San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center

Well for $369 per night I would have expected to be treated with a bit more dignity and respect. I'm actually in my hotel room (club 10 level) writing this review. Why am I in my room writing a review and not poolside with all of my friends for the birthday weekend that thousands of dollars had been spent on? Well.... When we arrived, with the rate we paid for our room, valet parking was meant to be free, as we were told on the phone when making reservations (guess what, it wasn't). Then as we watched other guest have their luggage brought into the ""resort"" not a single person even acknowledged us. That's okay I let it pass, I mean this was the first trip I have been able to take my wife on in 3 years, lets just enjoy the time. So we check in, and go down to the pool to celebrate my brother's girlfriends birthday. Now, some of us smoke, and some resorts can be picky about how and where you smoke, not a problem as I will just ask what to rules are and comply. Our waitress Mallory, informed us that we could only smoke in the Cabana's that we rented ($365/ cabana by the way). So we smoked only in the cabana. Apparently we found out there is a smoking section on the front steps where Valet parking is, we were never informed of this location when I asked where we could smoke. The next thing I know my wife comes over to me, crying, and states that ""we have to go.....we got kicked out by the Police"", (After 5 hours of being at the pool area and smoking the entire time). The management stated they had told us to quit smoking 2 times. I explained that we had no problem to smoke in the designated area, however, the police officer informed us that management had instructed him to escort us out of the pool area and that we could only remain in our rooms for the night. The management stated they did not know what we were smoking (implying illegal substances). For the price that I have paid, as well as my brother who just wanted to have a good weekend, we should never have been treated in the manner we were. I could understand if our party had gotten out of control, if we were rude. However when your paying over $500 for cabanas, and several rooms at over $300 a night, plus the untold amount that we spent on food and drinks, well I can say I have not ever had an issue at the Hotel Galvez. I would highly recommend that you be wary of staying at the San Luis Resort. If there is one thing that I cannot stand it is to be talked down to and disrespected while I am on vacation. Again I could understand if I was being rude and non compliant, however I try to treat people with dignity and respect to resolve issues. I am unbelievably upset that my wife and myself and our party of approximately 15-20 guests were treated in such a manner. I can tell you now that I will not be staying at the San Luis Resort for some time, I will be taking my business back to the Hotel Galvez. I decided to try something new, and I paid for it, figuratively & literally. I have done nothing buy apologize to my wife for the way we were treated when we simply followed the instructions we were given by our Waitress Mallory. I hate that I am writing a negative review because the hotel itself was actually very nice, however it is the people that make the experience. We had to wait for our meals and drinks for over an hour, our waitresses were very unresponsive (although very polite and appologetic for their continuous absence throughout the night....well I have to be here until tomorrow morning... I guess I'll turn on the TV in the room... I guess I could have done that in the comfort of my own home, but I paid for it so I'll try to make what I can out of this terrible evening. San Luis, thank you for making my wife cry, thank you for making our Birthday girl cry, and thank you for being disrespectful to my brother who shelled out thousands for this weekend, thanks for sending the cops to kick us out of the pool we paid for and still charging us!! more

I just had to check out of this hotel. When I checked in the first night I had to stomp out a bug within 20 seconds of walking in. It was nearly midnight so I tried not to worry about it. Tonight I had a bug run along the top blanket and I had to crush and kill it. I called the front desk and they said they would have housekeeping come up. I said that was a good start. They then said they would get another room ready for me. When I spoke with the front desk clerk, I wanted to confirm that I would not be paying for my stay. He could not confirm this so I declined the room until he could get a firm answer for me. He returned and told me housekeeping could not find any bugs in my room. I said I would return to the room and show him. Upon returning to the room, upper management denied any findings of bugs. I showed them the roach picture on my phone and they did not care. I checked out of the hotel with no discount and only a comment about a manager who may call me in the morning. I decided to check into the Hilton next door where they were very helpful. My room is just as nice and $60 less/night! Unfortunately, I have come to find the entire resort is owned by the same person. I'm not expecting a follow up call or any type of rebate. I am with a conference of well over 100 people. I have already contacted several of them to make sure they check their beds tonight, but suggested they check out. I plan to tell the meeting organizers about this horrible expereince in the morning. I spend at least 150 nights/year in hotels and after many years of extensive travel have never experienced service this poor. I have stayed in hotels with pest problems, but I have never had multiple roaches in a room and have never had hotel staff so blatantly act as if I were crazy and deny that they have a problem on their hands. Worst hotel experience ever. Any other hotel has to be better than this. more

