Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Port Aransas / Beach Area

In terms of aesthetic, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Aransas meets expectations -- it feels like a chain hotel -- and things are clean, bright, and in reasonably decent condition. The breakfast area is a big, open room that feels a bit like a cafeteria, but large windows and high ceilings bring light into the space. The ocean-scene mural above the buffet reminds guests that this is a place of relaxation and beach fun.

The Holiday Inn has a business center and a conference room, but the hotel mainly attracts vacationers. The beach is within walking distance and there’s a pool on-site. The pool area is well designed, with a curved-L shape and a shallow kids’ area. Elevated palm trees and a small rock fountain beautify the scene, as does the red-brown tile patio. The pool is larger than typical for a hotel of this kind, but still has the potential to feel overrun during the peak season. Guests staying in rooms off the pool may also be bothered by the noise.

The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Port Aransas, the only established town on Mustang Island, which is one of the longest barrier islands along Texas’ coast. There are plenty of restaurants around and it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the beach. Mustang Island State Park is about a 15-minute drive southwest, while getting to Corpus Christi will take around 45 minutes.

With light wood furniture and mustard bed scarves, the rooms are decorated like any chain hotel’s, but they are large and clean. Standard units come with two queen beds or a king bed and sofa, in addition to a flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. Upgrading to a suite gets you a separate bedroom and living room and much more counter space with the microwave and fridge. Like the rooms, bathrooms are plain but sizable and dirt-free. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi and include workspaces -- either with a desk or a table, and chairs.

Beyond convenient beach access, the hotel provides free buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi throughout the building. In addition to the pool, there’s a small fitness center with two treadmills and a stationary bike. A small business center is on hand as well.