South Padre Island businesses happy with Spring Break

Aaron Nelsen
The Brownsville Herald

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Chad Hart’s voice is hoarse after a 34-hour shift organizing Spring Break events on South Padre Island for his business, Inertia Tours.

Inertia offers seven-night Spring Break packages that include lodging, meals and a schedule of parties for $400 per person.

With several of the Island’s largest hotels closed and others struggling to fill rooms by late February, the early indication was Spring Break 2009 would flop, but you wouldn’t hear such talk from Hart.

“I won’t rest until the end of April,” Hart said. “And right now I have a group of spring breakers in front of my office waiting to check in.”

Hart says he won’t know until this year’s sales are counted, but he expects to top 5,000 packages sold, up from roughly 4,000 in 2008.

In fact, Inertia sales for Texas Week, usually the busiest week during Spring Break on SPI, surpassed 2008 sales.

“My sales are up 35 percent,” Hart said. “It seemed there were true people here on vacation instead of people just doing laps on the strip.”

In February, the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau indicated that it was anticipating a weak economy would take a toll on students.

The CVB projected 40,000 college students would take their Spring Break vacation on SPI, down from 60,000 in 2008.

On Monday, an upbeat Dan Quandt, executive director of the South Padre Island CVB, said while the overall number of visitors doesn’t look like it will surpass the CVB’s early estimate, Spring Break 2009 should be considered a success.

“Of course, there are some students who’ve yet to arrive,” Quandt said. “But all in all I’d say we did pretty good, probably better than last year.”

Prior to the arrival of students, many Island businesses were concerned what affect the economic recession at home and escalating violence on the border with Mexico would have on students.

Hotel occupancy numbers, sales tax totals and liquor sales won’t be published until April. Until then most seem content with this year’s turnout even if there were fewer spring breakers.

“It went OK,” said Daniel Salazar, general manager of the Isla Grande Beach Resort, formerly the Radisson Resort. “We had about 90 percent occupancy for Texas Week. That’s a little down from last year, but nothing drastic.”

The Isla Grande Beach Resort features one of the Island’s biggest attractions with the Coca Cola Beach, which pulls daily crowds between 12,000 and 18,000.

The Coca Cola Beach wraps up later this week, but Salazar and his staff have already turned their attention to conventioneers.

“The mood is still Spring Break, but I’ve done a 180,” Salazar said. “The posters have come down and most of the students are gone. My focus is now on conferences.”

Belly Flop Contest

In the hopes of luring folks into the pool during our giant pool party at Isla Grand last night, the boss offered all of our staff free drinks to demonstrate their belly flopping skills around midnight.

Not sure how well it went, as I was DJing in another part of the complex. But, it would likely have wreaked havoc on the henna tattoos and body paint they’d picked up in the hopes of winning the most-outrageous-swimwear contest.

Spring Break 2009!

She loves my underwear.

Last night, while trying to sleep, the boss yanked me out of bed to drink some absinthe. This involved pulling my sheets off and evaluating my underwear and wondering aloud if this is the kind my girlfriend required me to wear.

Firstly, there are no underwear requirements in my relationship. Secondly, she loves it.

Mountains of Japanese Food

Our spring break staff is on the same meal plan as our travelers. I think this is for logistical reasons–since it’s simpler than making a whole separate meal. However it came about, it’s fucking brilliant. The boss is adamant about getting local restaurants involved.

All of which means that instead of eating the same rubbish at McDonalds everyday, folks get to eat in actual, sit-down restaurants with nice meals. Also, if we’re buying everyone their meals anyway, we might as well pump the money into the local, island economy.

All the feel-good stuff aside, we ate the hell out of a great lunch.

Cheap Spring Break Deals

http://www.InertiaTours.com
Inertia Tours specializes in Spring Break Deals & Cheap Spring Break trips $499 & less per person.

The following trips fall under this budget:

*South Padre Island Spring Break
*Mazatlan, Mexico on our spring break party buses
*Panama City Beach Spring Break
*Spring Break Ski Trips to Colorado

There are no “strings” nor catches involved in the prices we quote & post on this blog – they are real. You can email me directly chad@inertiatours.com or call me 800 821 2176 x 4 when it is answered.

Questions:

Q: Is airfare included in the $499 price?
A: No. You drive down (well, we have a party bus included for your transportation for Mazatlan, however)

Q: Does it matter how many people we have?
A: Sort of. We can still get you a $499/person trip with 2 people, but it would be for 4 nights instead of 7 to South Padre Island, Texas.

Q: Do I have to be 21 to go?
A: No, 18. All clubs on the Texas & Mazatlan trip are 18+

Q: Why is this spring break trip this cheap?
A: It’s a road trip. We are including a condo, meals, and parties. NO transportation (except Mazatlan from Texas or Arizona departure cities)

Q: Will there be alot of people on this trip?
A: THOUSANDS!!!!

Q: DO I have to pay for this trip all at once?
A: NO! We take a $150/down payment deposit per person (comes off the trip price) and you have 3 weeks to pay off the balance. Those terms are pretty easy to live with & afford as a college student.

Email: chad@inertiatours.com or call 800 821 2176 or visit http://www.inertiatours.com for more details.

Low Cost Spring Break Trips is all we do – and we do it bad ass!!!

Chadillac

The very best spring break hotels & condos for South Padre Spring Break

As my Company Inertia Tours specializes in College Spring Break Trips to South Padre Island, Texas – and my silly ass personally chooses where we put people’s heads in beds – I’m going to give you the 411 what properties are the best places to stay at. We’ll also rate them based on “factors” – or my criteria to judge these properties.

For the purpose of simplicity, we wiil rank each one on a scale of one to five, a (1) means it sucks, a (5) means it’s awesome, ok?

We will rank these factors:

Hook Up Factor: (H) This means your chances of playing kissie face, making out, or general dry humping on spring break at this property (meaning there are other hot people staying here) that you at least have the possibility of meeting

Location (L) This is talking about if you can walk to clubs, grab something to eat easily, or not have people in your condo bitching how far everything is

Party Time (PT) Is this place a good time? Can you find a good pre-party or after-bar here?

Luxury (LUX) – how nice is the place, does it have a good pool, nice inside, good condition, etc

Security IS) are security working this propery on  mission to evict you, cockblock you, or otherwise destroy your spring break?

First of all, I like properties that don’t have a kitchen with a full sized refridgerator. Many people that have only did the international spring break trip are looking for hotel rooms – brothas & sistas….you are CRAZY not to book a condo. A condo has room to have those cute boys over for a drinkie or two, or hang out with prior to the club to make a game plan. Anyone or travel entity that says “we have hotel rooms” are morons, hang up the phone. You need a condo to invite people over that are cool.

Secondly, I have sort of stuck up. I don’t like shithole properties, or accommodations with a rude staff.  If it seems like I have issued an ugly review, more times than not, this is why. Finally, don’t think that I’m here bragging about some place I have a bunch of condos at that I’ll make more money if you stay there. Bozo, I make money already. I’m taking time on my Sunday night to write about good spring break properties to stay at – that’s a personal thing, I’m trying to actually help you making sure you make the best possible choice before you there rather than being full of regrets saying “shit! Inertia Chad was right!”

H, L, PT, LUX, S

Bahia Mar “Resort”

H – 2, L – 1, PT – 4, LUX – 1, S – 2

I overall think this property needs to clean up its act. Security & staff are rude to students, the rooms are dirty, the condos smell moldy, and the place is too far north on the Island. You’ll have to take endless cabs, and don’t buy any bullshit about it being some “headquarters” – that was 10 years ago, this is spring break 2009. If this property sold itself as a dump on the beach, as an “anything goes” property with easy going security, and cheap beer & grub on location (they do have a restaurant) – I’d move this way up the scale – it used to be this property when Mary Ann Mitchell ran it, and she’s not the GM anymore. Some of the condos are cool (the ones right up directly at the ocean)

The Radisson (Sea Island Resort now)

H – 5, L – 5, PT – 3, LUX – 4, S -1

Ok, the Sea Island Resort is tough to dog on – it’s the host hotel to the Full Throttle Beach stage, you can walk to the clubs, and the management here is downright Professional in all ways. Here’s the thing….they have super duper limited condos (almost all hotel rooms, see above) and if you aren’t staying at this property, and you meet someone you want to bring back to hang out – “ain’t gonna happen” – at least not the peak weeks of spring break. Besides this…see my ratings – but condos, again, in my opinion, are key

Saida Towers

H – 5, L – 5, PT – 5, LUX – 4, S -2

Ok, Saida Towers is the powerhouse property of spring break condos – largely because I personally love the place, and http://www.inertiatours.com MOVES the spring break market down there. I push Saida because condos are big, the units are nice, and this condo property is the cloest thing to hotel resort you’ll find (pools, bar, restaurant, etc). Meeting people is easier at Saida than anywhere else in South Padre, and the property is busy any week of spring break. Will you pay more? Bet your ass you will — they sell Ferraris for more than Chevrolets, too. Security can be problematic, but if you bro them down, tip them out, feed them, and overall don’t act like a rich, drunk fraternity boy (which you very well might be, but show them respect) and it’s all good. We have this so-called competitor that tries to roll their staff through there, and security shuts them down, and when we roll in, it’s all high fives….go figure. I love Saida, if you have the money, I’d book a condo here.

Various Hotels on the beach, including:

La Copa, La Quinta, Surf Inn, Island Inn, Padre South

The biggest problem with these hotels is just that – they ARE hotels with standard hotel rooms, or these cheesy rooms with a pull across curtain they call “condos” or suites – you need a condo foo !!!! But Chad, they are cheap! Yep, Wal Mart is cheap too – I say this all the time. So, are all of your clothes from Wal Mart? If you can’t say yes, I ask you “but why college boy, Wal mart is cheap!!!” It’s because while I shop at Wal Mart for paper, diet Coke, and my beer, I sure as shit don’t buy my clothes there. If this is too complicated of a line of reasoning for you to follow – follow this – you get what you pay for. Sure, you have a hotel room for spring break – but nothing else. Let’s see, I have a full condo at Saida Towers, or even a cheap condo at Galleon Bay – and you have a hotel room. All things even, I invite some ladies back to after bar – where do you think they are going to choose? The condos – get one SOMEWHERE

Gulfview Condos

H – 2, L – 3, PT – 3, LUX – 2, S -3

This is a good cheap condo choice. The location is ok, you do have a full condo, and you have a real decent pool and hot tub area. Security can be dicks, but again, respect them and you’ll get it back. This is a real good choice for those on a budget that want to go to on spring break, have 6 or less people, and need to be into the trip for $300 or so per person – Gulfview is ok – we don’t get complaints from here really.

Sheraton Hotel

H – 5 L – 3, PT – 3 LUX – 5, S -1

I can’t simply throw Sheraton into the same category as the other beachfront hotels – it’s the closest thing to a 5 star hotel South Padre Island has. I like this place because rich people stay here. Rich people tend to have more fun since they spend more money, have better breeding (better looking) and are better dressed. I told you I was a snob LOL. The hot tub & pool here are nice, the restaurant I wouldn’t go there to eat at like most hotels, but it’s good for a hotel. Security are way too tough, and people I know that stay here usually say things like “we don’t feel welcome as students there” “the staff is rude to us as spring breakers” – I’m not making this stuff up – it’s what is said. Again, they charge waayyyyyyyyyyy too much for a stupid standard hotel room, and the condos you almost have to win the lottery to afford them.

Micro Hotels (super 8, motel 6, best value inn, flamingo, holiday inn express, comfort suites, etc)

H – 1, L – 1-5, PT – 3, LUX – 1, S -5

One GREAT thing about these as a choice is they usually have none to little security (the good news). The bad news is, they aren’t on the beach (part of the reason you go to the beach is to stay on it I think) and rarely do I run across these big groups of hot guy or hot girls that have booked “The Motel 6″ standard hotel rooms suck.

I get that if you didn’t make any plans and roll in on a Friday night of Texas week and need a place to crash, you take one of these….but if you are reading this blog, you should be making plans ahead of time and you will realize that these places lack condos, are not nice, and they are not on the beach. It’s tough to really say this is a spring break package – it’s a hotel room you really don’t want, and really won’t like.

Various other beachfront condos including:

Inverness, Aquarius, Sunchase, Franke, Summit, Florence I/II, International, etc.

