Welcome to this wonderful mid century gulf coast cottage, a fully furnished 3-bedroom, 1-bath second-floor home with 1,311 square feet of character-filled island living in Galveston's beautiful Historic East End.
This is a complete home — not an apartment — and is available for short stays (3-night minimum), monthly stays, and longer-term rentals.
Perfect for remote workers, families, medical residents and visiting professors at UTMB, traveling medical professionals, couples, friends, and anyone looking for an authentic Galveston living experience.
You'll be just blocks from UTMB, Shriners Children's Texas, the Historic Strand, Stewart Beach, the Seawall, cruise terminals, local restaurants, shops, and some of Galveston's most beautiful historic architecture.
THE BEDROOMS
The home has three bedrooms:
• Bedroom with 1 king bed
• Bedroom with 1 queen bed
• Bedroom with a trundle providing 2 twin beds
Each bedroom includes comfortable bedding, a dresser, and a small collection of books.
BATHROOM
The house has one full indoor bathroom with a jetted tub and shower combination — perfect for a long bath after a day exploring the island.
We provide bath towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and body lotion. For monthly guests, toiletries are provided as a starter supply, and guests replace consumables as needed during longer stays.
There is also an outdoor shower, perfect for rinsing off sand after returning from the beach.
A separate ground-floor garage/laundry facility shared by guests and residents of the properties on our lot includes an additional toilet. This facility has its own entrance and exit and is not accessible from, connected to, or part of the home's interior living space.
Both toilets have bidets.
KITCHEN
The bright kitchen has plenty of counter space and a lovely garden window. It is fully equipped for guests who prefer to cook at home.
You'll find cookware, glasses, mugs, plates, bowls, silverware, pots, pans, a baking sheet, cooking oil, salt, and pepper.
Our coffee and tea area includes a drip coffee maker, Keurig, and electric kettle. The kitchen also includes a blender, toaster, crock pot, microwave, gas stovetop, and oven.
LIVING ROOM
Settle in for a relaxed evening after a day at the beach or exploring downtown Galveston.
The living room includes comfortable seating and a Smart TV. Simply log into your own streaming accounts to enjoy services such as Netflix, Max, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and others.
We also provide books, children's activities, puzzles, family games, playing cards, and a yoga mat.
WORKSPACE & WIFI
Need to work while you're on the island?
The trundle bedroom includes a dedicated desk for remote workers, medical professionals, monthly renters, or short-stay guests who need a comfortable place to check email or get some work done.
Strong Fiber WiFi is available throughout the house.
OUTDOOR SPACE
Enjoy your morning coffee under the palapa while taking in the garden and Gulf Coast breeze.
The property includes a private patio and fenced backyard with a charcoal grill. An outdoor shower makes it easy to rinse off after a day at the beach.
LAUNDRY & SHARED GROUND-FLOOR AREA
A separate ground-floor garage/laundry facility includes a washer, dryer, detergent, and secondary toilet. This area is shared with guests and residents of the other accommodations on the property.
The facility is separate from the home's interior and has its own entrance and exit.
PARKING
Street parking is available in front of the property. One vehicle can park parallel in front of the garage.
The garage can also accommodate motorcycles and provides bike storage.
GETTING AROUND
One of the best things about staying here is the location.
The Historic Strand District, Seawall, UTMB, Shriners Children's Texas, Stewart Beach, restaurants, parks, shops, and historic attractions are all nearby.
Bikes are available for guest use at no additional charge. Paddle boards may also be available with a deposit. Several local vendors rent bicycles and golf carts if you'd like additional transportation options.
APPROXIMATE DISTANCES
• 4-minute walk to Adoue Park — great for children
• 10-minute walk to popular neighborhood restaurants
• 15-minute walk to the beach and Seawall
• 3-minute drive to the Strand Historic District
• 4-minute drive to the Historic Pleasure Pier
• 10-minute drive to Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn
• Convenient to groceries, shops, restaurants, and nightlife
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Galveston's Historic East End is known for its tree-lined streets and remarkable collection of Victorian and Greek Revival architecture.
The neighborhood offers a wonderful combination: peaceful residential surroundings while still being close to downtown, UTMB, the Strand, the Seawall, beaches, restaurants, and attractions.
If you appreciate historic architecture, walkable neighborhoods, and places with genuine character, you'll feel right at home.
PROVIDED FOR YOUR STAY
Beach towels and beach accessories · Beach wagon · Beach chairs · Extra pillows · Towels · Linens and blankets · Reusable shopping bags · Laundry detergent · Starter bath products
We also provide a detailed guest manual with information about the house, check-in, local attractions, suggested itineraries, restaurants, and some of our favorite places around Galveston.
HOST COMMUNICATION
We are just a message away when you genuinely need our help.
Please contact us promptly for safety concerns, plumbing or water problems, power outages, access issues, or major appliance failures that significantly affect your stay.
For everyday questions about appliances or amenities, please check the guest information we provide first. We've tried to make the house easy to navigate and give you the information you'll need to enjoy an independent, relaxing stay.
Detailed arrival and property information will be provided before check-in.
SUSTAINABILITY
We care deeply about Galveston and try to operate our properties as responsibly as possible. We ask our guests to help by being mindful of energy and water consumption during their stay.
Reusable shopping bags are provided, and we use bulk laundry detergent rather than large single-use plastic detergent containers whenever possible.
Take care of our island, and she will take care of you.
A FEW FINAL THINGS
The Historic Palapa House isn't a cookie-cutter hotel room — and that's exactly the point.
It's a real Galveston home in a real historic neighborhood: comfortable, colorful, quirky, welcoming, and filled with island character.
Spend the morning at the beach, walk to lunch, explore the Strand, come home for an afternoon break, then enjoy an evening under the palapa.
Whether you're here for a long weekend, an assignment at UTMB, a family getaway, remote work, or an extended stay on the island, we'd love to welcome you.
BEFORE YOU BOOK — PLEASE READ
The Historic Palapa House is located in a historic neighborhood on a barrier island in Texas. It has charm, character, and quirks — all three in equal measure. We price the home to reflect exactly what it is: an affordable, comfortable, fully furnished home in one of Galveston's most historic neighborhoods.
We want you to love your stay, and the best way to make that happen is to make sure this property is a good match for you before you book.
STAIRS
The entire home is on the second floor and is accessed by stairs. The property is not wheelchair or mobility accessible. If anyone in your group is unable to comfortably climb stairs, this property will not be a good fit.
ENTRANCES
The house has two entrances: a street entrance and the main entrance via the alleyway at the rear of the property. We provide detailed check-in information so you'll know exactly where to go and how everything works.
NO PETS
The home has cork flooring throughout portions of the living areas and hallways. We cannot accommodate pets.
OCCUPANCY
Monthly rentals have a maximum occupancy of 4 guests. Short stays can accommodate up to 6 guests for a maximum of 7 nights.
CLIMATE & SUMMER STAYS
Galveston has a hot, humid, subtropical coastal climate, particularly during the summer months. The home is cooled by three 14,000 BTU smart window air-conditioning units, along with a dehumidifier and tower fans. This is not a central-air system.
If you are especially sensitive to heat or have never experienced a Gulf Coast summer, please familiarize yourself with Galveston's seasonal climate before booking. We want guests to arrive with realistic expectations about island weather and historic-home living.
INSECTS & ISLAND LIVING
We maintain professional pest-control service on a regular schedule. Galveston is also a subtropical barrier island, and insects are part of the natural environment, especially during periods of unusually hot or humid weather.
Despite regular pest control, an occasional insect may make its way inside. If seeing any insects would significantly affect your stay, please consider whether a subtropical island destination is the right fit for you.
A PRIVATE HOME, NOT A FULL-SERVICE HOTEL
This is a privately hosted historic home rather than a full-service hotel. We are available when something genuinely needs our attention, including safety concerns, plumbing or water problems, power outages, or major appliance failures affecting your stay.
Guests should be comfortable with the normal independence that comes with staying in a private vacation home. We provide detailed check-in information and a guest manual covering the property, amenities, and local recommendations.
Our goal is simple: safe, comfortable, affordable island accommodations and clear expectations on both sides. Many of our guests return, and we love welcoming people who appreciate historic homes and authentic Galveston living.
Galveston Vacation Rental Registration: GVR-13153
