re: South Padre Island or Port Aransas recommendations?

Palmilla Beach is the place to stay in Port A. They’ve got everything from condos to large homes for rent. The restaurant and bar on property are good. The huge pool and pool bar/grill are always a welcome respite from the beach. They rent four seater golf carts, beach bikes, etc. You can pretty much park your car when your check-in and drive your golf cart up and down the beach and into town.

The best part of Palmilla Beach are the private beach chairs set up in front of the resort each morning and the air conditioned bathrooms on the beach for Palmilla guests. For my money, I’d skip the extra drive time to SPI and stay at Palmilla Beach every time.