La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham South Padre Island Beach

La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Island is a budget chain hotel occupying a four-story building painted in the chain's signature golden-yellow. Interiors are simple and a tad dated, with lots of granite accents, basic tiled floors, and vinyl seating throughout. The lobby is basic, with wood-like floors, a big reception area full of high bar tables with stools, and merchandise from the hotel gift shop spilling into the area where guests check in. Of course, most guests spend their time on-site hanging out poolside at the Lookout bar or at the adjacent sunning deck, which offers unobstructed sea views. The hotel is popular with budget-conscious business and leisure travelers, including lots of families.

The La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Beach is located right on the coast on the northern end of the island, making it feel somewhat quieter than hotels in the middle of the hotel sprawl. However, it's next door to Clayton's Beach Bar, a popular spot with music that can be heard from the La Quinta. It's also close to local restaurants, and a handful are within walking distance right along the beach. Similar to other areas of South Padre Island, a car is needed to get around with ease, and potential guests should be aware that any of the walking distances below involve walking across and/or along a busy road without sidewalks.

Andy Bowie County Park, the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, and Sea Turtle, Inc. are all about four minutes away by foot, while getting to South Padre Island Convention Center takes just a couple of minutes longer. It's an 11-minute drive to Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, a 12-minute-drive to Port Isabel Lighthouse & Museum, and just under an hour to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Rio Grande Valley International Airport takes just over an hour to reach by car, traffic permitting. 

This hotel offers 147 rooms, many with small balconies offering partial or full sea views. Cream-colored tile floors and patterned curtains in green and red hues make rooms feel a tad old, but decor is overall pleasant and contemporary, especially for a budget hotel. Expect black-and-white photo prints in dark frames, dark-wood headboards with black-and-white accents on the bedding, and brown upholstered seating. Units are outfitted with either two queen beds or one king, and there are several room categories that add a dark faux-leather sleeper sofa. Pillow-top mattresses are available in all units.

Amenities are similar across the board and include 32-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, microwaves, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Some have jetted tubs right in the rooms. Clean, simple bathrooms have beige walls and floors, spacious sink areas with wooden vanities, large mirrors, and shower/tub combos. Basic toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

This La Quinta offers a good range of amenities. The heated outdoor pool here is particularly pleasant, with ocean views and lots of loungers, and there's a second long splash pool with a fountain feature for kids. A bar, The Lookout, sits in a covered pavilion off to one side. Just beyond the pool is a large patio looking out over the beach with red-brick flooring and tons of lounge chairs, ideal or those who'd rather avoid getting sand in their shoes but still want to sunbathe. There's also a small fitness center with a couple of treadmills and a weight-training machine, plus a bar with basic snacks and drinks. For business travelers, the hotel offers a small business center with a couple of Mac desktop computers, plus meeting space for up to 350 guests. Wi-Fi is free. Other facilities include a shop selling gifts, snacks, and sundries; coin-operated laundry facilities, and free on-site parking. All room rates include a free, well-reviewed breakfast with waffles, coffee, baked goods, and made-to-order omelets, but there's no restaurant for lunch and dinner. Dogs are welcome for a daily fee (weight restrictions apply).