Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
28 Pier 21, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550
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Avg. â‚ą41,922 /night, 1/25 - 1/26
â‚ą46,580
per night
â‚ą30,881
per night
â‚ą15,182
per night
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About
#6 of 62 hotels in Galveston
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Experience true adventure at a destination that makes travel easier. Located steps from the cruise ship terminal, our Galveston, Texas Pier 21 hotel offers stylishly decorated guest rooms and suites, one-of-a-kind harbor views, onsite boat slip rentals, and convenient access to some of the top Galveston landmarks. Our stellar location-just steps from the Strand Historic District-makes it easy to explore countless shops, seafood restaurants, and popular attractions around the only hotel located on a working harbor.
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Property amenities
Paid private parking on-site
Parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Telephone
Iron
Microwave
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Harbour View
Languages Spoken
English
Location
28 Pier 21, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 92 out of 100
92
Hobby Airport
60.1 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
53 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
50 Attractions
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
4.5
1,152 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21 is praised for its comfortable rooms equipped with amenities such as Keurig machines, and a complimentary breakfast that enhances the guest experience. While some guests feel the room rates and parking fees are on the higher side, the exceptional service and strategic location near dining, entertainment, and cruise ports compensate for the cost.
The hotel's cleanliness receives accolades, although opinions on value and room cleanliness vary. Comfortable beds and the convenience of shuttles to local attractions are among the amenities that guests appreciate.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
If your primary reason in coming to Galveston is to lie on the beach, you might be happier on that side of the island...but if you enjoy sunset and dolphin cruises, interesting museums, and lots of shopping and restaurants within walking distance, come on over to the harbor side! Harbor House is hard for me to compare to other hotels, because it is unique. It's not new nor is it a luxury hotel, but there is lots to like here. Our room was scrupulously clean and wonderfully spacious, with a soothing, cool, minimalist, nautical decor. Each room has a mini-refrigerator, microwave, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and most seem to have a view of the harbor. But you don't need to stand there looking out the window, because if you step outside, you are at the waterfront. Pleasure boats, working vessels, and cruise ships may sail by, and once or twice we have even seen dolphins playing. Miss Dee is often at the front desk, and she gets sweeter each time we go. The other two young ladies working during this visit were very nice too. They served a continental breakfast pre-COVID which has now been discontinued, but they still set up coffee, tea, and juice machines each morning. Parking is $15 a night, and there is enough to do in the immediate area that you may not need to get behind the wheel again until you go home. We really like the Harbor House!
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Date of stay: October 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I once again stayed here prior to cruising and I highly recommend you do the same if you have an upcoming cruise. You can leave your vehicle in the parking lot while cruising for a current cost of 12 dollars a day and it is nice to be able to walk to the cruise terminal when leaving and again upon returning . This is not a “ fancy” hotel, it’s small and quaint and the staff is incredibly nice. Give it a try !!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Christine H, Public Relations Manager at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 14 Feb 2020
Thank you for the glowing review of Harbor House Hotel. We know there are several options for cruisers and we appreciate you choosing Harbor House as your pre-cruise hotel. We look forward to your next visit.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
The Harbor House Hotel is located in Galveston Wharf overlooking the North bay and marina, close to the cruise port. I called The Harbor House Hotel to inquire about another 8 night stay when I come to Galveston again. Glenn answered the phone cheerfully and answered a question for me. He then invited me warmly to come back and stay for my fifth time. I keep coming back there for one, because the entire family staff is always accommodating, warm and friendly. Plus they always take the time to talk and make me feel comfortable and offer suggestions and advice to make my stay more pleasant and rewarding. They treat me like a queen. They know the area well. The hotel rooms are very clean and offer great views of the seaport, the Tall ship Elissa, Seaport Museum, the bay and shipping traffic, and some local restaurants on the marina or right next to it, and more. A short walk, about one block gets one to the historic Strand District, part of the downtown area, that’s full of shops, venues, entertainment and things to do and see. Add in a few restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, and it’s a great stay. harbor House is a good place to spend a night or more before and after a cruise due to its close proximity to the cruise port too. My story is - I like to come to Galveston for several days at a time to take in the adventure and beauty of the seaport with the surrounding areas, and just be me. The Harbor House people make it so. I love them and I consider them my friends. I recommend this hotel and the nearby attractions. Nyla G.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have stayed at Harbor House numerous times. It is a lovely hotel and convenient to Strand Historic District. However, this time we experienced a problem that had never come up before.
