500 Padre Blvd. South, South Padre Island, 800-292-7704, islagrand.com. Enjoy cabanas and views of the Gulf from the pool at Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront.

I last went to South Padre Island (SPI) in Texas 11 years ago with my family. I was amazed at how much the small town has changed since then, and it reminded me of the Hamptons in Long Island.