Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel

This historic hotel in central Galveston (52 miles southeast of Houston) celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001, yet it's hardly showing its age. Though they are fairly small, Hotel Galvez's guest rooms all feature contemporary luxuries like iPod docking stations and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. And on-site amenities – like the spa and the heated outdoor pool (which the Hotel Galvez shares with its sister Wyndham property, The Tremont House) – are as modern as they come. Recent guests were impressed by the Galvez Bar & Grill, which serves traditional southern Texas food with ingredients like cilantro and roasted corn. And the restaurant's Sunday Champagne brunch is a hit. But according to previous travelers, the real star of the hotel is the staff, who provide friendly and accommodating Southern hospitality. Some visitors, though, do warn to drive or opt for a cab because the area around the hotel can get sketchy after dark. And for those who are Wyndham Rewards members, you can earn and redeem rewards points during your stay thanks to the property's Wyndham affiliation.