The property offers a nostalgic, refined space for guests to explore
Galveston’s vibrant character preserves island history with the
revitalization of a 1960s motor court
GALVESTON, TX (Oct. 25, 2023) – A group of hospitality industry
veterans with strong ties to Galveston announce the opening date for
Hotel Lucine [4], 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
mid-century spirit has 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, 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 or to book a room, please visit
hotellucine.com [5]. Follow Hotel Lucine on Instagram @hotellucine [6]
and @thefancytx [7] for special announcements like new packages and
additions to the team.
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About Hotel Lucine
Hotel Lucine is a family-owned and operated, fully revitalized, 61-room
boutique hotel located in the motor court structure originally built as
Treasure Isle Motel in the 1960s. The hotel features a pool and patio, a
rooftop bar, and a restaurant anchored by some of the top culinary and
cocktail talent in the region. Hotel Lucine will open to the public
beginning Nov. 10, at 1002 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, Texas. To book a
stay or learn more about Hotel Lucine, please visit hotellucine.com/
[10] or follow along at @hotellucine [11].
About The Fancy
The Fancy is an “American Fine-ish Dining” restaurant located at
Hotel Lucine at 1002 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, Texas. The Fancy is
focused on using local ingredients with a robust wine and cocktail menu
paired with the cuisine. Opening Nov. 14, The Fancy will be open for
dinner service from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Lunch and weekend brunch
services on Saturday and Sunday will begin in February. Reservations can
be made via OpenTable [12] or by calling The Fancy at (409) 867-5510.
For more information, follow The Fancy at @thefancytx [13].
