Where to stay on SPI?

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Hotel recommendations? Areas? So many to choose from and a lot of ghetto looking ones. Any help would be appreciated.

SR

tonyb · Fri Jan 14, 11 10:04 am

North end of town is better. None on the bayside you can kite from, most hotels are on Padre Blvd down the middle of town but a couple are on the beach. Beach side is mostly condo's, timeshares, and private houses.

If you want to be close to the beach and close to kiting at the flats go with La Quinta or Hilton Garden Inn. If you need cheap go with Motel 6, Wind Water, Casa Bella or Beach Side hotel.

If you're worried about a specific one let me know and I'll give you my opinion.

Tony

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Hey Tony,

Thanks. Not necessarily looking for dirt cheap (Motel 6, etc) but not high end either. Since my wife is with me, who doesn't kite, is there something close to beach and close to shopping etc.?

Gorge in summer and SPI in winter? Sounds like a nice set up. How long have you been doing that? How do you pull it off? Sounds like what I am planning on doing soon.

Paul

flyin_dutchman · Since 12 Dec 2008 106 Posts LandLocked Stoked

I always stay at TravelLodge and happy with it. It's not always the cheapest, but they have free small Continental breakfast buffet (Coffee, OJ, cereal, waffles, etc.) plus they have even added a nightly lobby Happy Hour from 5:30-7:00 with a beer keg, wine,(supposed to be 2 drinks per person? RIGHT!) nachos and popcorn.

I was just there 2 weeks ago and got a standard room (2 Queen beds, microwave and mini fridge) for $35.99/nt. This was internet special (30% off for 3 night stay), so make sure you check online! Motel 6 was same price, but get alot less.

Room prices on the island vary depending upon week? Holidays they all go up, but you can find some cheap ones just by driving the strip and looking. Might even want to check the other side of the bridge to get cheaper? Worth a try?

tonyb · Sat Jan 15, 11 6:36 am

The Travelodge deal sounds pretty good. It's a nice place, just has a longer walk to the beach.

For shopping and stuff there isn't a lot to choose from. Maybe 10 or 12 T-shirt shops all with the same inventory, two real surf shops, three kiteboarding shops, a few high end boutiques, and a half dozen knick knack shops. 5 or 7 tattoo parlors, a bong store, some sea shells and a bookstore. Smile

Town is pretty small and flat so easy to get around. Free shuttle for getting up and down the island so your wife wont be stuck in the hotel if you take the car to the flats.

Tony

1surfer · Sun Jan 16, 11 3:27 pm **Place**

Phillip Money from Windsurifng inc has some nice places. We rented one named Ricks Place and it was nice , clean, had a pool and was $480 for 8 days.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

la quinta inn or hilton gardens. both on N end, kite out of your door on the ocean, or walk across the street to the Convention Center Beach for flatwater riding.

tell them your a kiter

956 772 7000

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

Had dinner in the Hilton Gardens this fall - very good.
The hotel is brand new and looked like a real nice place.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Super 8. Cheap, hot tub & Pool.Free breakfast. Strong Internet connection.

Shopping is not very good in SPI. Bring a Kindle & buy a beach chair.

Good place to eat: Naturallys, And anyplace that has fresh shrimp. Sushi places are pretty good.

There is a nice golf course on the mainland & they will rent you a set of clubs -

Enjoy.

wylieflyote · Sun Jan 23, 11 5:46 am

Hi Tony,
Your entire family has been awesome here at the LV Classic. Help me with SPI. I'm thinking of driving home from Mexico via Texas, but do you know when the spring breaks show up? Does it ruin SPI for a week or two? I might be there last week of April, first week of May. Travel Lodge with continental breakfast and beer dinner sounds like one stop shopping.
Kip

tonyb · Sun Jan 23, 11 8:50 am

Hi Kip,

Thanks, the kids and everyone have been great! They're making us proud! Chat with Sarah and Shannon as they are planning on taking the ferry across to Mazatlan and driving up across the main part of Mexico to SPI in April.

I haven't checked the calendar but I'm pretty sure it's all done by the third week of March. Spring break is a little nuts but if you stay at the right place and are smart about when you go out to eat it's not bad. Most of the kids are at the south end of the island and middle part of town so stay at the north end in a private house or a little more expensive place.

April and May are good months and still cheap on the island. The Travelodge deal is sounding like the best thing going.

Tony

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

biggest spring break weeks are the second and third weeks of march, week four is still happening, but tapering off

North end of the Island is the chillest, but its all pretty busy

bdpadz · Since 21 Sep 2010 11 Posts

SOUTH PADRE - Beachfront Studio for rent
Great for singles or couple, gulfside, right on the beach. Easy downwinders to the condo. $450 - 630 a week, monthly rates available. http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/11188.html

johndoe · Since 14 Oct 2008 19 Posts

I've been twice and prefer a condo or house rental. There are tons there for cheap, especially if you go after spring break. Ask for a deal cuz it's the off season.
you might want to check out vrbo.com