Reel ’em Inn

When the Reel ‘em Inn clients first approached Lake Flato, they joked they had “bought a pier that came with a motel.” Sited on the water’s edge of the Aransas Bay, adjacent to a 1,000-foot pier, the project transforms a dilapidated 1950s motor court motel 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 features 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 frame the waterfront views. A thoughtful selection of finishes, furniture, and branded Reel ’em Inn branded accents create an elevated, memorable experience.

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