Harbor House

[jcgld62]

For those of you who have stayed at Harbor House, how far in advance did you book and did you book directly with the hotel or through a 3rd party site? We are leaving on a cruise 3/9/15 and want to make a reservation for the night before. I know that's the beginning of spring break in Texas :eek: but one of the group is a teacher, so this is her vacation. Since it is a small hotel (42 rooms) and it's spring break I want to make sure we get our reservation in early but March is not available for booking on the Wyndam site. It is however available on 3rd party sites. I have read reviews on trip advisor by guests that say they were given undesirable rooms when they book using a 3rd party. In the past I have experienced this as well at other hotels. I also don't like the restrictions of having to pay when you book and no cancellation, etc.

We prefer not to stay on the seawall because we have stayed there many times. Suggestions???

[ssb]

For those of you who have stayed at Harbor House, how far in advance did you book and did you book directly with the hotel or through a 3rd party site? We are leaving on a cruise 3/9/15 and want to make a reservation for the night before. I know that's the beginning of spring break in Texas :eek: but one of the group is a teacher, so this is her vacation. Since it is a small hotel (42 rooms) and it's spring break I want to make sure we get our reservation in early but March is not available for booking on the Wyndam site. It is however available on 3rd party sites. I have read reviews on trip advisor by guests that say they were given undesirable rooms when they book using a 3rd party. In the past I have experienced this as well at other hotels. I also don't like the restrictions of having to pay when you book and no cancellation, etc.

We prefer not to stay on the seawall because we have stayed there many times. Suggestions???

 

Consider Tremont downtown and Moody Gardens on bay then.

Moody would be total different experience .

HH has been completely renovated .

Tremont is a European style in same downtown area as HH

Moody has a lot of tourist things to do .

Edited August 4, 2014 by ssb

[Galveston Cruiser]

We toured HH after the upgrade, but prior to re-opening.

The rooms are all basically the same, some larger than others, but no great difference as each has a view of the harbor. Again, some better than others.

HH is a good location with 5 restaurants within a block of each other and a block to the Strand.

[jcgld62]

Thanks for the info. We looked at Tremont, and March is open for booking through Wyndam, but HH fits our budget a little easier. We will definitely choose one of the two as we are set on staying in that area.

 

Another question, are all of the downtown restaurants, shops, etc open on Sundays? I haven't been there in years. Even tho I always spent some time downtown I stayed on the seawall or Moody because I would have my son with me, but now it's just a group of middle aged single women and we are looking forward to walking around the Strand area Sunday.

[Clarea]

If you are trying to reserve HH for one night on the weekend, that may the the problem with lack of availability. They normally require a minimum 2 night weekend stay.

[jcgld62]

If you are trying to reserve HH for one night on the weekend, that may the the problem with lack of availability. They normally require a minimum 2 night weekend stay.

 

It's a Sunday night, I'm not sure if that's considered the weekend or not.

I emailed the hotel a couple weeks ago and they confirmed that they do not have the booking rates open that far in advance. The email said they would forward my question to customer relations but I never heard anything more. I can reserve one night using a 3rd party website I just don't know if that's the best way to go.

[Clarea]

It's a Sunday night, I'm not sure if that's considered the weekend or not.

I emailed the hotel a couple weeks ago and they confirmed that they do not have the booking rates open that far in advance. The email said they would forward my question to customer relations but I never heard anything more. I can reserve one night using a 3rd party website I just don't know if that's the best way to go.

I believe it's Friday and Saturday nights they consider weekend nights.

 

Also, just because it shows availability on the 3rd party website, does not mean the booking will be successful. I've thought the same thing several times, enetered all my credit card info, and click to confirm the booking, and then get some error message that the booking could not be completed.

Edited August 4, 2014 by clarea

[jcgld62]

Also, just because it shows availability on the 3rd party website, does not mean the booking will be successful. I've thought the same thing several times, enetered all my credit card info, and click to confirm the booking, and then get some error message that the booking could not be completed.

