PORT ARANSAS, Texas – When you first arrive at Port Royal, here on Mustang Island, near the city of Corpus Christi, you roll down the windows and inhale the salty, sea breeze and you feel your cares already melting away.
Granted, the exterior is a little rough – following 2017’s Hurricane Harvey – but once you settle into your condo and walk out to the swimming pool, you know the journey here was worth all the effort.
After all, when you stay at a resort on 25 acres, south of Port Aransas proper, that features the largest lagoon pool in in the Lone Star State, you can enter its depths on a hot and humid summer day. Also, there are water slides, a spray pad, and an Olympic-sized lap pool.
MONDO CONDOS
The condominiums at Port Royal are decorated distinctly with open floor plans. This includes kitchens that flow into the main living space and dining area.
The beds were very comfortable and the bathrooms were just what was required for a family of five. The kitchens were large enough for us to cook meals each night. One idea? A shrimp boil. Just be sure to bring a cooking pot along – and some corn-on-the-cob and, well, you know the rest.
FAMILY FARE AND FOOD FOR ONE AND ALL
While my family was here we had a chance to enjoy both the Port Royal Strong food truck on the property – which offered delicious pizzas, eagerly devoured by my kids – and this was open all day.
As for Restaurant 361, breakfast, lunch and dinner were all on hand and offered delicious options including Gulf seafood, lip-smacking hamburgers, Dagwood-minded sandwiches and a ribeye that was truly mouth-watering.
And if you are in the cooling waters of the enormous Port Royal swimming pool, you can order alcoholic drinks at the Cabana Bar from signature pina coladas and Tequila sunrises to all sorts of beer and liquor options.
Our favorite bartender, Ramsie Bartlet, moved to Port Aransas from Arizona and learned on the job. Now Ramsie, who is also a published author, talks to people from all over, serves fantastic drinks and frozen treats and writes novels in her spare time, inspired by the beach environment at Port Royal and the surrounding seaside community.
"Whether serving a Pina Colada, a dirty monkey, an ice cream sandwich, a smoothie, a margarita or an iced coffee, I spend my days contributing to people's experience and merriment," Bartlet said.
And there is also a Frozen Station, were cold treats are offered, to help beat the heat, for kids and kids-at-heart.
And while we were there, at this desirable beachfront condo resort strictly to enjoy the pool, the beach and the sandy environs at Port Royal and in Port Aransas, Port Royal Ocean Resort also offers meeting space for office retreats, meetings and other events, including weddings.
Sales staff Ruby Acuna and Sarah Perez are eager to help you organize your next even at Port Royal.
As for my family and I, we will definitely be taking another trip sometime soon and staying at Port Royal. It’s the place to relax when you are down on the Texas Gulf Coast.
For more information go to www.port-royal.com.