With its coastal location
and proximity to the Mexican border, the city of Corpus
Christi is a vacation hub teeming with opportunities to enjoy the sun,
sand and exceptionally warm climate. Dominated by a vast amount of sunny days
throughout the year, visitors to this Sparkling City by the Sea enjoy outdoor
activities such as fishing,
windsurfing,
sailing
and golfing
while others come for its many museums
or the annual celebration known as Buccaneer
Days. There are also two barrier islands, Padre Island and Mustang Island,
that are crowd favorites.
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Bayside
Downtown Corpus Christi 1 |
Yet no matter the budget
or reason for staying, the city offers plenty of accommodation
options that are able to suit many needs. From hotels
and motels
to vacation
homes and RV
Parks, Corpus Christi is dotted with accommodations throughout the city.
The more popular lodging districts include the airport area and the downtown
core.
USEFUL ACCOMMODATION
LINKS FOR CORPUS CHRISTI
IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN
With its many shops,
restaurants,
nightclubs
and attractions,
downtown Corpus Christi is truly the tourist heart of the city. The downtown
district features some of the city's more popular tourist attractions such as
the Texas
State Aquarium, the USS
Lexington Museum, Concrete
Street Amphitheater and numerous other museums and places of interest.
Located along Corpus Christi Bay, the downtown area also provides visitors with
Magee Beach, an ideal place for a family outing or afternoon swim.
Those wanting to stay in
the heart of it all have numerous options to choose from when deciding on lodging.
The district's Shoreline Boulevard and Ocean Drive are lined with hotels, motels
and inns
such as the luxurious Omni's Bayfront
Hotel and Marina
Hotel. These two hotels are located within one block of one another
and offer complimentary shuttle service between the two. Scheduled shuttle service
to and from the airport is also provided. Guests staying at either Omni Hotel
will enjoy amenities such as a fitness center and spa, pools, a business center
and proximity to restaurants, shops and popular city attractions.
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The Omni's
Marina Hotel Tower 2 |
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The Best
Western Marina Grand Hotel, located directly across from the historic
seawall, is an 11-story contemporary hotel that offers numerous features and
services. Hotel rooms include wireless Internet access, blackout drapes, wake-up
calls and private balconies with views of the marina and Corpus Christi Bay.
A complimentary continental breakfast is also served.
The Holiday
Inn Emerald Beach and the more affordable Super
8 Bayfront are also located along Shoreline Boulevard or Ocean Drive.
Both these options offer either views of the bay or downtown Corpus Christi.
For less commercial options,
there's the Bayfront
Inn that overlooks Corpus Christi Bay or the historic Hoover
Inn originally built in 1925. Otherwise, there is the family friendly
Railway
Inn Suites. This quiet 40-room hotel is located along Ocean Drive and
features spacious rooms, a children's wading pool, a full size pool, complimentary
breakfast and family friendly TV channels. Children will enjoy free daily train
rides aboard the hotel's very own Great Ocean Drive Scenic Railroad. A hotel
gift shop also comes equipped with goodies such as railroad toys and artifacts,
specialty items and other personal necessities.
While there aren't many
B&Bs
in Corpus Christi, there is the George
Blucher House. This historic Victorian home, built in 1904, now serves
as a small six-bedroom bed and breakfast inn. This elegantly decorated home
features a fireplace, crystal chandeliers, fine antiques and original artwork.
Located a few streets over from North Shoreline Boulevard, the home is a quiet
retreat right in the middle of a busy city. The grounds are filled with soaring
trees, blooming flowers and even a fountain and koi pond where the B&B's majestic
breakfast is often served during the fall and spring. Found directly across
the street from the B&B is Blucher Park, a bird sanctuary perfect for a relaxing
nature walk while the surrounding downtown area offers restaurants, shops and
the marina.
