You'll find La Porte 35 minutes from Houston, on the banks of Galveston Bay. It was established in 1892 by an investment group who spotted its commercial potential. Boating piers, bathhouses, and a Victorian hotel for dances quickly sprang up, making La Porte one of the nation's most popular tourist locations.
Fires and hurricanes plagued the city in the early 1900s, but it bounced back quickly, rebuilding each time with new tourist attractions like the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park. However, a 1943 hurricane and erosion of the beach proved to be the final straws, and the city changed direction, refusing to rebuild its tourist facilities. Instead, La Porte quietened down, which is just how the locals and the travelers who still visit like it. While the beachfront was restored with new sand from 2009 to 2013, La Porte remains a sleepy state secret.
When is the best time to visit La Porte, Texas?
While its beach is alluring, La Porte's subtropical climate makes summer days hot and steamy. Unless you plan on spending all your time in the water, and you're happy to pay the high summer prices, you're better arriving earlier in spring. You'll find spring weather is still warm enough for swimming but not so oppressively humid.
Fall temps can also be mild, but hurricanes often batter the Texas coastline in August and September. While it's been some time since La Porte saw a devastating hurricane, strong winds during this season can make vacationing during the fall unpleasant.
Winter is a decent choice, with its affordable hotel rates and cool, rather than cold, weather. Hotel rates jump around the holidays though, so try to avoid a festive getaway if you're watching your pennies.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in La Porte, TX:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average rate patterns by star rating class in La Porte, TX. Analyze these line graphs to determine the most cost effective seasons to book in La Porte for upcoming travels.
Where are the luxury hotels near La Porte, Texas?
La Porte also has plenty of hotels for travelers who enjoy the finer things in life. Treat yourself to a luxury stay at the following hotels.
As a Hilton property, you can expect something extra when you stay at Hampton Inn & Suites La Porte. Think an enormous outdoor swimming pool, a Manager's Reception with complimentary drinks and snacks on Mondays to Wednesdays, and a free shuttle for exploring the city. Standard rooms, accessible rooms, and suites all have flat-screen TVs showing more than 100 channels, as well as coffee makers and signature Hampton beds. Linger over the generous buffet breakfast served each morning, or grab a Hampton's On the Run breakfast bag, available on weekdays. Both are free to ensure you start your day right.
Candlewood Suites La Porte offers spacious suites with flat-screen TVs showing premium cable channels, DVD players, and full-sized kitchens with stoves, dishwashers, and all the pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery you need to enjoy a home-cooked meal in your room. The hotel doesn't serve food. However, its Candlewood Cupboard store has well-priced food and sundries. There's a small fitness center on-site, but if you want to mix up your routine, check out the larger off-site fitness center for a small fee. The hotel's evening reception every Thursday provides the perfect opportunity for meeting your fellow travelers.
What affordable hotel options are in La Porte, TX?
3 Star Average Prices: $86.75
These La Porte hotels charge less for their rooms, so you'll have more to spend on sightseeing. Look to popular budget chains for some of the best room rates in the city.
Americas Best Value Inn & Suites La Porte-Houston is a basic hotel ideally located for road trippers just off Highway 146. Standard rooms feature creature comforts, including microwaves, minifridges, coffee makers, and large, 40-inch, flat-panel TVs with ESPN. For a more indulgent visit, book a suite or a Jacuzzi room. A guest laundry area and a business center stay open 24/7, while the outdoor pool takes advantage of warm Texas weather from April to October. Enjoy a free continental breakfast and coffee each morning in the lobby. While the hotel doesn't serve lunch and dinner, it's within walking distance of several local restaurants.
Super 8 La Porte upholds the tradition of affordable rooms with plenty of extras synonymous with the Super 8 name. Its rooms are modern and colorful, with bold feature walls and artworks, 32-inch flat-screen TVs showing HBO, and comfortable beds. The complimentary eight-item SuperStart breakfast, featuring popular favorites such as waffles, should give you the energy you need for a day of sightseeing. Alternatively, take it easy relaxing in the outdoor pool. The choice is yours when you stay at Super 8 La Porte.
2 Star Average Prices: $74.82
Which hotels in La Porte, TX offer the best discounts?
Selected groups always save when they stay in La Porte. If you meet the criteria, you'll enjoy big savings at the following local chain hotels.
