Holiday Inn Corpus Christi – N Padre Island

Given the location and the price point, the hotel is usually pretty busy with vacationing families and older couples. However, you get what you pay for here, and a cheap beach holiday in this case doesn't necessarily mean a good-value one. The exterior has standard Holiday Inn architecture, just in beachy tones of sand and terracotta. The lobby is basic and functional, with walls in a shade of gold-green and marine-colored tile near the small elevators. Travelers who like a lively pool and bar will appreciate happy hour specials and occasional live music.

Standards of service vary wildly, guests complain, and there's also an issue with a mildew or damp smell in certain parts of the hotel, though that's often the case with waterfront properties. Despite a facelift to the rooms in 2016, which did bring a more contemporary style, maintenance and cleanliness problems also persist. Still, for those with low expectations that simply want an extremely convenient setting for a beach getaway, this is one of the more competitively priced options. 

Guests rave about the location of this hotel, which is right on the beach and a short drive from the center of Corpus Christi. Of course, the best part is being able to walk out the back of the hotel and be right on the sand, though guests should know they'll have to rent or bring their own beach chairs. 

There's not much around the hotel beyond other hotels and a surf shop or two, so a car will be needed to head off-site to restaurants and shops in downtown Corpus Christi. The hotel does have a golf cart rental shop on-site.

Guest rooms received a much-needed update in 2016, which resulted in a contemporary (albeit still generic) design with a beach feel. Most rooms have furnished balconies, and travelers largely agree it's worth upgrading to an ocean-view unit. Rooms are in done in shades of white, tan, and dark brown, with pops of teal on accent walls, drapes, and artwork. However, several past guests have flagged concerns about the cleanliness and maintenance of the rooms, such as insufficient air-conditioning. Amenities are more than sufficient, though, including flat-screen TVs, microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges, plus desks and ironing facilities. Some add sofa beds. Bathrooms come with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and a good array of toiletries. Note that beach towels aren't provided. 

The wide beach is the property's greatest feature, though it's worth noting it can often be plagued with lots of seaweed. Guests can rent beach chairs and a canopy, or bring their own. Unfortunately, there's no outdoor shower to wash off sand before heading back to the room. 

For a Holiday Inn, there's plenty to do on-site beyond the beach. A great outside bar with happy hour specials and live entertainment gathers -- somewhat amazingly -- both guests and locals. There's also a proportionally small pool (compared to the number of guests) and hot tubs, which can feel crowded. Some guests have also complained about noise from the bar reaching rooms. There's a surprisingly large games area with vending machines, a pool table, and arcade machines. A small fitness center has three cardio machines and a rack of free weights. 

One thing to skip is the hotel's Captain Jack's restaurant, which is reportedly subpar. The on-site gift shop sells handy items for the beach (particularly beach towels), and there are also golf cart, beach chair, and boogie board rentals available on-site.