I agree with the other reviewers about the customer service. The bar maids at the swimup bar and the female desk clerks that I had to deal with were not very friendly or helpful. My family and I had been there twice before and all three times, the female employees were a bit rude and unfriendly. I had no problems at all with any of the male employees. Our rooms were great, the view was Heavenly and the proximity to the Rainforest, beach, and local restaurants and bars was perfect! I will be back. more

The San Luis recovered pretty quickly after Ike. Their colorful orange, red, and mirrored cabana, swim-up pool, and fountains that overlook the beach are still the best on the Texas coast.\r \r Swim up and have the fresh shrimp cocktail and a real pina colada here in the shaded area of the hut bar.\r \r Please see the photos I uploaded to get a better idea of the H2O bar. Pros: Pool area is the best in Galveston Cons: $$$$ more

For what they charge ($300 per night) the ""resort"" is not worth it at all. You can get better service at a Motel 6. The decor is good as are the restaurants. The front desk staff is very inexperienced and rude. The poolside waitresses are not attentive. Not sure if that is because they stereotype guests as either good tippers and not good tippers, or they make their decisions on who to serve based on race/ethnicity...At any rate, their service is bad. Pool which used to be a major plus is now unkept and murky. Hotel staff appear tired and unwilling to help. Pros: decent parking Cons: service more

This pad has the nicest folks, the best pool. A great piano bar and best view of The Gulf on the Island. more

My wife and I just completed a trip here on 10/11/06, and it was outstanding!! Our room was excellent, the view fabulous, and the service throughout was the best!! I highly recommend it, and will return again!! Pros: cleanliness, view, service more

Before we left Houston for Galveston we booked a VIP Suite for a romantic weekend away from the city. We called an hour before leaving and told them we'd be there in two hours. When we arrived they didn't have a VIP suite for us. They instead told us that they'd give us a room just as large for the same price, a condo no doubt. We weren't going to let this ruin our time so we agreed. The 'condo' was a ten by ten room with a bed that folded out of the wall! Hilarious, all this for $400!\r \r When we asked for a regular room instead they could only offer us a room with two double beds. After much debate we were not given a dicount or any gratus, but simply checked and wondered into the night without them so much as even offering to help us find another room. Their staff were rude and in no way helpful or apologetic. I made this reservation with the Hotel itself, not online.\r \r Travelers beware! Cons: Staff, Accomodations more

I took my family to stay at the San Luis over Labor Day weekend. My wife had services at the spa and she said Marcia, her masseuse, was great. However, we were on a NON-SMOKING FLOOR BUT HAD TO SMELL HEAVY CIGARETTE SMOKE coming in through the vents from adjacent rooms. This happened on several occasions and made it un-enjoyable. Management was aware of the situation but does not seem able (or willing) to enforce their no smoking policy. Service was good, but not great. more

Early October my husband and I stayed at the San Luis. We were disatisfied with the quality of the room and the services offered for the price we paid. Since our stay I have done research to find out what the going rates are for the San Luis and we were actually charged almost 3 times more than they are charging for these rooms now. They were charging room prices as though we were staying at the Four Seasons, now we don't mind paying the price IF we get what we are paying for. I definately would not recommend this hotel to anyone and will never stay there again. Pros: good parking, great views Cons: dated rooms, old smell more

I had my wedding there...and it was a fairy tale! The person who helped set it up, the bartenders, the waiters were spectacular....the front desk staff on the other hand is a completely different story. They just seemed like they didn't care to be there, and didn't try to hide it. Pros: Courteous Valet, Pool w/bar, Spa Cons: Front desk staff more

I love staying at San Luis, and my husband and I were actually going to have our whole family there for christmas but remembered our encounter this summer the room cleaners that thought they were waisting their time with us. We really wish the people there were nicer. We will try them again this summer, mabye things have changed. Pros: Valet Parking, Pool, Food Cons: , Ashtrays were dirty more

I have stayed at the San Luis on many occassions. and am always impressed with the well manicured grounds, the magnificent views from the rooms and the wonderful pool area. My 9 yr old especially likes the water slide and the waterfall that you walk through to get to the warm soaking area, built into the pool area.Unfortunately, their service can be hap-hazard. Some San Luis employees go out of their way to be helpful and some really shouldn't be allowed to meet the public. Pros: Child Friendly, Beautiful Property, Great Views Cons: Hap-Hazard Service more