Quality Inn & Suites La Porte has special rates for AAA and CAA auto club members, seniors and AARP members, and government and military personnel. It also discounts rates for people booking 10 or more rooms at a time. As well as big discounts, Quality Inn & Suites La Porte is known for its friendly service and guest perks, including free breakfasts and coffee, weekday newspapers, and Wi-Fi. Rooms are tastefully decorated in muted colors, with plush pillowtop mattresses, fluffy pillows, and quality bedding for your best night's sleep. An indoor pool and a gym give guests plenty of exercise options.
AAA auto club members, seniors and AARP members, and government and military employees all pay less than the standard rate at La Quinta Houston La Porte. Its rooms are well designed, with quality wooden furniture, pillowtop beds, free internet fast enough for streaming, and flat-panel TVs showing premium cable channels. Visit during warm weather to enjoy the hotel's great outdoor features, including a swimming pool, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. La Quinta's staff provide a free buffet breakfast to guests each morning.
Where are the best budget hotels around La Porte, TX?
To make sure your dollar goes further, look no further than the following hotels. These accommodation options offer guest's affordable rates and some exciting perks.
Fairway Inn is a charming hotel next to Denny's and 1 mile from Sylvan Beach Park. Its rooms aren't flashy, but they're very spacious with all the features you'll love, including beds with a thick mattress; 32-inch TVs screening premium channels, including HBO and ESPN; microwaves; and minifridges. Some even have hot tubs! You won't pay extra for local calls or internet access, parking, or the continental breakfast the inn's friendly employees serve each morning. Those workers are available 24 hours a day at the service desk, should you need anything during your stay.
WoodSpring Suites Houston La Porte isn't called Value Place La Porte any more, but it remains committed to offering guests great value. It's made for extended stays, with spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, a pet-friendly policy welcoming dogs and cats, and special weekly and monthly rates. The on-site laundry is open 24/7 for your convenience. While there's no eatery on-site, there are plenty of fast-food outlets and restaurants close by.
What attractions does the city of La Porte, TX have to offer?
Main Street is home to many of La Porte's favorite restaurants. Take your time to sample all the delicious offerings on this busy Texas street.
Main 101 Grill & Bar is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city. Dishes like Scottish salmon with a basil tomato butter sauce, broiled crab-stuffed shrimp, and pan-seared filet mignon should get your mouth watering. While the meals are fine dining, the owners keep the atmosphere friendly and casual. The fully stocked bar boasts all your favorite wines and beers. If you prefer, get the bartenders to whip you up one of their famous cocktails.
El Ranchero celebrates the cuisine just south of the state's border. Its recipes are authentic, and all food is homemade fresh daily on the premises, using fresh ingredients sourced from local, organic farms wherever possible. Try the enchiladas, quesadillas, and the hearty combination plates for a flavor explosion. While the restaurant's owners insist their meals would taste good anywhere, this charming restaurant with plush booths around the side adds the sort of atmosphere you'll never find in popular Mexican fast food chains.
Don't let the name fool you. There's much more than beverages at Mainly Drinks, an elegant restaurant in the heart of historic Main Street. Classics like the Cobb salad, chicken fried steak, and pesto chicken are always reliable. However, it's worth taking a chance on the soup of the day or the lunch and dinner specials. Stop by for a visit on Thursdays, when Mainly Drinks offers free wine and beer tasting between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays are also lots of fun, with live musicians adding ambience between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
For a seaside getaway that never gets full of spring breakers, you can't beat La Porte. Enjoy fun on the coast without crowds in this charming Texas city.
FAQs about hotels in La Porte
How much does a cheap hotel in La Porte cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in La Porte can be as cheap as $74.82 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in La Porte cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in La Porte has been $86.75 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Recent traveler reviews of La Porte, TX
Below are reviews of the city of La Porte, TX from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Cute Main Street with lots of antique shops!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Cute Main Street with lots of antique shops!
Carlos H., from 12-Jun-2023
"The Best Seafood!!"
Score
5.0 / 5
I love seafood being from Louisiana and that was the best part!
Vanessa S., from 21-Mar-2023
"Good Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Hotel is in a good location.
Billy B., from 05-Mar-2023
"Hotel was awesome!"
Score
4.0 / 5
It didn't feel like a busy city. It had many conveniences available, but always felt like small town folks. We already made plans to return for our family vacation. Comfy and nice.
Elsa B., from 30-Jul-2019
The average traveler rating of the city of La Porte, TX shown above is
4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews