Gulfway Motel & Restaurant

2.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Gulfway Motel & Restaurant

Exterior
Front of property
Comfort Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking
Lobby
Beach nearby

Reviews

7.6 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
1365 Highway 124, High Island, TX, 77623
  • Bolivar Peninsula
    1 min walk
  • Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary
    8 min walk
  • Eubank Woods Bird Sanctuary
    13 min walk

Room options

Comfort Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Comfort Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Comfort Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Comfort Room, 1 Queen Bed, Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Comfort Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking

  • 209 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Comfort Room, 2 Double Beds, Smoking

  • 209 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Similar properties

About the area

High Island

With a stay at Gulfway Motel & Restaurant in High Island, you'll be by the ocean, within a 15-minute walk of Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary and Eubank Woods Bird Sanctuary. .This beach motel is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary.

What's nearby

  • Bolivar Peninsula - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Eubank Woods Bird Sanctuary - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • High Island Beach - 18 min walk - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Houston William Hobby Airport (HOU) - 98 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Gulfway Grill - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Gulfway Motel & Restaurant

Sandy fun near Eubank Woods Bird Sanctuary and Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary
Air-conditioned accommodations at Gulfway Motel & Restaurant offer complimentary toiletries. Beds feature premium bedding. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a seasonal outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 32-inch flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include desks, housekeeping is provided daily, and rollaway/extra beds (surcharge) can be requested.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. This motel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a picnic area.
Buffet breakfasts are served on weekends from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM on weekends.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee weekends 7:00 AM–9:00 AM: USD 8.65-11.90 for adults and USD 8.65-11.90 for children

Things to do

  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Microwave
  • Fridge
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Front-desk safe

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Braille signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Heating
  • Premium bedding
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV
  • TV channels
  • Premium channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Fridge

More

  • Desk

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 10 per pet, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20 per day

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 50.0 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 8.65 to 11.90 for adults, and USD 8.65 to 11.90 for children
  • Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from May to September
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Property is also known as

Gulfway Motel Port Bolivar
Gulfway Motel
Gulfway Port Bolivar
Gulfway Motel Restaurant
Gulfway & Restaurant High
Gulfway Motel & Restaurant Motel
Gulfway Motel & Restaurant High Island
Gulfway Motel & Restaurant Motel High Island

Gulfway Motel & Restaurant Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 99 out of 279 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 91 out of 279 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 34 out of 279 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 279 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 30 out of 279 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Catherine M

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We had a pleasant stay at this classic motel. The staff were friendly and helpful. Although the exterior could use some tidying, the room was clean and attractive and comfortable. On a hot day one might want to call an hour before arrival to see if they can turn the AC & fridge on/up, but both got cold soon enough - and I admire the energy conservation of not running everything while a room is empty. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise, as the menu had both American and Asian sections. We opted for a Japanese dinner - tempura and sushi - all delicious, and the shrimp tempura was exceptional - fresh gulf shrimp is such a treat! We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Cesar

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
They didn't return my deposit
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Simone

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Bathtub needed replaced.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Johnnie

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Very cozy and safe feeling place to visit.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Linda

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
No coffee pot in the rooms. You can buy it at the front desk tho. There’s a restaurant connected, but they are not open often because they are the same people that clean the rooms. The owners. So if their cleaning, restaurant is closed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Judy

Travelled with family
They were lacking help in the housekeeping area. Only one lady to clean all the rooms. Restaurant hardly ever open because management was busy trying to clean rooms.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Juan

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Summer 2024
Small family owned motel. Every time I’m there, it is clean. No smell of pets or smoke. Friendly owners & housekeeping. I feel safe there.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine

The staff is wonderful. The breakfast is great.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Guy

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I've visited the High Island Bird Sanctuary every year for the last five years. The rooms are clean and well maintained. Improvements are made every year. It is an ideal location to visit all the local birding scenes.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Gulfway is an older motel and restaurant, but it was ideal for what we wanted. We were in High Island for the migrating birds, and it was within easy walking distance (5 to 8 minutes) to most of the amazing refuge properties in the town. And less than a 10 minute drive to the others. The rooms were clean, and while old style, they were simple and comfortable. The restaurant, operated by the hotel owners’ family, served excellent Chinese dishes and really good sushi, and they also make a great hamburger! And their breakfast was very good, too: freshly cooked eggs and sausage, hot oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit and cold cereal, too. Good rooms, good food, reasonable price, with nice people, and close to the birds! Two thumbs up!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Sandro

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly family owned motel. Clean, and close to two excellent birding sites.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Quintin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
conveniant
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

4/10 Poor

Sharon

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was junky and cluttered.The room had a musty smell when we entered. There were dead bugs on the window sills. Restaurant was closed but they gave coffee on request in the morning. Staff were nice.Bed was good.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Spotlessly clean, friendly, helpful managers and very close to excellent birding hotspots. The restaurant food was good, Asian/American, but hours were variable. Earlier breakfast service would help birders.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
As bird watchers, this motel could not be more convenient for visiting the bird sanctuaries located in High Island. The room was clean and quiet, and we felt safe during the intense thunderstorm that passed through in the early morning. We appreciated the on-site restaurant, and the food was good. Yes, a work-in-progress as others have stated; it is clear that the family is striving to improve the property. Everyone was helpful and kind. We would stay there again, and for more than one night to be able to explore the area more.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thaddeus

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Youmans

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I like the location and very friendly service.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Ethel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Friendly place but needs some cleaning of outside
Stayed here due to location to the birding areas. I read the reviews about the trash around the office and it was still there. Old parts, machines, etc should be cleaned up. I was given a room across from the office and the road noise was loud.You will need ear plugs to sleep there. The lady that checked me in was very nice and I love the towells. No coffee machines in the room or no coffee in the office.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

2/10 Terrible

Margaret, Fayetteville

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a tough review to write, because I WILL almost certainly stay at the Gulfway again. But I am being candid here so others will have a clear picture. The Gulfway is *not* a great experience. The walls and the towels are paper-thin, the windows only semi-functioning and there are zero amenities. I stayed Weds-Sun and while Weds-Thurs nights were pretty quiet, Fri-Sat saw a full-on tailgating party in the parking lot, complete with open fire BBQs and boom boxes. My response was to close the windows and run the A/C for white noise, which worked fine but might not be everyone's cup of tea. The plug-in air freshner in my room was beyond overpowering - like, nauseatingly strong. I imagine this was to smother some lingering odor that was somehow even worse than the air freshner. HOWEVER, I will say that if you have a very high tolerance for budget travel - and I mean youth-hostel-in-China-in-the-90s high tolerance - then the Gulfway is hands-down the absolute best location/value for birding in and around High Island. Walking distance to Smith Oaks, Eubanks, Boy Scout Woods and several other mini-preserves. 10 minutes to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. The property manager, Jean, is fantastic and super helpful on every level - I genuinely liked the people who run this place and I wish they had more help and resources to upgrade it. So don't pass over the Gulfway if you have a high tolerance for low budget travel. Just go in open-eyed and don't be surprised.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

cameron

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Isabella

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024