When checking in, we asked about paying for the room because my friend and I were splitting the bill, and were paying with credit cards. We were told that we would pay at checkout. However, I wasn't told when I gave them my debit card for incidentals that they would place a hold for the room +$25 on my account for up to 10 days! They charged my card for almost $200! Yes, there was a small sign that I noticed that mentioned a $25 hold for incidentals. Yes, I should have read the info carefully, but I also feel that this should have been mentioned when I was specifically asking about payment.
When we checked out, we paid with credit cards that were charged as well. So now the hotel has been paid, plus they are holding $184 for up to 10 days.
In addition, when I called the hotel to ask about this, there was no apology for any misunderstanding. I was told, "We can't just let you stay in our room for a $25 hold." This is not the customer service I would expect from a hotel of this caliber, more from a Motel 6.
When checking in, we asked about paying for the room because my friend and I were splitting the bill, and were paying with credit cards. We were told that we would pay at checkout. However, I wasn't told when I gave them my debit card for incidentals that they would place a hold for the room +$25 on my account for up to 10 days! They charged my card for almost $200! Yes, there was a small sign that I noticed that mentioned a $25 hold for incidentals. Yes, I should have read the info carefully, but I also feel that this should have been mentioned when I was specifically asking about payment.
When we checked out, we paid with credit cards that were charged as well. So now the hotel has been paid, plus they are holding $184 for up to 10 days.
In addition, when I called the hotel to ask about this, there was no apology for any misunderstanding. I was told, "We can't just let you stay in our room for a $25 hold." This is not the customer service I would expect from a hotel of this caliber, more from a Motel 6.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Harbor House, Guest Services / Front Office at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 19 May 2023
bvpaige, Our team strives to make a positive memorable impression for our guests and we not only let you down, we failed to uphold our own expectations. We will share this feedback with our team as it encourages them to adapt to constructive feedback such as this and help improve our processes. We hope you consider staying with us again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
When we decided to go to Galveston, I wanted to stay close to the Strand. Harbor House is *perfect*. You can cover the Strand area from HH with ease - it's only two blocks from my favorite shops. You can park at the hotel for a fee, or you can grab one of the many spots along the streets - we just sucked it up and parked at the hotel. The price wasn't much different than local spots. Some local spots were cheaper, but you'd have to walk a bit.
I must mention Dee. She was at the desk when we checked in and she was so enthusiastic. Very pleasant demeanor, knowledgeable about the area and enthusiastic, Dee set the stage for a wonderful stay.
If you are traveling with small child(ren) this is actually a reasonable place. The room was huge with tile floors and an area rug under the bed, decor was nice and spacious. There was enough room for a king bed and a trundle bed. Very easy for parents and a youngster. The bathroom had a walk-in shower with glass walls. Even on the third floor water pressure was good.
I must mention Dee. She was at the desk when we checked in and she was so enthusiastic. Very pleasant demeanor, knowledgeable about the area and enthusiastic, Dee set the stage for a wonderful stay.
If you are traveling with small child(ren) this is actually a reasonable place. The room was huge with tile floors and an area rug under the bed, decor was nice and spacious. There was enough room for a king bed and a trundle bed. Very easy for parents and a youngster. The bathroom had a walk-in shower with glass walls. Even on the third floor water pressure was good.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â 3rd floor, even number rooms face west if you want to sleep in.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Christine H, Public Relations Manager at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 13 Jan 2020
Thank you for choosing Harbor House for your family trip. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the location and the service. And, it's great that we were only two blocks from your favorite shops. We appreciate your comments and we hope you'll be back this spring break. Thanks again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visit Galveston several times a year and usually stay on the seawall side of the island. Decided to stay on the harbor this time. We will be doing it again! Our room at the Harbor House was clean and spacious and had a great and interesting view of the harbor -- not only of the working ships on the water but also dolphins!! And the location can't be beat. You can walk to great restaurants, shops and galleries. The staff was wonderful and Ms. Dee was a hoot! She made our visit so much fun and made sure we were well taken care of.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Galvez, Guest Services / Front Office at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 21 Dec 2020
Dear Lisam349, thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience at the Harbor House! It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback. I am particularly pleased had a great stay and will be coming again! Thank you for mentioning Dee, we are so lucky to have her on our steam. I will share your comments with our staff, who I am certain will be encouraged by your remarks. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we look forward to serving you in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I just finished my fifth stay at the Harbor House Hotel Galveston on a solo vacation trip of ten days, earlier this month, November 2021. Once again, I was impressed with the hotel staff and the cleanliness they keep. We wore no masks, and they all treated me like a queen as always before. The staff is always friendly, courteous, Professional and helpful. In fact this is one of the big reasons I keep coming back to this hotel while In Galveston. I always feel at home here and we’ll taken care of. The rooms are big and offer great views of the marina and harbor overlooking the North bay with plenty of ships traffic and activities. The nearby restaurants served most of my meals and drinks again, and they have friendly staffs with great food and drinks as well as great indoor and outdoor views of the harbor. It’s very relaxing and it’s fun. There’s plenty of shops to visit in the Downtown area beginning a block away from the hotel in the Historic Strand District aglow with plenty of unique shops, stores and restaurants. There are lots of these within walking distance of each other and the hotel as well as many sidewalk tables and chairs to sit on. There were lots of people out there enjoying the moderate fall weather and sun. I enjoyed strolling and shopping around there. The Harbor House is a great place to stay for cruise passengers coming and going from Galveston too. I hope to make a sixth trip to Galveston and stay at the Harbor House Hotel again.. it’s a rekindled passion of mine, having waited 16 months due to Covid between my 4th and 5th stays there. All the other times were 6-7 months apart, and I am kept by the welcoming staff and beautiful scenery and fun things to do in Galveston. Nyla G.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I learned about this hotel while I was watching YouTube videos on things to do in Galveston. The Harbor House is located at the marina and is a 8 minute drive to the beach. This is the place you want to stay if you are taking a cruise since it is a 2 minute walk away from the ships. My husband and I weren’t going on a cruise, but weren’t happy with any of the reviews regarding the hotels by the beaches. I am so happy we stayed at the Harbor House! Here’s why:
The rooms are large and clean.
Staff all wore mask and were very friendly (more on that later).
It is in walking distance to many stores and restaurants.Starbucks and Jimmy Johns are right across the street. Many seafood restaurants right next door.
The hotel was quiet which made for a good nights sleep.
Conveniently for us many boat tours are practically on their property ( we recommend the Bay watcher $15 dolphin tour). We spent two full days at the beach. The beaches are nice, have rentals and nice warm water. The area along the beach is very active and after seeing the hotels that were close to the beach we are glad we stayed at the Harbor House. A tip: parking across the street from the beach is free east of Pleasure Pier. We never had trouble finding a spot to park. The meters on the same side of the beach are $2 an hour.
More on the staff: Dee and Yolanda are ROCKSTARS! They were so friendly, helpful and some of the nicest people we met on Galveston Island. They happily answered all of our questions and greeted us every time we came in. It almost felt like we were visiting family ❤️. They love what they do and it shows. Whatever they get paid it’s not enough.
The rooms are large and clean.
Staff all wore mask and were very friendly (more on that later).
