Isla Grand Beach Resort

Isla Grand Beach Resort is a laid-back property set on grassy, palm-fringed grounds that extend from the main road out to the beach, with a high-rise condo building and a second, lower structure where many of the rooms are located. The lobby has a tropical vibe, with a mix of light stone floors and red carpeting, exposed brick walls, and wicker furniture. Giant potted palms and bright tropical art prints add color and vibrancy to the space, as do the lobby's resident macaws. Outdoors is where the action is though, as there are two well-sized pools lined by loungers in vibrant orange, blue, and green hues, plus spots to grab a bite to eat or something to drink. While Isla Grand is particularly popular with vacationers, the hotel also attracts some convention guests due to its large meeting facilities. 

The Isla Grand’s location overlooking the beach on the southern end of the island makes it feel somewhat quieter than hotels in the middle of the hotel sprawl. While it's relatively close to numerous local restaurants and attractions, a car is required to reach them with ease. The hotel is a five-minute drive from Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark and eight minutes from Port Isabel Lighthouse & Museum. South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, Sea Turtle, Inc., Andy Bowie County Park, and the South Padre Island Convention Center can all be found within a 10-minute drive of the resort. The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge takes about 45 minutes to reach by car, and the hotel is just over an hour from the Rio Grande Valley International Airport or just under three hours from Corpus Christi International Airport. 

The Isla Grand Beach Resort offers a mix of hotel rooms and condos, all of which are spacious and comfortable. Located in the main, two-story building, Cabana Rooms feature dated, motel-style decor, with simple light-wood furniture, deep-green carpeting, and tropical bedspreads that look like they were made decades ago. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open to balconies in all units, and some offer direct beach views. However, Cabana Rooms haven’t been renovated in years and are showing wear and tear, including faded carpets and scratched furniture. Past guests have also complained of musty smells in rooms.A separate structure houses the condominiums, the vast majority of which have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as separate living areas with dining tables, furnished balconies, and full kitchens. A four-bedroom condo is also available but needs to be booked directly with the hotel. Condos have much more attractive and contemporary decor overall -- though it varies -- and they're in better shape than Cabana Rooms.Standard amenities found both in rooms and condos include flat-screen TVs (starting at 37 inches), free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, safes, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms are the same across the board, consisting of stone tiling, shower/tub combos (plus a walk-in shower in condos), and Bath & Body Works toiletries set out on granite countertops. Those in Cabana Rooms, however, are starting to feel long in the tooth, with peeling caulking and some moldy spots. 

Amenities at this property include a large lagoon pool with a couple of built-in whirlpool areas, plus a smaller pool with a waterfall feature right next to it. Both are on a pool deck surrounded by lounge chairs and a smattering of umbrellas, with a few gazebos, a seasonal bar serving frozen drinks, and a grill (also seasonal) off to one side. Beyond the pool are four tennis courts, which separate the hotel from the beach. The wide stretch of sand is lined with some lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent and a volleyball net. Back indoors, there's a dated gym with some worn equipment such as treadmills and free weights. Dining options here abound, and include Windjammer's Beachfront Cafe -- a buffet restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and themed nights -- and the Hammerhead Deck, with an international menu, sunset views, and live music a couple of times per week. Starbucks Coffee and light snacks are available at Coffee Hut, while Quarterdeck Bar (seasonal) offers with live music most nights. Room service is also available. A business center is free to use, and there are multiple event spaces, ranging from a small boardroom to the huge Conference Center, with a capacity of 860 guests (the hotel claims that it's the largest on the island). Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort and there's lots of free on-site parking. Kids' activities are available seasonally. Pets are allowed on-site for a nightly fee. Smoking is not permitted.