USS Flagship Hotel

The USS Flagship Hotel was a seven-story structure with 225 rooms built directly over the Gulf of Mexico on the Pleasure Pier. The building extended from the pier into the water, placing guests right above the ocean.

Developer James E. Lyon opened the hotel in 1965 under a 40-year lease agreement for the Pleasure Pier. The structure operated until Hurricane Ike caused severe damage in 2008, leading to its permanent closure.

The establishment marked Galveston's shift toward modern tourism, showing how the city transformed its waterfront into a destination for leisure travelers. Guests staying here experienced the place where local hospitality embraced a new, more commercial direction.

Access to the hotel required crossing the Pleasure Pier, so visits were best during calm weather and good conditions. Being built over water meant the structure faced constant moisture exposure and required ongoing maintenance.

This was the only major hotel in North America built entirely over water, extending directly from the Pleasure Pier into the Gulf. The unusual construction made it a coastal landmark and attracted guests seeking the rare experience of sleeping above the ocean.

Location: Galveston

Official opening: 1965

GPS coordinates: 29.28694,-94.79000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54