this is a follow-up to "I wanna sit on a beach..." Lots of great places in FL, but we can fly to the Corpus area much cheaper. My next problem is hotels. Most of them are older, 1-2 star hotels. I'm not looking for a 5 star experience or anything, but has anyone actually STAYED at a hotel either in Corpus, Port Aransas, or Aransas Pass? There's a nice Omni hotel in Corpus, but it's not on the beach, it's on the marina. Does this make a big difference? Is it OK to just drive the mile up to the beach? Do I need a rental car even if we stay on the beach? I've NEVER been to corpus or aransas, so I'm looking for someone with some inside knowledge. Thanks!
I would definitley stay on the island. Port Royal is very nice but expensive. I have stayed at the Omni in Corpus for a wedding and it was nice but again would definitley stay on the island. I would get a rental car. If you have other questions let me know. I used to live real close to Corpus.
If you are looking for a resort type hotel look up the resorts on mustang island. They are all on the beach. I stayed twice at Port Royal when I was in high school. It was VERY nice, but that was several years ago. It also has like 5-6 swimmin pools that are all linked together. I would definitely recommmend it. I grew up on Padre Island and would not recommend the "beach" in the city of Corpus Christi. Of course, there are tons of things to do in Corpus though. I would check out the aircraft carrier that you can tour and the aquarium. Also there are the T-heads and the sea wall that are kindof neat to see if you are from a landlocked city :). Don't miss eating at Black Diamond Oyster bar in Flour Bluff(on the way to the island). It is AWESOME. George Bush Sr. names it as one of his favorites, but I ate there LONG before that and it is one of the best.
Have a great time!
I've just returned from a "Girls Only" weekend in Corpus. I have a friend who has a condo right on the beach on the island. While this particular complex does not rent out, she often reminisces about staying at Island House when her kiddos were small and her parents were in the condo. Island House is right on the beach on the island. It has both a baby pool and a larger pool. While, I've personally never stayed there, my friend who has, just loved it (and she is a native of Corpus). There were also other hotels on the island -- a Holiday Inn, which was right on the beach and next door to our complex. You do want to stay on the island in Corpus and you will need a rental to get from the airport to there. I'm not sure where the marina is; but, I do know there is a "beach" in Corpus city proper. My friend says that's definitely where not to stay. If you do go to Corpus and stay on the island, there are several really good places to eat that are so very casual -- Snoopy's, Doc's, Italian House, there is a local pizza place on the island that will deliver, as well.
Have a great trip!
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach. I guess it was the marina, but it felt very nice. There was a big jump thing in the water that we paid a little for and the kids swam out and bounced away. It was very relaxing. Price was reasonable and easy to get to other things to see from there.
