Hotel Galvez & Spa Story Ideas - Revised

Gracing the coast of the Gulf of Mexico since 1911 is the renowned “Queen of the Gulf,” the Hotel Galvez & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel and National Trust Historic Hotel of America. Following the 1900 Storm that devastated Galveston Island, prominent Galveston businessmen raised $1 million to construct the hotel as a symbol of recovery. In the last decade, a multi-million dollar renovation by the current owners has elevated the Galvez to its rightful place as “Queen” on the Gulf coast.

The closest commercial airport to Galveston is Houston’s William P Hobby which is 45 minutes away. Hobby offers daily service via AirTran, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest. Airport shuttle service begins at $35 per person. 

 

v    Hotel Galvez To Celebrate 100^th Anniversary in 2011 with Monthly Events

Hotel Galvez will commemorate its 100^th anniversary with monthly events. Events include unveiling a new Hall of History, a mass wedding vow renewal ceremony for guests who were married at the hotel during its history, a bathing beauty revue and an outdoor classic movie. During the anniversary weekend in June, the hotel plans to host a day of outdoor concerts and activities, followed by a fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Additionally, Gary Cartwright, author of “Galveston – A History of the Island has written a commemorative book in honor of the hotel’s centennial anniversary which will be released in December 2010.

v    Hotel Galvez Renovates Guest Rooms in Preparation for 100^th Anniversary

In preparation for the hotel’s 100^th anniversary in 2011, hotel owner George Mitchell and the Mitchell family plan to replace the Gulf facing windows with operable, divided light windows reminiscent of the hotel’s original design as well as to update all the guest rooms with new furniture, bedding, drapes and flat screen televisions. The hotel has already completed renovations to its second floor guest rooms and seventh and eighth floor suites as well as converted its sixth floor to spa-inspired rooms. Work has begun on the fifth floor and the hotel will begin work on the fourth and third floors in the fall.

 

v    Hotel Galvez Opens 9,736 Square Foot Spa in Lower Level

The Hotel Galvez opened a $6 million, 9,736 square-foot spa with accompanying salon and fitness center in the lower level in March 2008. The Spa at the Hotel Galvez offer a couples’ treatment room for manicures, pedicures, facials and massage services, and is the only hotel spa to offer two Vichy showers, a traditional hydro-therapy tub and a Swiss shower treatment room. The spa is Galveston’s only Kérastase level salon, a distinction only given to approximately 1,000 upscale salons nationwide. Additionally, the spa is the first in Galveston to offer ultrasonic microdermabrasion treatments and four-hands massage. The ultrasonic method uses sound waves to exfoliate the skin.

 

The spa carries Priori and Ling for skin care and Malie Organics and Spa Technologies for body care and aroma as well as Kérastase hair products and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. Between services, guests can unwind indoors or outdoors in the Relaxation Room or Meditation Garden.

v    Hotel Galvez Now Offers Complimentary Wi-Fi and Bicycles

Guests at the Hotel Galvez can now enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and in the lobby. The hotel has added complimentary bicycles for adults to its list of amenities. Guests can check out these sun beach cruisers and helmets through the valet staff. Each bicycle includes a basket or bag for storage and a lock. Galveston’s Seawall Blvd. is the perfect spot for biking. The Seawall is a total of 10.4 miles which is one-third of the Island’s total length and, according to Guinness, it holds the World’s Record for the longest continuous sidewalk. Guests may also enjoy a ride through Galveston’s East End Historic District and historic downtown.

v    Allergen and Germ Free Meeting Rooms

Hotel Galvez & Spa offers Wyndham ClearAir meeting space with the PURE system. The PURE system provides allergen- and germ-free guest and meeting rooms through a seven-step air purification process where 98-100 percent of all viruses and bacteria are eliminated. All room surfaces are treated to remove and hinder contaminants. As part of this process, a tea tree oil cartridge is installed that acts as a natural disinfectant. The hotel offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space in 9 rooms. The PURE system, which is recognized by the FDA as a class II medical device, is the most comprehensive allergy-friendly system in the hospitality industry.  ClearAir sleeping rooms are an optional upgrade. In sleeping rooms, the air is filtered every 15 minutes. 

v    Bernardo’s Introduces Menu Inspired by Namesake

Last summer, Hotel Galvez Executive Chef Jerry Helminski introduced a new menu at Bernardo’s Restaurant to reflect the influences of its namesake – Bernardo de Gálvez. Gálvez, who was born in Málaga, Spain on July 23, 1746, was the Governor of Texas and Louisiana as well as Cuba during the late 1700’s. Helminski has created a new menu that celebrates the Spanish, Cuban and Louisiana influences of Galvez’s life, while continuing to feature local favorites such as fresh Gulf seafood. New dishes include Tomato Gazpacho, Monte Cubano Sandwich and Chili Rubbed Swordfish. 

v    Newly renovated pool and new cabanas

Guests at the Hotel Galvez & Spa can enjoy a newly renovated, heated, eco-friendly saline-treated pool complete with swim-up bar, whirlpool spa, private cabanas and an enhanced pool menu featuring fresh seafood and regional fare. The pool now features antique stone and mosaic glass Italian tiles, and a tile fountain.

The pool area also features hand-woven furniture and cabanas from Spain. Each poolside cabana is furnished with two or four chaise lounges, sun-care products, daily newspaper and a deck of playing cards as well as a refrigerator stocked with water, assorted soft drinks and a fresh fruit plate. Two-guest or four-guest cabanas may be rented for $200 to $300 depending on day of the week and season.  Prices are subject to change.