Pearl South Padre

Pearl South Padre is a large-ish resort set in a cream-hued building between the main road and the Gulf of Mexico. The lobby is pleasantly homey, with low ceilings, recessed lighting, and plenty of plush sofas and chairs, most in hues of periwinkle, cream, and navy. Potted plants liven up the space and a large set of windows opposite the reception desk looks out over lush foliage. Most guests are vacationers, and the resort attracts lots of families with kids. 

The towering Pearl South Padre is the first building most people will notice when they cross onto the island from mainland Texas via the Queen Isabela Causeway. Its location on the southern end of the island makes it somewhat quieter than other options in the middle of the hotel sprawl. While it's close to local restaurants and attractions, a car is necessary -- even getting to the main road requires a seven-minute walk up the hotel's driveway. From the hotel, it's a 15-minute walk (or a five-minute drive) to Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark and an eight-minute drive to Port Isabel Lighthouse & Museum. It takes just over 10 minutes by car to get to the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, Sea Turtle, Inc., and the South Padre Island Convention Center. It's about a 45-minute drive to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The Rio Grande Valley International Airport is around an hour away. 

This hotel offers three types of rooms and three types of condos. Deluxe and Premier Rooms measure 282 square feet (26 square meters), while Executive Parlor Suites measure 440 square feet (41 square meters), affording them enough space to add little extras such as living rooms with sleeper sofas and microwaves. Room decor is pleasant and bright, with tile floors, beige walls, light-wood furniture, and pops of color in the form of bed runners and decorative wall prints. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, irons and ironing boards, and balconies with full or partial sea views and simple furniture. Bathrooms are plain, with shower/tub combos, and basic toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Condos all have kitchens and living rooms and range from one-bedroom units that measure around 675 square feet (63 square meters), clear up to three-bedroom units that measure 1,450 square feet (135 square meters). Decor in these units varies drastically, so it's hard to know exactly which condo you'll get. 

This resort offers all sorts of amenities, many of which are geared toward relaxation, and it's right on the beach, with a few lounge chairs and parasols for guests. At the heart of the resort is a huge lagoon-style pool with lots of lounge chairs and a smaller section with a wade-up pool bar. Plus, there's a separate smaller pool just for kids which features a frog slide. There's also a kids' camp here for guests ages 5 to 11 with all sorts of amenities for young ones, but it's only open during summer break. For adults, there's the luxe Sapphire Spa, which offers massages, wraps, and facials along with beauty services such as haircare and mani/pedis. There's also a small fitness center with cardio machines and a rack of free weights. The hotel can arrange all sorts of outdoor activities, including beach volleyball, parasailing, and horseback riding.The hotel's main restaurant, Beachside Bar & Grill, serves steak and seafoods, with weekly specials including a Sunday brunch and seafood buffets on Friday. Karaoke nights are held twice a week. There's also a poolside bar and restaurant, Palapa, but it's only open seasonally. Room service is also available. For business travelers and wedding planners, the hotel offers nine event spaces, including a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests. There's also a business center, a lobby gift shop, hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and covered and uncovered self-parking. Valet parking is also available, for a fee. Small pets are welcome for a fee. Note that a resort fee covers the Wi-Fi and self-parking.