We booked two rooms for 2 adults and 5 children for our annual Girl Scout trip, planned by the girls and using their (limited) troop funds. Upon arrival, we were told we had to pay an extra $5/child per night. The manager insisted it was hotel policy. We explained that we didn't have any indication of this charge in our reservation (which clearly included children) and that this charge would put a large bump in our budget, but he was undeterred.

We left to consider our options and were able to find another hotel, Econo Lodge, closer to the beach at the same rate and with a much nicer breakfast bar (and a pool and laundry facilities).

When we called the Howard Johnson back to cancel, we were treated to a tirade from the manager about not "negotiating" the price with him. And when we repeated that we wanted to cancel, he insisted that he would charge us for the first night since we didn't give 24 hours notice of cancellation (hard to do since we didn't know about the extra charges until we got there). One of the troop leaders took the $140 hit on this, since we didn't feel that the place was safe or suitable for family-oriented guests.

By the way, Howard Johnson has now changed its Web site to include notice of the charge per child. But it wasn't on it when we booked (the girls have print-outs of the Web pages they researched). But the hotel's corporate office says it's the manager's call.

Our advice: Don't book here unless you are desperate. There are many other much nicer places, just as close to the cruise terminal and the Strand.

Terrible experience from start to finish. At check in all I asked was for them to mail a stamped letter I handed them. It was handed back stating they did not want to be responsible for it. I explained even the worst motels would at least accept guests mail. They stood their ground and simply gave me directions to a post office. We actually did not mind the ditch full of water and the train tracks directly behind the rooms. My son had fun watching the water birds and trains go by. Now towels. You will get one towel. My wife explained she had long hair, families visit the beach, wash up, go back out, etc. and that we needed more towels. She got one extra each of our two days only after begging, having our info checked on the hotel computer, and an "uh huh" from the people behind the desk. Went through the same thing with getting an extra little bottle of shampoo on the second day. The two people behind the desk on check in day and the next day were very unhelpful and just plain not nice. Different person on the day we checked out at least had a smile. Cheap for galveston, but it is because of the location. Situated between a Truck stop and Train Tracks. As far from the beaches as you can be. We knew that going in, bu my complaint is the unfriendly and unhelpful operators, our tub was stopped up, and the room smelled like the swamp that is across the railroad tracks outside the back windows of the rooms. We found a better place on the Island to stay for the rest of the week!

My fiance and I went to Galveston without making reservations first....BIG MISTAKE...we had to search for hours for a hotel that wasn't booked. So needless to say, we didn't pick this one. The room was clean but had an odor. We had to burn candles and spray air freshner the entire time. The price was a little high for what it was. There is not a pool and its not even close to the seawall. Guess it would be ok for someone just passing through but not for a vacation!

Stayed here at the end of June, 2004. Management very nice. Large room very clean with tile entry and bath and with extras...iron,coffee maker, safe. Close to Texas A & M @ Galveston and the highway.Very reasonable $45 and quite.