Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21 — Hotel in Galveston

Harbor House. Where "the customer is always last". If you're looking forward to being berated repeatedly by the front desk associated, and later gossiped about and mocked publicly, then this is the place for you. It was our first time staying there, and we really looked forward to the experience. It was my first vacation since COVID. I asked about parking arrangements 4 times; when we made the reservation, when we checked in, and twice while we were there. We followed the instructions provided. After returning from the cruise, we took our parking ticket to be validated by the front desk who then told me that we had done it wrong, were supposed to have validated the ticket before leaving for the cruise, and would have to pay (again) at the booth which would be "at a much higher rate". Then, rather than focusing on a solution or trying to help, she proceeded to tell me the same thing literally 12 times; that we should have validated the parking ticket before leaving for the cruise. Prior to departure, I don't know what else more or better I could have done to understand the parking situation. And it doesn't make sense that it would make any difference whether the parking ticket is validated before leaving for the cruise or after. In-fact, it makes more sense to validate parking after the cruise to avoid crooks from defrauding the system. If parking is validated before the cruise, then someone could pay for 5 days but park indefinitely. If parking is validated after the cruise, then the system can confirm, you paid for 5 days and used 5 days. But anyway, that wasn't my thinking prior to the cruise. My thinking prior to the cruise was just trying to understand a situation that was new for me so everything would be smooth. But it wasn't. After lecturing me repeatedly, the front desk associate finally asked a guy that works there to pull his car up to the parking ticket machine, and get a new ticket so she could validate that. So, she knew of solutions and could have offered those to me initially but did not. Rather, for some reason she felt it necessary to first blame me and resist providing any help. Anyway, I tried that new ticket, which the parking gate machine just absorbed and the gate didn't raise. So, I had to go back into the office whereupon it was obvious that the front desk associate and guy had been talking about me the whole time out in the small open lobby area where if other hotel guests had gone through would have heard her insulting conversation. Totally unprofessional and completely inappropriate. I asked, "still talking about me?" The answer was obviously yes. Next, the front desk associate suggested that I was additionally at fault for coming back into the Harbor House lobby seeking further assistance rather than contacting the parking service myself (even though there was no parking service person in the booth). She sarcastically barked, "did you contact the parking service; of course not". As if inconveniencing her immensely, she somehow found it within herself to contact the parking service so I could be freed from the lot and finally be on my way. Many hotels have little business card holders at the front desk providing a way to contact their General Manager. I think his name is Marty Miles. But, there was no such accommodation at the hotel, and I find no way to contact him online. So, I'm providing this review as a cautionary note for future travelers. This is one of the worst customer service experiences I've had in several years. And for the $360 price tag of the room and $400 total including parking severely unexpected, and no customer should be treated like this at any price. We will seek other better options for...

Quality is in the details, and the many of the details are now gone that once made this a favorite Galveston get-away. The location is fantastic since we like to be away from the noise of the beach. Being within walking distance of The Strand and cruise terminals, plus private parking for guests is a plus. We have stayed at Harbor House multiple times.

Previously, my rating would have been 5+ stars (LOVED IT!), but I cannot even force myself to give it 4 stars (liked it) now. In my opinion, the charm of the hotel has always been its quaintness with the industrial design. It used to be quiet because it catered primarily to adults because of the lack of a pool and distance from the beach. Originally, the quality could not be topped. But that was because George Mitchell (the original owner) accepted nothing but quality.

It is no longer as well-kept as it was when Mr. Mitchell might happen in for a visit. Breakfast is basic continental items and drinks. Furnishings are basic low-end now and show wear. Lots of chipped paint in the rooms and public areas. The window trim in our room seemed to have paint covering rotten wood. The bathroom shower door hardware and splash guard needed a good cleaning. In fact, the shower door refused to close completely, allowing water to spill onto the floor. Wyndham is not doing a good job of keeping this unique boutique property in the charming condition it deserves. Sad!

Plus, I never have figured out why windows were cut in the wall between the bedroom and bathroom when the hotel was remodeled several years ago. While the windows are frosted for privacy, I didn't like getting woken up by the light from the bathroom during the night or early morning hours. Makes no sense.

I understand the hotel is now focused on cruisers because of it's convenience to the cruise port, but the quality has suffered. It is no longer an...

How disappointing! After loving my stay at the Tremont House, I tried sister-hotel Harbor House and was massively let down. The "gentleman" at the front desk was anything but- no greeting and no information about the hotel or its amenities. (He's received previous poor reviews on other websites I've read.) When I go to my room, I discover it's very humid and not the deluxe king I'd paid for. When I head back down, I was told they "were having mechanical issues, so we had to move some people around." Apparently, there are no kings left and he places me on the 2nd floor, right next to the breakfast room, ice machine, and elevator (woe to the person in Room 215). This room is also hot and humid, despite the thermostat being set to 70 when I walked in the room. I return to the front desk a third time, embarrassed to be seen as such a diva, but at $229/night, I'm looking to get a room similar to the deluxe king I paid for. After huffing and puffing and slamming the cards in to be re-keyed ("It must be a full moon," he grumbles), I try the third room which is even WORSE with its rattling, pitiful AC. Texas summers have apparently broken this hotel. I call Expedia and explain my room was not the one I paid for and their "mechanical issues" have resulted in uncomfortable and certainly non-luxurious conditions. The industrial chic look is modern , but lends itself to smells from the adjoining restaurants and is far too loud. The linens seemed cheap and the bed lumpy, while I sat on the phone with Expedia. Thank goodness their agent was able to issue a full refund. I was so looking forward to this trip away, expecting the same great service and experience as I'd had at Tremont House, but anyone looking for the same chic luxury with impeccable service should stay...