Wake up, brew a Keurig coffee, and step out onto the 24-ft balcony. The Gulf and the sunrise are already waiting. Useazatt View is a bright, flip-flop-themed 2BR/2BA Gulf-front condo on Galveston's iconic Seawall, right across the street from the sand. Two full baths mean no morning lineup, and the kitchen is stocked down to the dish towels. Upfront pricing, no surprises, and a host who lives on the island and answers every text. Cross the causeway. Exhale.
THE VIEW
Useazatt View sits on the 3rd floor at By The Sea Condominiums, high enough to take in the whole sweep of the Gulf. The living area, dining area, kitchen, and south bedroom all face the water. Two sets of 11-foot double-paned sliders, one in the living area and one in the south bedroom, open onto a 24-foot private balcony, and they do a great job of keeping the Seawall traffic noise outside. Mornings here have a rhythm: coffee, balcony, sunrise. At night, the moonlight on the water puts on its own show.
SLEEP & BATHS
Two bedrooms, each with a queen bed, and two full bathrooms, so two couples (or parents and kids) each get their own. Need room for one more? There's a queen-size self-inflating air mattress, plus a spare sheet set, extra pillows, and blankets in the closet. Both beds are fully made up and ready for you when you arrive. We leave five sets of bath towels for four guests, because running out of towels shouldn't be something you think about on vacation. A hair dryer, iron, and ironing board are here too, so you can pack lighter.
THE KITCHEN
Just add food and clothes and enjoy. You'll find a Keurig with pods, an ice maker, a crock pot, and all the pots, pans, and dishes you need to cook a real meal. We even thought of plastic wine glasses for the pool and the balcony (don't worry, there are real glass ones too). We stock the small stuff generously too, right down to the foil, paper plates, and dish towels. Being under-supplied at a rental is a pet peeve of ours, so we make sure you're never short.
BEACH DAYS
The beach is literally across the street, with a staircase right at the Seawall. No driving, no parking hassle. Load up our beach cart with the 22-can wheeled cooler and two fold-up beach chairs, and it's one trip to the sand. Done.
COMPLIMENTARY BEACH SETUP
In season, your stay includes a free beach setup pass through our partner, Bennett's Beach Service. You get an umbrella and two chairs set up on the sand for you each day, a $40/day value. All you have to do is show up. (Seasonal: weekends only in October, weather permitting.) We'll send your pass and directions in your pre-arrival email.
THE BUILDING
A shared pool with plenty of seating, propane grills under a shaded gazebo, a tennis court, a Gulf-front workout room, and a community room. The friendly front desk staff are there 24/7 and can often suggest a good place to eat or something fun to do. Grab a luggage cart in the lobby, and there's daily trash pickup at 2:00 p.m. right at your door. Two interior elevators, and card-operated washers and dryers on-site, so you can pack half as much.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
You're on a quieter stretch of the Seawall, just outside the busiest part of the island. Walk to Walmart, two convenience stores, McNeal's Tavern & Eatery, and our favorite, Mel's Blue Plate Express, for a burger and homemade onion rings to eat on the balcony. The $1 Seawall trolley stops four blocks east on 69th Street (our blocks are short) and connects to the historic Strand District. Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Waterpark are 2 miles away, and Houston is about an hour's drive.
THE DECOR
After 25 years of neutral military-housing walls, Cat finally got to paint. The purple, orange, and teal flip-flop theme is pure joy, and guests tell us they love it too. Bright, playful, and spotless.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Parking: Stop at the front desk when you arrive to register your vehicle's make and model and buy a one-time $35 parking pass plus tax (card only, no cash). Two vehicles per condo.
• Rental agreement: After booking, we'll email you a link to a short electronic rental contract. Please sign it and attach a copy of a valid government-issued ID within 48 hours. Once it's completed, we'll both get an archived copy.
• Minimum stay: 2 nights. Some holiday weekends and special events require 3 nights.
• Up to 4 guests. Please leave pets at home. No smoking inside the condo; cigarette receptacles are located on the property. Quiet hours start at 10 p.m.
• Kid-friendly: works well for families with kids around 5–12. Please note that we don't provide a pack-n-play or high chair.
• Galveston STR Registration: GVR-00891
YOUR HOSTS
We're Cat & Jack, a retired Air Force family who crossed the causeway, felt our worries lessen, and never looked back. We live five minutes away, our housekeeper Christine has cared for this condo since 2007, and we answer every call and text. Parking is $35 plus tax, we tell you that upfront, and there are never any hidden fees.