Iconic Galveston Hotel Purchased, Renamed Ahead of Busy Tourist Season

Iconic Galveston Hotel Purchased, Renamed Ahead of Busy Tourist Season

Grand Galvez Resort & Spa (formerly Hotel Galvez)

AT THE START of what Galveston hopes will be an exciting and full summer season — including hosting the first cruises to depart the U.S. since March 2020 — the Hotel Galvez and Spa has been renamed, and will soon undergo renovations.


Now known as the Grand Galvez Resort & Spa, the historic property on the Seawall was purchased by hotelier Mark Wyant, a Dallas native. He bought the hotel from the family of legendary wildcatter and champion of all things Galveston, George P. Mitchell. Wyant plans to overhaul the guest rooms and common areas, as well as add "exciting entertainment venues" to the property, which will be part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

Mark Wyant, owner, Seawall Hospitality LLC

This isn't Wyant's first dip into the island-hotel ocean; he built the nearby Holiday Inn Express on Seawall Boulevard, and also developed the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort next-door to the San Luis Resort. Wyant is attracted to regions with historical significance, as excited by his investment in cities like New Orleans and Charleston. He owns The Saint Hotel brand with locations in the aforementioned towns, along with Key West.

People + Places
Lawyers Can Be Cool — Especially Lauren Varnado and Energy Experts at Michelman & Robinson!

Lauren Varnado

Law firms aren’t typically associated with cool, but then again, Michelman & Robinson, LLP is no ordinary law firm. Fact is, M&R is different, special and, yes, cool. Especially the lawyers in its Houston office, which is the hub of the firm’s robust energy practice.

Keep Reading Show less

A detail of one of Conley's new metal sculptures

IT’S BEEN A while (2017 to be exact) since we featured Houston metal sculptor Tara Conley in our inaugural A Day in the Life of the Arts photo essay. That image of Conley in her Montrose studio, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve flannel shirt, and a welders mask, holding a blow torch and staring down the camera while crouched behind one of her elegant steel sculptures, certainly conveyed the “work” that goes into being a “working artist.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

ANNUALLY ONE OF the city's largest and most successful fundraising fetes, this year's Cattle Baron's Ball surpassed expectations, raising $1.6 million for the American Cancer Society.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties