TravelWorld International Magazine Summer 2024

The Grand Galvez Hotel
GAIDO’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
The Grand Galvez Hotel
poster in historic style
THE GRAND GALVEZ
Gaido’s since 1911. Fresh locally caught Gulf
seafood served with elegance and grace.
While they are known for their “Deluxe Shellfish Tower,” which
is literally a tower of oysters on the half shell, chilled Gulf
shrimp, jumbo lump crab salad, and chilled blue crab claws,”
don’t miss out on their au gratin potatoes and blue cheese
grits. Their “Watkins Bisque” is delish, and their wedge salad is
perfection. Pecan pie is the official state pie of Texas, and Gaido’s
pecan pie is covered from top to bottom in Texas pecans. Is it
pee-KAHN? Or puh-CON? Gaido’s is across the street from the
water, so depending on your table, you’ll have a gorgeous view.
The restaurant has dark cozy lighting and smells delicious, with
wafts of seafood, butter, and garlic.
What I love about Galveston is that you can be transported
back into time. If you visit LaKing’s Confectionary, where
candy is still handmade, you can feel like you’re thrown back
to the 1920s. Or if you visit The Grand 1894 Opera House that
survived the storms of 1900 and 1916, you can feel like you’re
back in the early 1900s. Galveston truly is grand in all that it has
to offer.
Sometimes we wait years to visit a place on our bucket list,
which was the case for me with Galveston. I waited over two
decades to dip my toes in the Texas Gulf Coast. And now I’m
hooked on the small town, beach-vibe and the welcoming feel
of the Jewel of the Gulf. I’ll be back, donning my pink flip flops
and pastel sunnies.
Established in 1911, the AAA
4-diamond property is the only
historic beachfront hotel on the Gulf
Coast. They are also the only hotel
in Texas to own their own beach,
which is right across the street.
They are still developing their beach
but have plans to offer facilities on
the water. The Grand Galvez has
a storied history of celebrities and
prominent public figures, such as
Franklin Roosevelt and Dwight
Eisenhower, visiting and staying.
The Miss Universe Pageant was
said to have begun at the “Pageant
of Pulchritude” that took place
originally at the hotel. In 2021, they
began a construction plan totaling
$31 million, and in 2023, they
transitioned to a Marriott Autograph
Collection Property. Don’t forget
to sip a drink at the legendary
mahogany bar that was originally
housed in Galveston’s last speakeasy
during the days of prohibition
The Grand Galvez, the black-andwhite
checkered floors are amazing.
They feel old Hollywood.
The red chandelier in The
Founders Bar is gorgeous.
Gaido’s Deluxe Shellfish Tower
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The Grand Galvez Interior Staircase
A Grand Galvez interior Hallway
Famous pecan pie from Gaido’s
LaKing’s Confectionary, an old-fashioned soda fountain, ice cream parlor,
candy store, and coffee shop. Watch salt water taffy being made.
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