amenities, starting with every morning’s hearty complimentary breakfast. The swimming pool with a spa tub was a great place for all of us to hang out and have fun together, especially since gazebos and sun loungers surrounded it. Moreover, the onsite restaurant serves meals and even has a nice outdoor seating area. A fitness center and free Wi-Fi aside, the highlight here was the walkway that led down to the beach. Did you know that the hotel also offers a variety of activities like jet ski rentals and fishing charters, as well as special discounts for longer stays? Yes!

Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island Beachfront

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Best beachfront chain hotel for kids. We were looking for a good beachfront chain hotel in South Padre Island, and the Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island Beachfront fitted the bill perfectly. The bonus? It even offered direct beach access! What’s more, the property attracted a lot of families, just like ours, and there are many reasons for that. For one, kids under a certain age could stay for free. What’s more, there was a kids’ club right on the property, along with a playground. So, the children had the time of their lives here as we enjoyed some me time. Since the property is part of the 25-acre-huge Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, we even got discounted access to the park with a zipline, lazy rivers, slides, and multiple indoor and outdoor pools. What more could we ask for?

After having undergone a major remodeling stint, the hotel looks great, whether it is the amenities or the rooms. Aside from the beach access, the top draw here was the three pools: the family-friendly one, the adults-only heated one, and one with a swim-up bar. Nevertheless, they all came with umbrellas and sun loungers. The onsite restaurant served all meals, while the cocktail lounge was great for a nightcap. The best bit? The resort even had poolside movie nights and live entertainment!

We had a choice of many newly renovated rooms and suites here, all of which were nice and comfortable. They featured flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, fridges, microwaves, and modern bathrooms.

Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront

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We wanted to stay in a luxurious beachfront property on SPI, but away from the hustle and bustle. That’s why we chose the northernmost property, the Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront, which sits on a beach backed by dunes. With a gorgeously verdant park on the left and the rest of the island on the right, it made for a much-needed quiet getaway for our beach vacation. You’ll like the modern yet retro-styled rooms and suites at this resort, which have fun color accents and mod-cons like plush beds, fridges, and microwaves. Our chosen room, a higher up oceanview room, got us access to unobstructed views from our wonderful furnished balcony. The best bit here was that room service was also available.

Even out of the room, we had a lot of fun here. The concierge and staff could arrange for all sorts of activities here. Hence, we had a lot of fun fishing, parasailing, and even horseback riding along the sandy, quiet beach, which we loved. Beach access was very easy, down a sandy path right down from the pool deck. The outdoor pool area was picture-perfect, complete with loungers, cabanas, and a hot tub, fronted by palm trees and a lush area leading to the waterfront. Wrapping up the amenities here were the onsite restaurant, a fully-stocked lobby bar, and a workout room.

Sand Rose Beach Resort

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Traveling with Fido is always fun, isn’t it? So we were looking for good pet-friendly hotels in South Padre Island, Texas. The striking pink-topped Sand Rose Beach Resort (formerly La Quinta by Wyndham) came to our rescue, and our pet pooch loved his luxurious 5-star vacation as much as we did! In fact, cats and dogs are both very welcome at this hotel, which sits right next door to Clayton’s Beach Bar, the largest beach bar on the Texas Coast! The hotel sits on the more tranquil northern end of the beach on the island, and we could step onto the sands right as we stepped off the property.

When we weren’t taking advantage of the beach, we’d spend our days hanging out at the outdoor beachfront pool. Besides enjoying the occasional dip, we’d sprawl on the loungers and soak our sore muscles in the hot tub. Every morning, the free breakfast with made-to-order omelets and fresh waffles would fuel us up for the entire day. We really appreciated this, despite having no onsite restaurant and just a bar with snacks and drinks.

We liked that many rooms and suites had small balconies with at least partial sea views, and all had mini-fridges, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen cable TVs. Our suite even had a living room with a sofa bed and a full refrigerator.

Seabreeze Beach Resort Condominiums

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Staying in beachside condos is one of the best ways to explore South Padre Island, and the luxurious Seabreeze Beach Resort Condominiums are the place to do so. Comfort and tranquility come together in an irresistible combination at these seaside condos, where the Gulf of Mexico zephyr warms the winter cold and soothes the summer heat. Miles of sandy beach spread out in front of the condos, which sit in an intimate, six-story oceanfront complex, making staying here as intimate as exclusive. A sandy path and a wooden walkway both lead from the condo complex right to the beach, where we spent many unforgettable days.

We loved the family-oriented vibe here and had the choice of two-, three-, and four-bedroom condominiums, which could be reserved for both short- and long-term stays. What’s more, all units came with spacious living rooms, full kitchens, dining areas, crown jewels, large private balconies, and terraces facing the ocean.

Aside from the comfortable units, there were a ton of amenities at this complex. The highlight was the sparkling oceanfront pool and hot tub, where we’d hang out the entire day. Moreover, the sun terrace has ample seating, and there are many restaurants nearby.

