Hotel Lucine is where Galveston's retro past meets modern beach vibes. Once a mid-century motor lodge, it's now a boutique hotel with bold design, Gulf views, and plenty of places to eat, drink, and hang out from the colorful pool deck to the rooftop bar at sunset.
I first visited Hotel Lucine in early spring 2024, about six months after the reimagined property reopened on the corner of Seawall Boulevard and 10th Street. That night, I had dinner at The Fancy, the hotel's self-described American fine-ish dining restaurant.
The food impressed me enough to include it on my list of the best restaurants in Galveston, but what really caught my eye were glimpses of mid-century modern furniture in The Den and the design ideas behind the remodel.
Table of Contents
About Hotel Lucine
Location
Before diving into the design, it's worth mentioning where Hotel Lucine is planted, right on the Galveston Seawall, facing the Gulf of Mexico. Step outside the front door and you're across from Porretto Beach and Galveston Jetty, with easy access to long walks or a quick dip in the water.
The hotel is also well positioned for exploring the island: the Historic Pleasure Pier is 1.2 miles south, while the shops, bars, and restaurants in the historic Strand District are only a few minutes' drive away.
While Hotel Lucine is a little removed from the hubbub further south along the Seawall (a plus in my opinion), there are still a bunch of bars and restaurants within a few blocks walk.
These include Nesa's Pizza on 10th Street and Pirate Island Bar and Grill, my new go-to spot for iced Vietnamese coffee in Galveston.
Design
Hotel Lucine was reimagined by Kartwheel Studio, an Austin-based multidisciplinary design firm founded by David Clark. The goal was to honor the 1960s motor lodge bones (originally the Treasure Isle Motel) while weaving in modern touches that feel fresh, lived-in, and social.
Walking into The Den, guests enter a space that feels like someone has invited them into a stylish friend's beach house. The furniture is a mix of handcrafted wood pieces, swivel armchairs, comfortable sofas, and geometric coffee tables.
Large porthole windows let in daylight but also frame views of the ocean and sky. Oil paintings add splashes of personality, character, and color.
Sisal rugs, neutral-toned upholstery, and pops of blue, beige, and wood tones are layered with softer accents, creating a space that feels warm and inviting. The Den is your place to grab a banana caramel latte or breakfast taco, and enjoy cocktails later in the day.
The pool patio and courtyard are at the heart of Hotel Lucine. Kartwheel stripped back and overhauled this area, refinishing the pool and terrace with concrete tiles sourced from Ladrilleria Favilli in Granada, Nicaragua.
Around the pool are loungers and fringe-tasseled beach umbrellas. The swimming pool's built-in concrete seating ledge is ideal for dipping toes or lounging with a drink.
The upstairs balcony rooms overlook this lovely courtyard, allowing you to soak up the scene without even stepping outside.
In short, Lucine's design gives retro a glow-up, keeping the motor lodge bones but swapping in a fresh color palette and décor that feel right at home today.
Rooms
Our second-floor room at Hotel Lucine strikes a balance between mid-century style and a clean, modern refresh. White walls and wood accents kept the space bright and airy, while a woven chair and textured rug added warmth.
Smart details, such as a floating shelf beneath the wall-mounted TV and slim nightstands, made the small room feel more spacious. The king-size bed, with its soft, white linens and fluffy pillows, ensured a comfortable three-night stay.
Sliding glass doors opened to a small balcony overlooking the courtyard and pool. Facing west, our room caught the afternoon sun, a nice bonus between outings.
Each room comes with an electric kettle and a pour-over coffee setup (instructions included). Mini-bars are well-stocked, too, with bottles of LALO Tequila and white wine, canned beers, cold brew coffee, and both still and sparkling water.
Food and Drinks
The Den
My happy place at Hotel Lucine is The Den, where you can kick back any time of day. On my first morning, I ordered a banana caramel latte and a breakfast taco with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and avocado on a flour tortilla. Made to order and served with spicy salsas, it was filling enough to power a long walk on the Seawall.
Additional breakfast options include kolaches, toasted blueberry muffins, avocado toast, egg sandwiches with chili crisp, and buttermilk pancakes.