 

Oh, thanks for that info! I've had good and bad experiences using 3rd party booking sites and don't really want to take a chance. I will probably just stalk the Wyndam website and hopefully get in there before they're all booked up. We do have a backup room booked that we can cancel.

[Galveston Cruiser]

Only Friday and Saturday are considered weekend nights.

Sunday should not be a problem.

I believe you will love the location of Harbor House with its proximity to the Strand and many restaurants.

Everything will be open on Sunday - shops close at 6pm.

[jonbgd]

We toured HH after the upgrade, but prior to re-opening.

.

 

Someone jus opened the door and let you in

At least that is what my story is:p

 

 

To The OP

Weve stayed at the HH I think there is a 5 month booking window

.

First time we Booked thru 3rd party and was able to get Saturday night:confused: just got lucky because we have also had the error msg that CLAREA mentioned

 

The second time was for a Sunday.We booked directly with hotel and used my military discount for a great price $89

They also offer AAA discount

 

You can get up early and watch the Magic come in like we di with the Triumph

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=35503630&postcount=27

In that thread I did a review with lots of photos

Weve been trying to stay there again, post remodel, so I can update the room photos.

Maybe next month

 

Also here is their direct website

http://www.harborhousepier21.com/

Edited August 4, 2014 by jonbgd

[Galveston Cruiser]

Someone jus opened the door and let you in

 

At least that is what my story is:p

 

 

 

 

 

To The OP

 

Weve stayed at the HH I think there is a 5 month booking window

 

.

 

First time we Booked thru 3rd party and was able to get Saturday night:confused: just got lucky because we have also had the error msg that CLAREA mentioned

 

 

 

The second time was for a Sunday.We booked directly with hotel and used my military discount for a great price $89

 

They also offer AAA discount

 

 

 

You can get up early and watch the Magic come in like we di with the Triumph

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=35503630&postcount=27

 

In that thread I did a review with lots of photos

 

Weve been trying to stay there again, post remodel, so I can update the room photos.

 

Maybe next month

 

 

 

Also here is their direct website

 

http://www.harborhousepier21.com/

 

 

You were with us! We did ask permission to go in!!!

Edited August 4, 2014 by Galveston Cruiser

[jcgld62]

Thanks so much jonbgd! Tremont just came open last week so i'm hoping HH will be soon. We watched Triumph come up the Mississippi a few years ago when she was late getting into port and we recorded it through the window of our room at Harrahs.

[jonbgd]

You were with us! We did ask permission to go in!!!

I thought we were there;)

Thanks so much jonbgd! Tremont just came open last week so i'm hoping HH will be soon. We watched Triumph come up the Mississippi a few years ago when she was late getting into port and we recorded it through the window of our room at Harrahs.

Your welcome. Good luck

It is so cool watching the cruise ships come in, knowing you will be onboard them in a few hours:D

[SRV FAN]

Someone jus opened the door and let you in

At least that is what my story is:p

 

 

To The OP

Weve stayed at the HH I think there is a 5 month booking window

.

First time we Booked thru 3rd party and was able to get Saturday night:confused: just got lucky because we have also had the error msg that CLAREA mentioned

 

The second time was for a Sunday.We booked directly with hotel and used my military discount for a great price $89

They also offer AAA discount

 

You can get up early and watch the Magic come in like we di with the Triumph

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=35503630&postcount=27

In that thread I did a review with lots of photos

Weve been trying to stay there again, post remodel, so I can update the room photos.

Maybe next month

 

Also here is their direct website

http://www.harborhousepier21.com/

 

Hi! Quick question.... You say you booked thru the hotel directly & got a discounted rate.... when I go to their website, there are no options as to "special rates".... did you call them or book it online?

 

THANKS!

[jonbgd]

Hi! Quick question.... You say you booked thru the hotel directly & got a discounted rate.... when I go to their website, there are no options as to "special rates".... did you call them or book it online?

 

THANKS!

