The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay Sets New Standard in Resort Accommodations for Texas Gulf Coast

ROCKPORT, Texas – The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay is a Victorian-style boutique hotel designed to serve Texas Gulf Coast visitors seeking a quality upper-middle-scale resort hotel. Overlooking the bay, this new 78-room resort is at the entrance to Fulton Harbor in Rockport.

Amenities at The Lighthouse Inn include 36 guest rooms with two queen beds and a mini-refrigerator, plus 42 suites with fully equipped kitchens, king-size beds and sleeper sofas. Each room features a private balcony with rockers, microwave, CD player and high-speed Internet access.

Developed by Heritage Holdings Inc. and managed by Hospitality Management Corp., both based in Dallas, The Lighthouse Inn is designed to cater to leisure and corporate travelers, as well as extended-stay guests. Served by the Corpus Christi International airport 35 miles away, the hotel is also within easy driving distance of Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

“The Rockport area has long been a popular coastal destination, not just for residents of nearby Texas cities, but also for travelers from all over the United States and Canada,” said James “Rocky” Reese, president of Heritage Holdings. “There have not been accommodations, however, that provided the level of service and quality that appeals to both the business and more sophisticated leisure travelers to the area. We have designed the Lighthouse Inn to serve this market segment.”

Guests will also enjoy The Palm Room, a full-service restaurant and lounge, and a landscaped courtyard with a pool and hot tub. Other features include a lighted fishing pier, a fitness center with bay views, The Mercantile gift shop and an intimate library adjacent to the lobby. Business travelers will have access to two spacious conference rooms overlooking the bay, one with a private balcony.

Initially known for boat building and commercial fishing, Rockport’s leading industry today is tourism. The temperate climate and many activities throughout the year make it an ideal destination for a variety of tourists. Recreational activities include fishing, boating, golf, swimming and birding. Other popular attractions include art galleries, museums, shopping and several festivals throughout the year.

Because of the many activities available to visitors, Rockport is consistently a popular destination. A recent competitive property analysis revealed that hotel occupancy and room rates have remained strong in the area, despite overall industry declines in the past two years. Another study done Texas’ tourism agency, found that attractions in nearby Corpus Christi were two of the 20 most popular Texas visitor destinations – the Texas State Aquarium and the U.S.S. Lexington floating museum. The Lighthouse Inn is designed to capitalize on this strong consumer demand by providing accommodations and services at levels that have not before been available in its market.

Rockport is on the Texas Gulf Coast between the Copano and Aransas bays, and The Lighthouse Inn is at 200 S. Fulton Beach Road, six blocks east of State Highway 35. For information and reservations call 866-790-VIEW (8439), visit www.lighthousetexas.com, or contact your travel agent.