The Top Five South Padre Island Hotels of 2016

South Padre Island, Texas is a sunny coastal city that's filled with fun outdoor activities, a variety of interesting attractions, and some of the best seafood in the Gulf Coast area. You can visit South Padre at any time of year and have a blast, plus there's no shortage of interesting wildlife to see. There's a wide range of accommodation available to visitors, including hotels and resorts with just about every amenity you can imagine. Here are five of the top hotels on South Padre Island.

Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island

Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island is a 3-star hotel that sits right alongside the ocean. It's a great pick if you want to be right on the beach and it's also less than seven miles from Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historical Park, the highlight of which is a historic structure that was built in 1852 and still stands today. This Hilton property is also less than five miles from Schlitterbahn, a waterpark that's a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

A Starbucks cafe is on-site that offers the chain's signature coffees, drinks, teas, and snacks, as well as the Garden Grille and Bar. This on-site restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a daily breakfast buffet. Garden Grille and Bar is known for using fresh local ingredients and the selection of wine and beer on the menu is well curated.

Elsewhere on site at Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island is a convenience mart that's open 24/7, a fitness center, pools, and a 24/7 business center complete with several meeting spaces. The rooms at this hotel feature contemporary decor and specially designed beds that are exclusive to the Hilton brand. Standard amenities include minifridges, microwaves, premium cable, and flat screen televisions. Internet access is complimentary to guests. For a more luxurious stay, opt for an upgraded suite -- in addition to containing separate living areas and sofa beds, suites have private balconies with great ocean views.

Nightly rate: starts at $100

Link: http://hgisouthpadreisland.com/

Schlitterbahn Beach Resort

One of the most popular South Padre Island hotels is the Schlitterbahn Beach Resort. The 4-star property is right on the grounds of the fun waterpark and is also next to the beach. In all there are 25 acres of attractions, rides, and amenities for guests to enjoy. When you reserve a room at Schlitterbahn Beach Resort you'll receive discounted admission to the park, which has a zip line, carousel, several pools, a tubing river, and huge water slides.

There are many sit down and takeaway dining options at Schlitterbahn where guests can order food ranging from seafood to burgers and pizza. Shrimp Haus Restaurant offers al fresco dining and has a casual atmosphere, Seaside Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is known for its fish tacos, and Sea4ever Rooftop Bar & Grill is an upscale eatery that's open seasonally.

Schlitterbahn Beach Resort also has cabana rentals, live entertainment events, and lodging that's bright and contemporary. Some of the rooms have views of the ocean, and all contain flat screen televisions, complimentary WiFi access, microwaves, and minifridges. The spacious suites include separate living rooms, pull out couches, and kitchens.

Nightly rate: starts at $105

Link: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island/resort

La Copa Inn Beach Hotel

One of the top contemporary South Padre Island hotels is the 3-star La Copa Inn. It's very close to Port Isabel as well as Schlitterbahn and the South Padre Island Convention Center. Guests at this hotel enjoy private beach access as well as a range of on-site amenities including a fully equipped gym, relaxing lounge, and a nice gift shop.

A free hot breakfast is available each morning, and there's a casual dining restaurant on the property that serves Starbucks coffee. The rooms sport unique decor and are quite stylish, plus free WiFi, flat screen televisions, coffeemakers, microwaves, and minifridges are standard. Select rooms at La Copa Inn Beach Hotel have pool and ocean views, and upgraded suites contain extra bedrooms and jetted spa tubs.

Nightly rate: starts at $66

Link: http://www.lacoparesort.com/

Pearl South Padre

If you're looking for upscale 4-star South Padre Island hotels, consider Pearl South Padre. It's a gorgeous oceanfront high rise that's just a short walk to the beach. Pearl South Padre is also about ten minutes away from Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

There's a wealth of entertainment and amenities at this property, including live music, an outdoor pool, kids' pool area, and a rejuvenating spa where you can experience fabulous massages and beauty treatments. Pearl South Padre also has its own bar and grille by the beach as well as a casual seafood restaurant that serves Gulf Coast favorites.

The rooms have classy, chic decor, and Pearl South Padre also offers suites and condos which are great for groups and those who are taking an extended vacation. The latter two options feature kitchens and private balconies, while complimentary internet access, microwaves, minifridges, and coffeemakers come with standard rooms.

Nightly rate: starts at $95

Link: http://www.pearlsouthpadre.com/

La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Island

Three-star La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Island is a lovely beachfront property with a large number of room options. It's less than a five minute walk from the South Padre Island Convention Center and is also less than five miles from Schlitterbahn. A nice perk of staying there is the free continental breakfast spread, and a gym, pool, laundry facilities, gift shop, meeting rooms and business facilities are also available.

Rooms at this hotel feature refreshingly modern decor with plush beds, complimentary WiFi, and flat screen televisions. Microwaves, coffeemakers, and minifridges come standard, and larger suites add private balconies, full size fridges, and pull out sofas in the living areas.

If you're traveling with children, a key advantage of staying at this property is there's no charge for guests 18 and under to stay at the hotel. Kids also receive free meals at the on-site restaurant with the purchase of adult entrees.

Nightly rate: starts at $90

Link: http://www.lq.com/en/findandbook/hotel-details.south-padre-beach.html