 

We called direct.

 

We also went by there sunday and talked to the front desk about our upcoming cruise and trying to get a sat night stay.

He said no for now, but if we call a couple days prior, we might be able to get one

 

So for Sunday night, the price online was $179, the price at the hotel was $149 for AAA discount

[SRV FAN]

We called direct.

 

 

 

We also went by there sunday and talked to the front desk about our upcoming cruise and trying to get a sat night stay.

 

He said no for now, but if we call a couple days prior, we might be able to get one

 

 

 

So for Sunday night, the price online was $179, the price at the hotel was $149 for AAA discount

 

 

Thanks!

 

We were able to book a Sat night. Online or directly thru the hotel. The rate was the same $249!! We are a couple of months out from our cruise. When I asked about booking just Sat night, she said they require two nites minimum... But I told her you can book only one nite online... So she looked agian & said yes, you are correct. So we got one night. But, I guess I'm basically paying the same price as for two nites based on what you paid.

 

No worries... We "were" staying in Houston for about $100 less, but after being on the island last weekend & leaving on Sunday... We saw the traffic nightmare coming into the island & I decided we'd better stay Sat night before our cruise in Galveston! It's worth the extra $$ to me to be able to wake up & take my time getting to the ship vs all the stress of worrying if we'll make it to the ship on time or AT ALL! Yikes!

 

Thanks again!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Bimmie Girl]

For those of you who have stayed at Harbor House, how far in advance did you book and did you book directly with the hotel or through a 3rd party site? We are leaving on a cruise 3/9/15 and want to make a reservation for the night before. I know that's the beginning of spring break in Texas :eek: but one of the group is a teacher, so this is her vacation. Since it is a small hotel (42 rooms) and it's spring break I want to make sure we get our reservation in early but March is not available for booking on the Wyndam site. It is however available on 3rd party sites. I have read reviews on trip advisor by guests that say they were given undesirable rooms when they book using a 3rd party. In the past I have experienced this as well at other hotels. I also don't like the restrictions of having to pay when you book and no cancellation, etc.

We prefer not to stay on the seawall because we have stayed there many times. Suggestions???

 

We have stayed at HH 3 times now and love the location. They also allowed us to leave our car there for the week. HH is also owned by the same people as the Tremont Hotel and Hotel Galvez. (you can use the Galvez shuttle to go to and from and all walk to the top of the Tremont to have a drink, very nice) We stayed at Galvez on our last cruise because of HH being under renovation. I booked Galvez online and then called the hotel about leaving our car there for the week and they had a special stay and cruise rate that included the valet, overnight parking and the parking for the week of the cruise. They shuttled us to and from the port. This was for the same price as booking just a room on line. We would of had to pay for everything seperatly. We would not have gotten that deal had I not called to ask a question. I was able to cancel the online booking.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Bimmie Girl

[jcgld62]

We have stayed at HH 3 times now and love the location. They also allowed us to leave our car there for the week. HH is also owned by the same people as the Tremont Hotel and Hotel Galvez. (you can use the Galvez shuttle to go to and from and all walk to the top of the Tremont to have a drink, very nice) We stayed at Galvez on our last cruise because of HH being under renovation. I booked Galvez online and then called the hotel about leaving our car there for the week and they had a special stay and cruise rate that included the valet, overnight parking and the parking for the week of the cruise. They shuttled us to and from the port. This was for the same price as booking just a room on line. We would of had to pay for everything seperatly. We would not have gotten that deal had I not called to ask a question. I was able to cancel the online booking.

 

 

Thanks for the information! I can book HH on a 3rd party website now for less than what I have Comfort Inn & Suites booked for but I' holding out to book direct. Hopefully March reservations will be open soon and rooms will still be available at the same rate. I'm a little concerned about all the shops and stuff closing at 6pm since we will be there on a Sunday night but maybe there'll still be plenty of things to see and do in the area.

I know the seawall area will be covered up with spring breakers! :eek: