26 Best Hotels in San Antonio, Texas

Make a list of the things you'd look for in a luxury, full-service resort, and chances are La Cantera has it. The ultimate in privacy and personalized service is a stay at the Villas, La Cantera's retreat within a retreat. It's like your own serene neighborhood, where each beautifully appointed villa is named for an iconic Texas ranch.

This exceptional boutique hotel is the only all-suites hotel on the River Walk. It takes visitors away from the hustle and bustle and gives them the space to relax in luxury. The decor is contemporary but warm, with rooms and common areas featuring exposed brick and stone walls. The service is solid and not too fussy. Spacious suites are beautifully appointed, some with city views and some with River Walk views. There is a rooftop pool and hot tub. The on-site Ambler restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, bar bites, and craft cocktails.

This eminent luxury three-story hotel made the Guinness Book of World Records when its 3.2-million-pound brick bulk was moved six blocks in 1985 to its present location; it's now the pinnacle of high-end boutique hotels in San Antonio. It offers beautifully designed rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi and premium amenities, such as pillow-top bedding, baths with marble and brass appointments, and plush bathrobes. Enjoy fine dining from NONNA Osteria featuring northern Italian cuisine, and the Fairmount Rooftop Oyster Bar. The hotel is not right on the River Walk, but it's fairly close; it's near the convention center and La Villita's shops and restaurants, too.

There are no superlatives left to describe the wonder that is Hotel Emma, located in the original 1894 Pearl brewhouse and providing luxurious guest rooms and exemplary service. Guest rooms and suites have baths featuring handmade Spanish porcelain tiles, beds with luxury linens, and a stocked Ice Box (an homage to South Texas neighborhood icehouses) and in-room pantry with South Texas treats. Enjoy chef John Brand's marvelous creations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or brunch at on-site restaurant Supper, then relax at the dramatic city bar Sternewirth Tavern & Club Room off the lobby. Don't miss the lovely Curio, one of the best hotel gift shops anywhere.

Set among the bubbling streams and tree-covered hills of Cibolo Canyons, the JW Marriott San Antonio Resort & Spa is a magnificent family escape and a premier golf destination.

The ultimate spa getaway on the River Walk, luxury accommodations and services are offered at this hotel in the shell of the 19th-century L. Frank Saddlery Building. Mokara has sleekly modern yet warm rooms and suites, with 12-foot ceilings, whirlpool baths, and separate walk-in showers. Plush linens and posh toiletries are similarly luxurious. Rooms also have hardwood floors, large leather-top desks, Harman Kardon wireless speakers, and espresso machines. River Walk–facing rooms have private balconies. The 17,000-square-foot, European-style Mokara Spa offers a hair and nail salon, massages, facials, scrubs, soaks, and other therapies, plus a 24-hour fitness center. The spa also has a rooftop pool and café. The hotel's fine dining restaurant, Ostra, is on the lower level, directly on the River Walk.

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.

Originally built as a school in 1852 and then converted to a hotel for the HemisFair, the 1968 World's Fair, today the Omni La Mansión del Rio is replete inside and out with Spanish tiles, archways, exposed beams, and soft, earthy tones. Many rooms share balconies or verandas looking out on the River Walk, and some have private balconies—be sure to request a river-view room. Location is a big selling point for this hotel, on a quiet section of the river but still within easy walking distance of the entertainment district. Some rooms feature River Walk views; others have a view of the lush European-style courtyard with fountains and native foliage. The excellent on-site restaurant Four Brothers Southern Provisions is right on the River Walk. El Colegio bar is a cozy, welcoming spot with a good selection of offerings. Omni La Mansión del Rio is a sister property to the Mokara Hotel & Spa across the river—they share valet parking, the excellent Mokara spa, and the popular Ostra restaurant.

The first bed-and-breakfast in the King William Historic District, Brackenridge House has a two-story veranda overlooking a tree-lined street. Enjoy the view from front-porch rockers and porch swings. Rooms are lushly decorated with turn-of-the-20th-century accoutrements, a truly lovely setting.

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.

