Reel ’em Inn

When the Reel ‘em Inn clients first approached the design team, they joked they had “bought a pier that came with a motel.” The project is a renovation of a dilapidated 1950s motor court motel sited on the water’s edge of the Aransas Bay with a 1000-foot pier into a lodging experience that is the first of its kind in Rockport, Texas. Designed to be an elevated yet casual retreat for visitors and families, the motel was updated with a contemporary coastal aesthetic.

While the design stayed true to the hotel’s original footprint, the result is a transformation that connects visitors to the water more than ever. New larger windows bring in more daylight and showcase the waterfront view, and a thoughtful selection of finishes and furniture and fun customized Reel’ Em Inn branded accents throughout create an updated, memorable experience.

Wood decks and cabana-like shade structures create outdoor areas for visitors to relax, unwind, and enjoy the connection to the water. The design focused on private and informal public gathering spaces that celebrate community.