The property offers a nostalgic, refined space for guests to explore Galveston’s vibrant character and preserves island history with the revitalization of a 1960s motor court
GALVESTON, TX (Oct. 27, 2023) – A group of hospitality industry veterans with strong ties to Galveston announce the opening date for Hotel Lucine, a 61-room boutique hotel situated at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Guests are now able to book stays beginning Friday, Nov. 10. Located on 10th Street and Seawall Boulevard in a structure that was originally the Treasure Isle Motel, the 1960s motor court has been fully revitalized and transformed into a modern oasis created as much for locals as visitors.
Designed by Austin-based Kartwheel Studio, the new hotel offers a cozy retreat for guests with a principal facade that opens toward the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel’s premier on-site restaurant, The Fancy, is a 56-seat “American Fine-ish Dining” restaurant led by Houston’s chef Leila Ortiz. Opening Nov. 14, The Fancy offers patrons a French-adjacent menu that is true to the restaurant’s Galveston roots while conjuring the warm nostalgia of a family dinner party. At the heart of the property, the pool and patio provide a central communal area that carries over into the sophisticated yet inviting Den area. The Den is another full-service dining space inside Hotel Lucine that offers coffee in the morning, an afternoon meal or a cocktail at night. Offering 180-degree unobstructed ocean views, Hotel Lucine also boasts the largest beachfront rooftop bar in Galveston, with an impressive cocktail program from beverage director Jesse Rubio. Located off the courtyard, The Lanai serves as a multipurpose dining and event space for executive meetings, cocktail events and private dining, as well as a greenroom for visiting musicians, among other uses.
“We’re so excited to finally introduce Hotel Lucine to Galveston,” said Hotel Lucine partner Keath Jacoby, “I feel so privileged to create a space like Hotel Lucine in the very community that raised me and to continue sharing my love for Galveston with travelers and locals alike.”
Hotel Lucine partners include Dave Jacoby, an accomplished, Galveston-based finance and hospitality development professional who also served as president of the board of the Galveston Historical Foundation; Robert Marcus, a real estate and hotel operations, development and finance professional; and Galveston native Keath Jacoby, a marketing and branding executive who helped launch Vision Galveston. Additional partners on the project include marketing, branding and promotions entrepreneur Shawn Ullman and experienced financial executive and entrepreneur Jeffrey Solomon. Hotel Lucine’s architectural and interior design was led by the multidisciplinary design studio Karthweel Studios. Branding and identity were provided by Preacher, a full-service creative company based in Austin.
“We hope to make Hotel Lucine a hangout where our neighbors and visitors can find culture, fun, and culinary and cocktail delights all in one place,” added partner Robert Marcus. “We look forward to being a seaside hideaway that folks never want to leave.”
Many original aspects of the low-slung, two-story structure’s mid-century spirit have been incorporated into the new vision for Hotel Lucine. The classic U-shaped courtyard underscores the hotel’s intimate layout and creates a lively, people-centric atmosphere that promotes gathering and shared experiences. Colorful concrete tiles used most notably around the pool, courtyard, The Den and The Fancy have been sourced from Ladrilleria Favilli, a proudly family-owned and operated tile business based in Granada, Nicaragua, led by Maria Favilli. Originally developed by brothers Saul and Ben Kotin in 1963 as the Treasure Isle Motel, Hotel Lucine is the oldest remaining of a generation of midcentury beachfront motels in Galveston. In addition to the Treasure Isle Motel, the Kotin brothers and their lead architect, Tibor Beerman, made many contributions to their beloved community, including the Galveston County Courthouse, Galveston Junior College and Moody National Bank.
“No other town on the Texas coast has the assets, charm, history or weirdness to pull this off,” said partner Dave Jacoby. “Galveston has a unique vibe that you just can’t build new or recreate in another coastal town and we feel so grateful to share in this passion project with the larger community that sustains the island’s spirit.”
Leading the hotel’s dynamic culinary program is executive chef Leila Ortiz. Ortiz oversees and manages the kitchen’s day-to-day operations at the hotel, including the all-day menu at The Den, the rooftop bar and pool, and The Fancy. Ortiz comes to Hotel Lucine after stints abroad in the kitchens of the Sheraton and Westin Hotels and at Bludorn in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Her culinary experience also covers roles as sous chef of New York’s Momofuku Noodle Bar and as sous chef and operations manager for Houston’s UBPreserv. With Texas roots and global experience, Ortiz’s background makes her a natural fit for Hotel Lucine, which draws inspiration, creativity and guests from both near and far. Serving as Hotel Lucine’s beverage director, Jesse Rubio oversees a dynamic team of barkeeps across the Lucine property. Born and raised in Galveston, Rubio is a classically trained barkeep with a creative eye and experience in craft cocktails and classics — both original and modern.
For more information on Hotel Lucine, please visit hotellucine.com. Follow Hotel Lucine on Instagram @hotellucine and @thefancytx for special announcements like new packages and additions to the team.