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., The Den transforms into an all-day hangout, offering a menu that ranges from light snacks to sandwiches.
Chips and salsa, vegetable crudité, and crispy chicken bites are easy to share, while the mozzarella and tomato sandwich, fried fish sandwich, or a 44 Farms beef burger make for a proper meal. Sides include fries, smashed cucumbers, and a simple salad.
The cocktail menu is just as playful as the lounge itself, with both classics and house originals. Their draft margarita is a crowd favorite, but I was drawn to the Coconut Ranch Water, made with LALO Tequila, and the Persephone, a refreshing gin drink with grapefruit, pomegranate, and cava.
For something bolder, the El Diablo mixes reposado tequila with ginger and cassis, while the Lucine Breeze pairs cognac with peach liqueur. And if you're an espresso martini fan, don't skip the Corduroy, made with Tito's Vodka and local Corduroy Coffee, for a smooth, late-night kick.
Poolside
On my second morning, I skipped The Den and had breakfast by the pool instead. A salted maple latte paired nicely with a Greek yogurt parfait topped with fresh apricots. Kel and I shared a few kolaches as well.
Eating outside before the sun got too high in the sky felt like a perfect start to the day. As the morning gives way to afternoon, the pool deck becomes the liveliest corner of Hotel Lucine.
Drinks and light bites are easy to order, so you don't have to wander far for a cold beer, spritz, or something snacky.
Poolside Sips
- Spritzes, Margaritas, and Ranch Waters - light, refreshing, and easy to enjoy under an umbrella.
- Zero Proof Cocktails - handcrafted and bottled cocktails to keep you going.
- Cold Beers - local brews and familiar favorites in cans or on draft.
Rooftop Bar
Come evening, the rooftop is the place to be. Perched above the Seawall, it's the best spot at Hotel Lucine to catch a Gulf breeze and watch the sun sink into the horizon.
The bar serves the same cocktails as The Den, along with wine by the glass and shareable carafes of margaritas or ranch waters for groups settling in for the night.
On select evenings, the rooftop hosts live music, which draws locals as well as visitors. During these events, a 7.5% fee is added to guests' bills to help support Galveston's musicians. I like this approach, but for those who don't, you can ask the staff to remove it before paying your tab.
Whether you're there for the tunes or just the view, it's hard to beat sipping a drink with the sky streaked pink and orange over the Gulf of Mexico.
The Fancy
The Fancy is Hotel Lucine's destination restaurant, leaning into its self-described fine-ish dining approach: playful, approachable, and unpretentious, yet with serious attention to detail. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Highlights of the current menu include smoked oyster tartine on Texas toast, Gulf shrimp tagliatelle, blackened redfish, and seared snapper. A whole, roasted fish fresh from the Gulf is also available. Or, skip the seafood and try the Jolly Farms Half Chicken with Charleston gold rice (serves two).
While dinner may be the star, I also enjoyed lunch here. I started with the marinated watermelon, tossed with corn, chiles, and mint chutney, which struck a nice balance between sweet, spicy, and refreshing.
For my main, I couldn't resist the Lucine Burger, made with 44 Farms beef, cheddar cheese, special sauce, pickles, and red onion, served with a side of golden fries. It was delicious.
The only miss was dessert, unfortunately, as the cakes had sold out over the weekend (before we arrived), we didn't get to try the strawberry rhubarb I had my eye on.
Still, between the seasonal, hyperlocal menu and breezy atmosphere, The Fancy more than earned its spot on my list of Galveston's top restaurants.
Final Thoughts
Between the design-forward interiors, comfortable rooms, and a food and beverage program that offers something for every mood, Hotel Lucine is the kind of place you can settle into for days.
Whether you're sipping coffee by the pool, watching the sunset from the rooftop, or tucking into lunch at The Fancy, each space has its own personality yet fits seamlessly into the whole.
Hotel Lucine
1002 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77550
hotellucine.com
______
Thank you to Hotel Lucine for hosting me and a guest for two of our three nights. All opinions are my own.