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A
Guest Room at the Best Western Marina Grand 3 |
Another Corpus Christi B&B
option is Ocean
House. Contrary to the Victorian style of George Blucher House, Ocean
House is a contemporary five-bedroom Mediterranean style home complete with
a pool and dry sauna. Located just outside the downtown area and along Ocean
Drive, the home is a few steps from Corpus Christi Bay and a short drive from
downtown amenities and attractions. A generous 8,000 sq ft (743 sq m), the house's
five luxurious suites all feature king size beds and themed décor. The B&B offers
guests a complimentary continental breakfast throughout the week while weekend
mornings feature a full gourmet breakfast.
AIRPORT
The Corpus
Christi International Airport is located at 1000 International Drive,
about 8 mi (13 km) from the downtown core. This makes the area an ideal location
for those wanting to lodge close to city center attractions while not staying
in the midst of downtown busyness. A complete public
transit system provides extensive service to and from downtown Corpus
Christi, making it easily accessible for those not wanting to rent
a car or call a taxi.
Another bonus to lodging outside the downtown district is that it proves to
be more affordable.
Located along Navigation
Boulevard, the Best
Western Navigation Inn offers its guests amenities such as an outdoor
pool, an exercise room and sauna, free continental breakfast, and a restaurant
and spa onsite. The hotel is also located near many tourist attractions such
as the USS Lexington Museum, the Corpus
Christi Greyhound Racetrack and the Texas State Aquarium.
The Days
Inn Airport is located about 3 mi (5 km) from the downtown area and
its many attractions. It is a 121-room hotel with an outdoor pool and hotel
restaurant onsite. Nearby attractions include the Greyhound Racetrack, Corpus
Christi Beach, the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum. With an
additional fee, pets are also allowed in rooms.
Ideal for the business traveler,
the Red
Roof Inn Airport is the closest lodging to the Bayfront Plaza Convention
Center. It is also about 8 mi (13 km) northwest of downtown Corpus Christi and
its many shopping and restaurant options. The hotel comes equipped with an outdoor
pool, a hot tub and modem lines in rooms. Guests also receive free local phone
calls and a free daily newspaper.
Another option is the Travelodge
Airport. Suitable for both the business and leisure traveler, this hotel
is about five minutes from many of Corpus Christi's popular attractions. The
hotel also includes amenities such as a business center, meeting and banquet
facilities, VIP rooms and an onsite lounge.
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
A few other accommodation
options when staying in Corpus Christi include numerous RV parks and extended
stay suites. These can be found throughout various points in the city
and offer a wide range of amenities and nearby attractions.
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A
Beach on North Padre Island 4 |
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Island
House and El
Constante are two extended stay options found on Corpus Christi's North
Padre Island. Island House, located beachside along Leeward Drive, offers its
guests condominium style units that can accommodate up to eight guests. All
units include full kitchens, living rooms, private balconies and are available
in one, two and three bedroom options.
El Constante is also a beachfront
condominium style complex ideal for extended stays. Located along Windward Drive,
the condos are about a 15 minute drive to downtown Corpus Christi. Units come
in one and two level condos, all of which are equipped with full kitchens, private
baths and living rooms.
RV parks in Corpus Christi
include Colonia
del Rey along Waldron Road, Laguna
Shore Village along Laguna Shores Road, Padre
Palms along Skipper Lane, Greyhound
RV Park on Leopard Street and Puerto
Del Sol on Timon Boulevard. All these parks offer guests full laundry
facilities, showers and proximity to various local attractions.
Visitors wanting to stay
on Padre Island should check WorldWeb.com's
South Padre Island
travel guide for a full list of accommodation
options.
PHOTO
COURTESY
- Raul Medina
III; Bayside downtown Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi, TX, USA
- Omni Corpus
Christi Hotel; The Omni's Marina Hotel tower; Corpus Christi, TX, USA
- Best Western
Marina Grand Hotel; A guest room at the Best Western Marina Grand; Corpus
Christi, TX, USA
- A beach on North
Padre Island; Corpus Christi, TX, USA
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