These places are usually a crap shoot – here are the questions you need to ask when you book:

• ask for lots of pictures, and an address so you can google maps it from Saida Towers or Louies Backyard. The closer, the better
• ask about condo wristbands and their enforcement – many people are astounded that when they book a condo, they can’t bring back a chick they met that night – after all, they paid for the condo, right? Well, if the condo tower has a tough condo management or owners assocation, they might “limit” occupancies of condos – and with that, they keep people out that aren’t staying there. BE AWARE
• find out of a major travel company (like Inertia) is pushing it, that means lots of students, duh! A complex that is sparkling brand new but doesn’t work with a student travel company might be dead with students, and that’ll suck. Not always, just know that it could be an issue

If you are looking for a complete package, of course I’d like you to at least look at Inertia Tours for it based on not only this advice, but on the overall value I can provide you for your trip. You won’t be second guessing decisions – it’s all dialed in. BUT if your Aunt Betty has a condo at this XYZ complex, and you want to know the downlow on it, email me: chad@inertiatours.com – I’ll respond within 2 days with any questions you might have – no obiligation to you, or call me 800 821 2176, ext 101

Again, if you’re some jerk off that thinks you are going to sue me or send me the tough guy email for or over my opinion — I’ve got this finger in between my ring & pointer, and that’s for you supastar-it’s a subjective opinion and should not be construed as representing the position of Inertia Tours Inc, even if I AM the head dude.

Call Inertia Tours 800 821 2176, email us: info@ineriatours.com, or visit our website http://www.inertiatours.com/southpadreisland

My favorite day on Spring Break in South Padre Island, Texas

I would get up and take a shower, and roll down to Benny’s by the Bay Cafe, which is located at the Sea Ranch Marina on the southernmost tip of South Padre Island.

Benny is actually Walter (the Owner) its his Dog)

Once there, I’d go & get my self service coffee, then wander over & steal some of Walter’s fresh milk from the fridge for my java. I’d order 3 eggs over hard, double order of his ridiculously good bacon, and a large serving of his freshly made hashed browns (the best I’ve ever had). A slow breakfast and 3 or 4 cups of coffee would do the job.

Next, I’d stop by my friends Bryan’s office to say hello to everyone at Island Services, shooting the breeze for 20 to 30 minutes, eventually sauntering out to get back to the Inertia Tours office located at 1515 Padre Blvd by Club Chaos. Once there, I’d pretend like I was going to whack our Operations Vice President in the balls (he’d be on the phone) chuckle, then fire up email and get them all answered and probably take a few calls.

Eventually, I’d wander over to my brother’s shop http://www.paradisetowingcompany.com and see what’s going on with South Padre Island Towing these days. By this time, it’d be 1 p.m. and time for lunch. I would have put Bryan Pinkerton off until this late, then me, him, and Adam Hancock from VIP Rentals would cruise over to Pirate’s Landing to meet up with South Padre Island Mayor Robert Pinkerton. We’d eat lunch, Bob would ask for a full, huge glass of ice for his Iced Tea like he always does. Bryan & Adam would get soup and Po’ Boys, and I’d order some sort of fish. Bob Friedman the Owner would stop by, we’d chat with him, and soon off we’d go. Light Island Politics would follow and a general discussion of the economy.

After we finish up, I’d head to my condo on south padre across the Queen Isabella Causeway, and grab Miki my retarded little Pom dog and my girlfriend Austin

Miki the Masta!

My lovely girlfriend Austin would come with also, but she’s not good at walking the dog, I’d have to take over:

Austin at the Mini Golf

We’d go for a walk down the beach about 2 miles each way to get our cardio done, then head back to get ready for kiteboarding lessons with http://www.airpadre.com with Jeff Hoxtell. I love to wakeboard, but in South Padre, the water is far too shallow in they bay.

Exhausted, we’d come back and get ready to go to Dinner at Kohnami for the Sushi Boat and some Sake bombs, and finally off to Louies Backyard for a drink before hitting the hay.

