The Flagship Hotel Over the Water

It's old. The elevator's semi-scary (take the stairs). If you have noisy neighbors, you will hear them. Don't even waste your time going down to "breakfast."

However, the staff is helpful and friendly. The rooms are big, clean, and don't smell musty or beachy at all, despite the fact that this hotel is on the beach. The price was good, too, compared to other Galveston hotels.

I stayed here my entire time in Galveston because its location on the seawall is unbeatable. The good beaches for swimming and hanging out are just a couple minute's walk away.

Also, every room here has a balcony with a gorgeous view down the gulf coast.

Don't expect luxury; this is not that kind of motel. But as an economy traveler, I had a much better experience here than I have at most places I stay.

If you're on a budget, don't hesitate to stay here! You will be pleased with your choice.

Honestly I've never stayed at this hotel but the reviews I've read don't make me wanna stay! Even though the veiw is great i still wouldn't enjoy being attacked by bugs. The elevator sounds like a death trap, the rooms DISCUST me. I'm glad I looked at the reviews!

Oh my god, where do I start.

Upon entering the hotel 6/5/2008 the air wasn't working in the lobby so they had two box window fans blowing on us the sweaty, and frustrated, crowd of people waiting to be checked in to our nightmare by the two understaffed front desk workers. Finally after waiting in line for 45 min sweating, I was finally given our room keys and directed to the scary death trap they called elevators. After jerking our way up to the 5th floor and praying all the way that we don't get stuck in this musty, button missing, four person maximum cage of an elevator we finally arrived to the 5th floor. To again a musty out dated hallway with old carpeting that lead us to our room. Upon opening the door my heart sank! What I saw made me very disappointed and mad. The carpet was matted and very old, the beds didn't look fresh, the wall pictures were old and cheesy, the walls and ceiling were stained with god knows what and needed to be repainted, the bathroom sink leaked, the tub was nasty and looked like it hadn't been cleaned from the last guest, the shower curtain was a health hazard saturated with fungus. I attempted to phone the front desk but after looking at the phone receiver and noticing all the build up of ear wax and dirt I opted to go in person to ask for a different room or refund. We were given a room on the 2nd floor and the same identical thing applied there as well. YUCK...nasty room! However, the view was awesome. I decided to search for a hotel elsewhere so I flipped out my laptop and what'll you know the only WIFI service is in the lobby area another inconvenience that was not mentioned on the website. I searched for over 3 hours looking for available hotel rooms on the island to no avail. Reluctantly we stayed that night to enjoy the only thing the hotel had to offer which was the view of the ocean from the balcony. Our second night the water bugs invaded our balcony (at least 20-30 of them) and shortly made their way to our room. I phone the front desk to ask to send someone to remove them and they sent a guy who only defense of removal was a damn can of Lysol. I asked him to find something more efficient in removing these bugs from the balcony so he comes back with a broom. He sweeps several into the ocean but didn't remove them all. I asked him to get the rest and he said mama "I get off at 10:00pm and it's 10:45pm" and left the broom behind for me to do. I really wanted to sit and enjoy the balcony so I personally freed the balcony of these bugs. Frustrated and disappointed about this entire experience I decided to take a walk out to the pier to clear my thoughts. Upon returning to the room it seemed that the bugs had somehow invaded the inside now. They were on the floor and dresser and the walls. That was the last straw, we couldn't take it any longer and hauled ass out of this nightmare around 2:30am. The roaches literally ran us out. The front desk clerk was nice enough to give us our $160.00 back for the night.

Inclosing, my family and I were so excited about this hotel, the uniqueness of staying over the ocean was supposed to be phenomenal and it was sooooooo disappointing. The Flagship was all of every negative comment mentioned. I WISH I had of taken the advice of others and saved my money and energy. Yes, the view is breathtaking but what you'll have to put up with is not worth checking into this seemingly hole in the wall. Please, don't be like me and ignore the bad reviews you'll kick yourself. Save your money and check in to a different hotel and view the ocean from afar.

Rooms were clean & with average bedding. The rooms were of fairly large size.The location is the best part being over the water & right on the beach. Peir at the end, you can fish all night for a small fee. Close to many shops & resturaunts. The one inside never seemed to be open??

Our group had two adjoining rooms which was convenient for us. The rooms were not that clean though, and a big water bug was on wall over one of the beds. The hotel is old and rundown, but sitting on balcony over the water was fun. The best part of our stay was the bellman named Victor. He was so nice to us, and gave us advice about what to do and see in Galveston, and some history of the hotel....he was really very funny. Would go stay there again to see and listen to him again.

The only thing good about this hotel was the view. The elevators were sounded like they were about to fall apart, but the worst thing was the roaches. I was scared they would crawl in my sons ears at night, they were crawling on the nightstand, headboard, floor, everywhere. If you go here, don't forget your bug spray.