we are Interval Intl members, and thinking of trying to exchange to Galveston island sometime so on this visit we looked at the two timeshares listed. Escapes! is quite a way from most of the town (at 9 mile road), and 70% of it is being renovated to turn it into a Holiday Inn property (I think still a timeshare). There were no rooms available but we toured a unit and looked at the beach and pool area. It all looks good.

We bought the Groupon deal and used it right away on October 23rd. Construction isn't too bad right now but it's about to pick up. Overheard staff talking about major renovations beginning very soon, like within the week. If you are booking in November, be prepared to deal with noise and workers. Had a great stay. Wonderful location and well layed out space. So nice to walk right out to the beach. Ice maker turned off in refrigerator when we got here so if you want an iced drink buy ice before you get here. No ice maker on property. Another guest was leaving same time I went to get ice and said he was doing the same thing. Also, be prepared to check out early. Groupon says that check out is 11am but the desks wants you to check out at 10am.

We arrived at this hotel in late September, and were greeted at the door with a sign "Pardon our dust". The information at check-in confirmed that there were major renovations in progress since before we had made our reservations in August, and thus management had not informed their booking agencies that the facilities would be limited and noisey. Two diesel powered "cherry-pickers" were in operation during the day (except Sunday) which completely drowned out the sounds of the nearby surf.

This facility is U-shaped which focuses the noise in the pool area. The western leg of the U is actually behing a public beach falcillity. The first night we had a room on the second floor inside the U near the corner. The view of the beach was quite limited and the noise from the pool area contunued past 11 pm. Management was able to move us to a more beachfront room for the second night, and the experience was more postive similar to the other reviews until the diesels kicked off at 8:15 the following morning.

We had chosen this hotel due to its beach front location and were hoping for a relaxing beach vacation. We would only recommend staying here again if were could confirm the room location at reservation time and that there were no renovations in progress.

I loved our stay here. The only negative I had was the amount of seaweed that they had not cleaned from the beach. It is close enough to downtown to where you don't feel the drive and far enough away not to deal with all the trafic. It was quiet and beautiful.