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Relaxed Hotel Less than a Mile from the Beach

Relaxed Mustang Island, Texas, is located less than a mile from the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. You can hear the water from the wide porches of Plantation Suites & Conference Center in Port Aransas. The porches, which wrap all the way around the first and second floors of the sunshine-colored hotel, are lined with rocking chairs. You can stop here to kick back and watch the sunsets over Plantation Suites’ landscaped grounds lined with palms.

There’s plenty to do on the property: if you’ve been out fishing for the day, you can bring your catch back and prepare it in the onsite fish-cleaning house. There's also a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub.

You’ll retire each night to a spa king or double-queen suite. Each morning, a complimentary continental breakfast is served downstairs in the dining area.

Port Aransas, Texas: Sunny Beach Town with Excellent Fishing

Port Aransas is located at the northern end of Mustang Island, a narrow landmass that stretches for 18 miles off the Gulf Coast in Texas. The area gets frequent sunshine and is lined with sparsely populated public beaches, and it’s become popular with spring-breaking college students. They frequent the beachside clubs and bars, or rent kayaks and surfboards to paddle through the waves.

Fishing is a major pastime here; more than 20 fishing tournaments are based in Port Aransas, and you can catch tuna, kingfish, and marlin out on the water as dolphins jump nearby. When you return to land, bring your catch to one of the island eateries and they’ll often grill it for you on the spot.

There are 1,200 acres of tidal flats and undeveloped shoreland to explore at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve, which features three miles of hiking and biking trails and boardwalks. Head up to one of the lookout towers and you can often spot rare and endangered birds such as the Piping Plover, a stout shorebird with an appetite for crustaceans.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.