Sure, it wouldn’t have to be Spring Break in South Padre to do these things – but I would want it to be – Inertia Tours does it right! Check out my Company http://www.inertiatours.com to book, or call me 800 821 2176 and I’ll book your trip effortlessly for you and your group. My email is chad@inertiatours.com if you prefer

Coca Beach Radisson / Full Throttle Beach Radisson

Well, I just got back from South Padre Island, Texas this last week and weekend with our Rep Zac Layne from Arkansas and we looked the Redisson over from head to toe. The resort is back open after doing a few repairs from Hurricane Dolly.

We also got news from CPC that there will definately be the Coke Beach Stage that is badged the Full Throttle Beach Stage in South Padre Island. More than anything, the positive, upbeat attitude of the Radisson staff about getting back open was phenomenal, and we look forward at http://www.inertiatours.com once again look forward to working with both of these professionals in South Padre Island, Texas.

If you are looking for a really bad ass “Senior Year” spring break for you and all your girls, call me (Chad) at Inertia Tours Spring Break Tour Company. I have unique, superb condos at my firm that are perfect set ups for ladies that want THE perfect spring break trip your last year of college. Big living rooms for playing some drinking games & inviting a cool boy or two back, lots of bathrooms for getting ready, and fabulous views right where you’ll want to be.

Spring Break to South Padre Island is not only safe & fun, it’s ultra tropical for you to get a sweet tan. There is nothing more satisfying than pulling all your friends together, telling them to schuck their loser boyfriends, and do it all crazy one last time.

Inertia will dial in the whole party trip, including red carpet entrances, Souvenir VIP Photos on our red carpet on your first night in town, and celebrity DJ’s spinning live. “we ain’t throwin no stupid party” hehehehe – including our stunning DRESS TO IMPRESS IN YOUR BIKINI …Rehaab at the Pool with DJ Silver & Raab Himself from Viva La Bam off MTV…all at the Radisson Pool Deck!

Call me, I’ll book you quick, easy, and make the process painless. I’ll even convince your Pops you can go to Padre for spring break!

Inertia Chad…F’N…OUT!!!

Spring Break South Padre Island, Texas

Spring Break Travel to South Padre Island, Texas is what http://www.inertiatours.com specializes in.

We really target the “road trip – you drive down” market with trips under $500 per person that include a beachfront luxury condo, meals, and killer nightly event parties in South Padre Island.

As the only spring break travel agency located in Texas, we truly are dedicated to advertising & marketing South Padre Island as the Spring Break destination of choice.

Inertia Tours is a proud member of the South Padre Chamber of Commerce, and our college back to campus party tour is sponsored by the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau directly.

We can proudly offer you a recommendation from nearly any South Padre Island business, as well as the Mayor of South Padre Island, Robert Pinkerton.

Considering South Padre Island for your college spring break in 2009? Here is a GREAT list as to why to consider South Padre this year!

• Huge condos sleep up to 10 per unit – bring everyone & party together!
• Mexico is just 35 minutes away via our Mexico Border Bash motorcoach
• #1 Spring Break destination in the US
• 75,000 spring break students per year in March
• Fly, drive, or take our luxury motorcoaches – something for every taste & budget
• Your cell phone & health insurance will work
• All flights are on Continental, American, or Southwest – scheduled air only
• 18 to party, 21 to drink in South Padre Island.
• Kegs & alcohol are legal on the beach in South Padre Island saving you money from expensive hotel drinks
• You can drive there, which keeps it inexpensive
• Incredible beaches — ranked the 7th best beach in the US by the Travel Channel
• South Padre is further south than Miami, meaning excellent, tropical weather that’s not cold like much of Florida that is on spring break
• Trips are Incredibly Inclusive, with 14 restaurant meals, free party beverages, & more for about the same price as a boring hotel room
• Onsite American Staff 24/7 available, as well as a retail office in Sunchase Mall
• Optional Red Carpet VIP Party Package includes all cover charges, celebrity entertainment & DJ’s, and two optional side trips – all under $100 bucks
• Inertia has no age restrictions on condo rentals – you don’t have to be 18 even 21 like some resorts require

South Padre Island is the perfect spring break choice for large groups, those on a limited travel budget, or for those groups that prefer to keep it in the United States.

Please call us toll free 800 821 2176 or visit our website: www.inertiatours.com/southpadreisland

for friendly, down-home Texan  advice on our destination!

Inertia Chad…OUT!

chad@inertiatours.com