Hotel Lucine – Galveston, Texas
Mid-century motel nostalgia meets contemporary Gulf Coast cool.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 1963 motor-court motel that captures the spirit of America’s roadside hospitality revival.
● Thoughtfully redesigned by Austin-based Kartwheel Studio, blending mid-century architecture with playful coastal interiors.
● A vibrant social hub where rooftop cocktails, local dining and community come together just steps from the Gulf of Mexico.
A Mid-Century Icon Reimagined
Originally opened as the Treasure Isle Motel in 1963, Hotel Lucine breathes new life into one of Galveston’s classic roadside landmarks. Rather than erasing its past, the restoration embraces the building’s low-slung motor-court architecture, transforming it into a contemporary boutique hotel that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. The result is a place where retro charm, thoughtful design and laid-back Gulf Coast living exist in perfect balance.
Coastal Design with Character
Austin-based Kartwheel Studio approached the renovation with remarkable restraint, preserving the motel’s original spirit while introducing a bright, contemporary aesthetic. Guest rooms feel like compact beach houses, filled with natural light, warm timber, soft pastel tones and carefully selected vintage-inspired details. Several rooms overlook the courtyard pool and the Gulf beyond, reinforcing the hotel’s effortless connection to the coastline. Every space feels relaxed, cheerful and distinctly Texan without slipping into cliché.
More Than a Hotel
Hotel Lucine was designed as much for Galveston’s residents as for its guests. The Den serves as an informal living room where mornings begin over locally roasted coffee and afternoons drift into relaxed conversation. As the sun sets, the rooftop bar becomes one of the city’s favourite gathering places, pairing classic cocktails with sweeping 180-degree views across the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the property, the atmosphere feels welcoming and sociable—less like a hotel and more like the kind of house where everyone hopes they’re invited back.
A Fresh Take on Gulf Coast Dining
At the heart of the hotel is The Fancy, whose self-described ‘American Fine-ish Dining’ perfectly captures Hotel Lucine’s playful personality. Executive chef Leila Ortiz, formerly of New York’s acclaimed Momofuku Noodle Bar, brings refined technique to locally sourced Gulf Coast ingredients without unnecessary formality. Together with an excellent wine list and inventive cocktails, the restaurant has quickly established itself as one of Galveston’s most exciting dining destinations, completing a hotel that celebrates local creativity, community and contemporary coastal hospitality.
