I visited South Padre some years ago and stayed at the Sheraton. The beach and pool area with swim-up bar were great. The hotel was bad- -bad food, slow elevator, dumpy rooms and marginal food. I had read that the hotel recently renovated, so I went on Tripadvisor to read the reviews of this and other properties I've considered, like the Radisson. By and large, reviews of Padre hotels are consistently bad, with many travellers disappointed, checking out early, etc. We Texans want to enjoy our best beach, including those of us who want to stay in and are willing to pay for a nice full service hotel. I know it is a big spring break destination and that the college market wants value, not luxury, but isn't it time we had at least one nice place to stay? Does anyone know of one?

Has anyone tried the Peninsula Island Resort on Padre?

Anyone stay at Bahia Mar Resort?

Wow, this is pretty depressing to read, as we had a very disappointing experience on S. Padre over 10 years ago, and yes, we ended up checking out early! I can't believe so little has changed.

For a price, anything is available. Try a rental rather than a hotel. But keep your expectations adjusted to the reality that you ARE in Texas - this is not the Rivieria.
http://tinyurl.com/6xs68g

We have friends that stay at Bahia Mar every year. It is NOT deluxe, but it is fine for an affordable vacation. Also, some units may be nicer than others, but overall, the property is not premium.

Thanks . . we may give it a look this fall.

Rich

The prices in S. Padre astound me too. I went there many times growing up -- the beach is at best mediocre, yet the condo and lodging prices are on par with lodgings in the Panhandle and Upper Gulf coast of Fla (where the sand is white and the water is blue.)

It's all about demand, and I guess there are enough people from Texas and the midwest to keep prices high.