It is in walking distance to many stores and restaurants.Starbucks and Jimmy Johns are right across the street. Many seafood restaurants right next door.
The hotel was quiet which made for a good nights sleep.
Conveniently for us many boat tours are practically on their property ( we recommend the Bay watcher $15 dolphin tour). We spent two full days at the beach. The beaches are nice, have rentals and nice warm water. The area along the beach is very active and after seeing the hotels that were close to the beach we are glad we stayed at the Harbor House. A tip: parking across the street from the beach is free east of Pleasure Pier. We never had trouble finding a spot to park. The meters on the same side of the beach are $2 an hour.
More on the staff: Dee and Yolanda are ROCKSTARS! They were so friendly, helpful and some of the nicest people we met on Galveston Island. They happily answered all of our questions and greeted us every time we came in. It almost felt like we were visiting family ❤️. They love what they do and it shows. Whatever they get paid it’s not enough.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â In walking distance to restaurants, bars, marina and cruise lines. Always felt safe in this area.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harbor House is THE place to stay before cruising. Check in was fast and easy. Free parking within a few feet of main entrance. Lots of nice restaurants and bars surrounding the hotel, and the pier itself is amazing. We watched the ships returning to port from our window. A huge plus is for $15 a day you can park right across the street and walk to the ports. The rooms are large and very modern. No musky “hotel smell.” If you need a place to stay before cruising, I highly recommend Harbor House.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Harbor House, Guest Services / Front Office at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 29 May 2023
Thank you for recognizing our location is ideal for all cruise travelers! We know you have many choices when traveling and we are incredibly happy you chose to stay with us. We hope to see you soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Decided to get out of town and spent some days in Galveston. Decided to stay at the Harbor House, we usually stay at hotel on Seawall. The hotel is nice, very close to the Strand. Our room was large, but dark and we could never figure out how to work the air conditioner. There was little contact with the staff. As part of their COVID safeguards rooms were only cleaned every three days. We had no problem with this. If this is the policy for the near future the hotel might consider larger trash cans in the rooms. Did not take long to fill the two we had in our room. The hotel was far from full, it would have been nice if they would have waived the daily parking fee. All in all enjoyed our stay and would stay here again..
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Date of stay: November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Galvez, Guest Services / Front Office at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Responded 2 Dec 2020
Dear 510deanr, thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience at the Harbor House! It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback. I am particularly pleased that you found your stay to be enjoyable and that you would stay with us again. I will share your comments with our team, who I am certain will be encouraged by your remarks. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we look forward to serving you in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’m als trying to figure this ou. Anyone have an answer?
Yes. There are several benches in the grassy area to the right of the hotel, several in a covered area and there is a concrete pier area along the water. Being a former smoker, I totally understand your concerns.
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"Check out Willie G’s restaurant. It’s right next door to Harbor House. The catfish platter and pina colada were amazing. "Read full review
"The beds are comfortable.There's a convenience store across the stree in walking distence where you can buy wine, snacks and cruise essentia"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
â‚ą16,907 - â‚ą34,504 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
harbor house hotel galveston, harbor hotel galveston
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Harbor House
LOCATION
United StatesTexasTexas Gulf CoastGalveston IslandGalveston
NUMBER OF ROOMS
42
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingHARBOR HOUSE HOTEL & MARINA AT PIER 21 (Galveston) - Hotel Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21
Which popular attractions are close to Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Nearby attractions include Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum (0.1 km), Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA (0.08 km), and The Strand (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and reduced mobility rooms.
Which room amenities are available at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Yes, paid private parking on-site and paid private parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Conveniently located restaurants include La King's Confectionery, Fisherman's Wharf, and Shark Shack Beach Bar & Grill.
Are there any historical sites close to Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21?
Many travellers enjoy visiting 1892 Bishop's Palace (1.2 km), Moody Mansion (1.2 km), and 1859 Ashton Villa (1.0 km).
Does Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21 have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbour view available here.
Is Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21 accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.