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Many visitors choose to stay downtown to be close to the Alamo, River Walk, museums, and other attractions. Once you're downtown, almost everything is accessible on foot or via river taxi or trolley; a car isn't needed and parking can be expensive. The city has one shuttle service from the airport that serves all downtown hotels ($14 one way, $24 round-trip). It runs from 7 am to 11 pm right from the airport. Several national chain hotels are concentrated along the River Walk and adjacent to the convention center. The Menger and Crockett hotels lead the list of historic hotels next to the Alamo. In recent years several boutique hotels have opened up, promoting spa weekends and indulgent getaways. Downtown has also seen the opening of some larger, value-oriented and extended-stay chains.
Several full-service resorts within the city limits, most near Sea World and Fiesta Texas amusement park, offer golf, tennis, on-site water parks, children's activities, restaurants, and the services you'd expect from a resort—a good option for families. Most major resorts are a 15- to 20-minute drive from downtown.
Bed-and-breakfasts are concentrated in a few of the national historic districts but still offer a range of mid-range and pricier room options. Virtually all are no-smoking, and only a few accept children younger than 12.
San Antonio is a major convention destination, so it's feast or famine for hotel rooms; peak seasons are generally spring and late fall. At the right time you can get some great deals for top-quality accommodations, but during special events (Fiesta week, the NCAA Final Four tournament, during major conventions) expect to pay top dollar and make reservations months in advance. Because of the city's appeal for business travelers, you can actually find lower rates on weekends at many hotels.
This gorgeous bed-and-breakfast sits on 1½ acres that back up to a quiet section of the river running through the King William Historic District. Seven rooms and three suites are beautifully appointed. Modern conveniences include flat-panel TVs with digital cable and wireless high-speed Internet access; all "Superior" rooms and suites have electric log fireplaces.
With a clean, contemporary design and excellent location, the Canopy by Hilton has almost everything you would want for a comfortable stay right on the River Walk. It's a stellar location, with the Alamo, La Villita Historic Arts Village, and San Fernando Cathedral only a half-mile away. Guest rooms are spacious and well-appointed with a sharp yet colorful design. If you want a balcony facing the River Walk, be sure to request it when booking. There is a fitness center, but no pool. The open-air Domingo's restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with a wide variety of American and Tex-Mex specialties in a lovely River Walk setting. The on-site Otro Bar is known for their agave cocktails on a bright, colorful elevated terrace overlooking the River Walk, perfect for conversation and relaxing with a drink.
A towering complex with a central location on the busiest part of the River Walk, this Hilton is steps away from many top restaurants and attractions in the city. Ask for a balcony room on the River Walk side and watch the tour boats and river shuttles go by. It is within easy walking distance of the Shops at Rivercenter, the Alamo, and the Briscoe Western Art Museum is one street over. Service and amenities are top-notch, like the outdoor pool and fitness center. The hotel is home to Flume Pizzaria and Wine Bar, and Durty Nelly's Irish Pub.
A 15-minute drive northwest of downtown, you'll find this full-service resort at the base of Texas Hill Country. SeaWorld is only a mile away, with complimentary shuttle service to and from the park on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 am to 10 pm.
The hip Hotel Havana is a boutique oasis on the north end of the River Walk with colorful Cuban-inspired flair and bold artwork housed in its rather modest outward appearance. Originally built in 1914 as a hotel residence by a local grocer, the hotel has changed hands numerous times over the past century, transforming the grand Mediterranean Revival building into a secluded destination along the far reaches of the River Walk. Rooms are sparse but meticulously outfitted with vibrant vintage furnishings and decor, and each room has its own unique touches. A stay at this chic-yet-cozy accommodation isn't complete without a stop at its riverside restaurant, Ocho, which sits just overlooking the river as a sort of robin's-egg blue aviary serving up a sexy selection of cocktails and a menu of Latin-influenced snacks and dishes.
Since its 1859 opening, the famous Menger has lodged the likes of Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and Oscar Wilde, and today you'll still be the envy of many an overheated tourist as you stroll from the Alamo into the cool lobby and up to your room (perhaps with a view of the Alamo). The hotel has an old-world, elegant three-story Victorian lobby, a sunny dining room, and a small but lush courtyard. There's a large outdoor pool heated from November through February. The Colonial Room restaurant is a Victorian-era gem, with a popular Sunday brunch and famous mango ice cream. Menger's must-see bar, built in 1887, is styled after the pub at the House of Lords in London.