Padre South Hotel On The Beach

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Another excellent luxury hotel option to stay right on the beach is the Padre South Hotel On The Beach. This resort offers direct access to the sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, a sandy path and a wooden walkway lead right down to the beach from the pool deck itself. We loved the profusion of amenities at this hotel, despite it being on the affordable end. Our days began with a hearty complimentary buffet breakfast, after which we’d head down to the beach for some sun, sand, and the sea. Later on, the swimming pool with a hot tub and sun loungers beckoned us. Even though there’s no restaurant on the property, many are nearby within walking distance. Plus, there were many activities for us to enjoy, and we could rent jet skis and fishing charters to explore the waters of the Gulf.

The digs here are a mix of spacious rooms and suites that come with kitchenettes and private balconies. What’s more, many of them had ocean views, so we booked an oceanfront room on a high floor to really enjoy the views. While the décor is funky retro and varies across rooms, features like dark green carpets, colorful bedspreads, and rattan furniture are standard. Plus, mod-cons like free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and modern bathrooms make for a comfy stay here.

Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island

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The Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island is one of the few hotels on SPI that sits right on the sandy beach. We needed no walkway or sandy path to access the sands, as we stepped onto them right as we stepped off the property. Since it’s one of the newest hotels around, this north-side resort has some of the largest rooms and suites on the island.

As expected, the amenities at this full-service 5-star Marriott property are plentiful – and impressive. The standout feature here is the pool deck with the large main saltwater swimming pool as well as a kids’ pool. As the little ones enjoyed themselves, we could keep an eye out as well as enjoy the swim-up area where drinks were served. What’s more, there are many different dining options onsite, which meant that neither the kids nor we were bored. Parking is complimentary, and if you need to get a workout in, there is a gym on-site. Pro tip: Don’t miss drinking the signature martinis at the popular beachfront hotspot Bar Louie.

As is expected from a Marriott property, the rooms and suites here are spacious. They all have huge flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, microwaves, and the piece de resistance, sea-facing balconies.

My Sapphire South Padre Island

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An all-rounder resort? Check. The only condo spa in town? Check. Beachfront? Triple check! Welcome to the My Sapphire South Padre Island, one of the best 5-star hotels in South Padre Island on the beach. Tucked on the southern tip of the island, the place impressed us – and how!

The first thing that struck us was despite not being a traditional hotel or resort, Sapphire was the ultimate in seaside luxury on SPI. There are not one but two pools side-by-side private pools with an array of sun loungers and cabanas set amidst lush landscaped grounds. They were our go-to place when we wanted to relax on the property. After a swim and a lounge, we’d enjoy nice, relaxing massages at the onsite spa, which is one of the only condo spas in the town! Even our evenings spent indoors were amazing, thanks to the movie nights at the private theater room right on the property. Lush landscaped gardens, a spa bath, and a fitness center wrapped up the amenities here.

“Staying at a beachfront aparthotel completely changed our ideas of staying at aparthotels – especially if they’re 5-star ones on the beach!”

WOW Travel

Digs at this aparthotel were no less amazing, especially since they all came with full kitchens, luxe bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and balconies with pool and ocean views.

Our Verdict!

While all South Padre Island 5-star resorts are amazing, the ones below are special for their specific qualities and might help you decide where to stay during your beachside Texan vacation.

• Best hotel with private beach access: Isla Grand Beach Resort
• Best location: Margaritaville Beach Resort, South Padre Island
• Best for large groups: Peninsula Island Resort & Spa
• Best value-for-money 5-star: La Copa Inn Beach Hotel
• Best beachfront chain hotel for kids: Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island Beachfront

Where to Stay in South Padre Island?

The thin strip of land that is the South Padre Island is part of the Padre Island National Seashore, one of the best places to visit in Texas. In fact, the seashore happens to be one of the best camping places in Texas.

When you come to vacation in SPI, there are many amazing neighborhoods. Depending on the kind of stay and vacation you want to indulge in, there are many places to stay. The best area here is Central South Padre, which is where we stayed the first time. It’s where SPI’s best hotels and main attractions are, making it a fantastic all-around place to stay. What’s more, it has amusement parks, a whole lot of water sports, and some of the most amazing beaches. Secondly, there’s North Padre Island, which is home to the Upper Padre Boulevard and quirky local boutiques and vibrant bars.

Next, we come to the areas that technically lie outside the strip, which is South Padre Island. First up is Port Isabel, which lies just across the bridge that is the Queen Isabella Causeway. It’s the main connection between SPI and the rest of the mainland. It’s a lovely, laidback little town with gorgeous canals everywhere. Finally, there’s Isla Blanca Beach, which lies right on the opposite end of Padre Boulevard. It’s the first place we landed when we arrived, and it’s super convenient for those who have to travel to the mainland frequently.

What is the nicest part of South Padre Island?

That would be Central South Padre, which is home to the best hotels and restaurants and the main attractions and sights.

Why is South Padre Island famous?

With clear emerald-blue water and miles of beautiful white sand, SPI is one of the most exquisite barrier islands in the world. It’s Texas’ only tropical island and boasts more than 300 days of sunshine and calm weather, making it an excellent round-the-year destination.

Which beach is better, South Padre or Galveston?

According to us, it’s SPI beach. Not only did we find the beach sand to be natural, but the water was also clearer due to low volumes of water coming in from the Rio Grande.