Located on South Padre Island in South Texas, Upper Deck Hotel & Bar has been under the ownership of Ginny Stapleton since 2021. The establishment currently has sixteen standard hotel rooms and three two-bedroom suites that are currently available year-round for patrons to reserve. The owner, Ginny, says that the building has a tropical theme with "retro touches" on both the interior and exterior. The owner also mentions that Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is often considered an attraction itself, in light of its adjoining restaurant and bar, swimming pool, and deck area where guests can lounge. Hotel Management and ownership intends for everyone to feel comfortable and to have a good time during their stay at Upper Deck Hotel & Bar.
Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is situated on South Padre Island in the southernmost region of Texas. A total of 16 standard rooms are presently available, which are divided into the following classifications based on their features: king, deluxe king, double queen, accessible queen and double full. The hotel also offers three two-bedroom suites, two of which are equipped with two bedrooms and one bathroom, while the other is a beach house that contains two bedrooms and two bathrooms. With the exception of the beach house, which is a stand-alone accommodation, all of the other units are located in the main portion of the four connected two-story buildings. The hotel owner characterizes both the interior and exterior of the property as "quirky, quaint, and retro." The owner has added numerous vintage-style appliances such as microwaves and refrigerators to enhance the rooms.
Ginny has observed that the most popular accommodations are rooms 24, 25, 34, and 35. She explains, "Rooms 34 and 35 are fun because they've been fully remodeled in a 1950's retro theme, and they have full-size vintage appliances in their kitchens." As for units 24 and 25, these are reportedly more popular on account of their comparatively larger size combined with the fact that they are facing the front of the property, which gives them a larger deck area as well.
Aside from the accommodations that Upper Deck Hotel & Bar offers for reservation, there are several significant common areas, including two bars, the aforementioned deck area, a hot tub, and a heated/chilled swimming pool. In addition to being available for guests of the hotel, the swimming pool is also open to patrons of the bar. The premises also features a function and a garden patio in a relatively more secluded location on the grounds. The garden patio offers lawn sofas for guests and visitors to use at their leisure. It should also be noted that there is an on-site restaurant that is also open to the general public. Breakfast is served at the restaurant portion of the bar from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., and lunch and dinner proceed from the conclusion of breakfast until 10:00 p.m. On the weekends, the kitchen remains open until 11:00 p.m. Some of the items that one can find on the menu include pizza, wings, burgers, salads, and a variety of daily specials. The owner notes that her on-site restaurant offers "the only Monte Cristo on the island." With regard to the hours of operation, the bar and pool, are open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The Upper Deck Hotel & Bar grounds are enveloped by "tropical landscapes," as described by management. The owner has pointed out that the property is on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, and the more urban portion of the island, where the business is located, stretches about six miles long. And, the general vicinity is fairly residential. Ginny considers Upper Deck Hotel & Bar to be a destination in and of itself; however, she mentions that she will happily suggest nearby attractions to those who are interested. For those who plan on spending time at the beach, the Hotel has a complimentary lending library of beach supplies for use. A fair amount of dining options can be found nearby as well. While the owner's foremost recommendation of places to eat is the on-site restaurant, she also directs patrons to D' Pizza Joint, Mahi Nic's, and Padre Brewing Company.
The owner of Upper Deck Hotel & Bar, Ginny Stapleton, "want[s] everyone to have a good time; it's a place for everyone." The hotel welcomes a diverse demographic of visitors. In an effort to provide a comfortable experience for her guests, Hotel staff makes an effort to welcome patrons upon arrival and show them to their rooms, giving them a tour of the property. Ginny remarks that she interacts with guests frequently. One former guest of the establishment mentioned that the owner's hospitality was "personable and accommodating." In addition to the quality of service that is provided, Ginny believes that the hotel's various amenities contribute to the overall experience that one can have at Upper Deck Hotel & Bar.
Ginny says that the property is "unique in that a lot of places are either indoor or outdoor, but this place is both, making it the perfect all-weather location." She presumes that Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is most known for having a "relaxed vacation vibe" and for providing "good food, great drinks, and the best entertainment." Events are often held at one or both of the on-site bars or on the deck area. Live music is featured on Tuesdays through Sundays, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the deck, weather permitting. Monday night is karaoke night. If the weather is bad, music and events are moved indoors. Management also notes that they have recently started hosting trivia nights, and other events, including drag shows and dueling pianos are on the schedule at least once a month. Most of these events take place in the back bar, which staff and management refers to as the Piano Bar. One individual commented in a review about their experience with the events at the Upper Deck, saying, "We came because we heard the live music from our condo. Great music, cheap beer, and good food."
The Upper Deck Hotel & Bar has a few mandatory policies for all guests and patrons and everyone who visits the property is expected to abide by these guidelines. One requirement is that all guests of the hotel and patrons of the restaurant and bar must be over the age of 21. Additionally, the Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is a pet-friendly establishment, but there is a $50.00 fee per pet per visit. And, while smoking is prohibited inside the hotel rooms, bars and restaurant, patrons are allowed to do so outside on the deck and outside on the hotel grounds.
The primary demographic for the Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is people between the ages of 35 and 44 which is aided by the establishments 21 and over age restriction. According to the owner, a large fraction of her visitors are repeat guests. The busiest season of operation for the property is from mid-May to mid-August with the month of October showing significant business as well. "However," says the owner, "we are noticing that the 'season' has really become year-round."
In 1983, when the hotel was initially constructed, the Upper Deck Hotel & Bar was originally known as Lyle's Deck, according to the present owner of the business, Ginny Stapleton. It then transitioned into Babe's Oasis before becoming Charlie's Island Hideaway, and ultimately became The Upper Deck Hotel & Bar.
The property was originally built as a series of duplexes that were purchased by one owner and converted into a hotel in 1984. It wasn't until August 2021 that Ginny purchased the property. "It's an adorable little property and I was afraid it would become something else," she says. The facilities have undergone several updates under the new ownership, including re-painting the previously dark gray coloring of the interior with retro beach-themed colors. Ginny's favorite part about her job is the people. She explains, "[Upper Deck Hotel & Bar] is a lot of people's favorite place to go, and I'm proud of that."
With regard to future plans, Ginny says that the business is an "ever-evolving project" because there are still many things that she wants to do with it. She is presently working on creating an on-site gift shop and a retail store that will be called Gulf Coast Goods.
120 E Atol St
South Padre Island, Texas 78597
United States
Retro Vintage
Ginny Stapleton
