Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Corpus Christi

The Hawthorn Suites may sit right beside one of Corpus Christi’s busiest highways, but it’s tucked away from the service road, and palm tree-lined grounds help to cut traffic noise and give the hotel a slightly more secluded vibe. The entrance includes nice decorative touches, such as a pretty fountain, and the lobby's small aquarium and high ceilings make it feel bright and spacious. The lobby also has a small bar area, where a lively weekday happy hour takes place. Nonetheless, the Hawthorn Suites still has the feel of a low to mid-range chain hotel: The decor is dated (from the lobby to the rooms), and though amenities (and freebies) are relatively extensive, they do not go above and beyond.

The Hawthorn Suites is well-located for those seeking a middle ground between downtown Corpus Christi’s cultural and historical attractions and the Padre Island beaches. It attracts both leisure and business travelers looking for a convenient location and a hotel with a solid value. Guests may appreciate the hotel's proximity to stores such as Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club; rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges and suites have full kitchens, so guests often save money by eating in. For those who want to eat out, there is a Luby’s next door and several fast-food joints in the area.

The Hawthorn Suites features all the usual amenities of a budget chain hotel, including a decent fitness center. The outdoor pool is particularly attractive compared to those at similarly-priced hotels in the area, with pretty tile details and an attached Jacuzzi surrounded by water treatments, and business-friendly amenities include a business center and a large meeting space, which can be hard to come by at a value hotel. However, guests may consider comparing rates with the nearby Holiday Inn before booking as its rooms feature modern decor and large flat-screen TVs. Its indoor pool can't compare to the one at the Hawthorn Suites, but guests of the Holiday Inn can use the outdoor pool at the Staybridge Suites across the street.

Conveniently located in the urban sprawl occupying the space between downtown Corpus Christi and the beaches of Padre Island to the southwest of town, the Hawthorn Suites’ location is good for those wanting to explore both sides of the spectrum and save a bit of money at the same time. Cultural attractions are relatively close by, though there’s nothing within walking distance save for a few chain restaurants.

• 15-minute-drive to Corpus Christi International Airport
• 13-minute-drive to Water Street Market
• 15-minute-drive to American Bank Center (Convention Center)
• 15-minute-drive to Corpus Christi Marina
• 15-minute-drive to Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History
• 15-minute-drive to Art Museum of South Texas
• 15-minute-drive to USS Lexington Museum
• 15-minute-drive to Texas State Aquarium
• 18-minute-drive to South Texas Botanical Gardens
• 30-minute-drive to Mustang Island State Park
• 47-minute-drive to Port Aransas Beach

The rooms at the Hawthorn Suites are pretty drab, and do not appear as if they've been updated for a while. Beds are comfy enough, and large work desks are convenient for business travelers, but busy carpets, a lack of lighting, tired striped sofas, plastic plants, and tube TVs give the rooms an overall dated feel.

Rooms come equipped with wet bars that include sinks, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers set on pink granite counters. The same granite is used in the bathrooms, which have shower/tub combos and spacious vanities with stools. The more spacious suites have separate living room areas as well as full kitchens equipped with glassware, dishware, utensils, pots and pans, stovetops, dishwashers, and full-size refrigerators.

The rooms at the nearby Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites are decidedly nicer than those at the Hawthorn: Both feature fresh decor and modern amenities, and studios and suites at the Staybridge include full kitchens, so guests may consider comparing prices before booking.

• Comfortable beds
• Old tube TVs
• Coffeemakers
• Free Wi-Fi
• Rooms have wet bars with microwaves and mini-fridges.
• Suites have full kitchens and separate living rooms.
• Full kitchens come fully stocked and have stovetops, full-size refrigerators and dishwashers.

The swimming pool at the Hawthorn is small but attractively decorated with pretty tiles and whimsical tile art featuring red crabs, blue dolphins, and swimming sea turtles. The Jacuzzi is separated from the pool by a fountain water treatment, and potted plants and lounge chairs dot the patio area. The pool sits next to a parking lot, but high walls help to protect the area from too much noise, and it certainly bests the indoor pool at the nearby Holiday Inn Express.

The fitness center at the Hawthorn is small, and does not include any weight-lifting equipment. However, for a hotel of this price range and size, it suffices. The fitness center at the Holiday Inn Express is slightly more spacious, but offers a similarly limited range of equipment.

• Five cardio machines, including a treadmill and two bikes
• One small tube TV
• Water and towels provided

The Hawthorn Suites attracts families on a budget, looking for proximity to both downtown Corpus Christi's sights and Padre Island's beaches. The full kitchens in the suites make it convenient for families to eat in, and cribs are available in all rooms. Plus, one-bedroom suites include pull-out sofas, and plenty of the guests' children enjoy splashing around in the pool.

• Free breakfast served daily in a dedicated area in the lobby
• Breakfast buffet includes cereals, milk, yogurt, juices, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, and waffles
• Vending machines for sodas and snacks by the fitness center
• Several restaurants nearby; Luby’s and Dairy Queen are within walking distance

One of the hotel's most popular freebies is the weekday happy hour, which takes place at the bar in the lobby. Guests are served drinks and bar snacks.

• Laundry facilities
• Dry-cleaning services
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
• Free parking

Hawthorn Suites is a solid business hotel, not only due to its location just off the highway, but also because of its business-friendly amenities.

• Spacious meeting room includes a podium, a projector, and coffee service
• Business center has two computers, a printer, and writing supplies
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel

• Entrance is wheelchair-accessible
• King Bed Accessible Suites feature bathroom rails and showers with safety bars
• Brailed elevator is located near handicap-accessible rooms