One of the best values among River Walk hotels, the Drury Inn & Suites is located in the historic 1921 Petroleum Commerce Building. Ask for a room with a terrace overlooking the river. This isn't a posh or luxurious getaway, but if you're on a budget or want a kid-friendly hotel, you can't beat it. There's a heated rooftop pool and whirlpool and in-room amenities include free Wi-Fi. There's also a free hot breakfast buffet and an afternoon free dinner buffet reception with two free alcoholic beverages.

Built in the 1920s and named for the woman who inspired the song "The Yellow Rose of Texas," this historic boutique hotel sits across from the Alamo on a triangular piece of land. Originally built as a medical school, it's neo-Gothic design stands out from other downtown landmarks. Sleek furnishings and whirlpool tubs in marble bathrooms make it a posh destination steeped in period romance.

This Fairfield Inn looks like every other in the chain, but it's clean and comfortable, with easy access to all of San Antonio's downtown sights. The good location also puts it two blocks from Market Square and a quick VIA bus ride to the River Walk and the Alamo. There's a 24-hour fitness center and a free hot breakfast buffet.

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.

The first boutique hotel in San Antonio, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk is renowned for its sleek and modern style, a captivating blend of Spanish colonial and modern Mediterranean design. It incorporates warm rustic woods, elegant ironwork, and handcrafted tiles and textiles. The Valencia at Home shopping experience offers signature scents and Egyptian cotton bedding, clothing, and accessories. The on-site restaurant, Dorrego's, brings a taste of Argentina with classic dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a River Walk setting. The Naranja Tequila and Mezcal Bar is the only tequila bar on the River Walk.

Many all-suites and extended-stay hotels provide plenty of space but fall short on style, but this spot challenges the status quo with their customary and luxurious bedding and cozy and sleek furnishings in every room. Located on one of the quiet sections of the river, the hotel is a short walk from the city's entertainment district and about a 20-minute walk from the convention center. The property has a heated outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness center.

Step into relaxation at this sophisticated yet homey country resort with lots of shade—a key feature when the mercury soars during a San Antonio summer. On the northwestern edge of the city, it occupies 200 acres of former ranch land, so you feel far removed, even though you're just a few minutes from SeaWorld, about 15 minutes from Six Flags, and 20 minutes from downtown.

A steady stream of conventioneers, visitors, and locals pass through the Hyatt's soaring 16-story atrium, and up the Hyatt's famous glass elevators to their rooms and meeting spaces. During the week, the intriguing geometry in the stacked, multilevel lobby feels spacious. Rooms and suites provide plenty of space and feature business-friendly (large desks, free Wi-Fi) and leisurely touches. There is an on-site, river-level, family-owned and operated DASA spa, and a heated rooftop pool with a sundeck.

Location is everything at this lush, 6-acre oasis in the middle of downtown San Antonio. There's a 24-hour fitness center, jogging and bicycle routes, a heated pool and whirlpool, a seasonal poolside bar, and a firepit. It's three blocks from the Alamo and a few steps from the River Walk's myriad attractions. The seven-story hotel does a brisk convention and meeting business, so book promptly. The on-site Anaqua Restaurant and Grill serves American fare at breakfast and dinner.

With more than 1,000 rooms, more than 70,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, this 38-story hotel has all the pluses—and minuses—of a very large hotel. You may have all the services you could want and you're in the heart of the action, but if you're looking for a secluded getaway, this isn't it.  There's a fitness center and indoor/outdoor pool. The Tributary restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Market Cafe Bocadillo has packaged items to go for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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.

Since 1909 this storied downtown hotel has been a favorite of ranchers and business travelers. It's located in the entertainment district, across from the historic Majestic Theatre and about a block from the River Walk. It's generally a better value than hotels directly on the river, especially for a historic hotel. On-site dining includes Market on Houston, a casual café and well-stocked marketplace open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the speakeasy-style Bar 414, featuring Prohibition-era and handcrafted cocktails and blues music. There is a 24-hour fitness center and outdoor heated pool, too. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

You too can feel like royalty in one of the city's most historic places to stay: the opulent St. Anthony transports visitors to days gone by while offering modern amenities in a great downtown location. The magnificent lobby features glittering chandeliers, stately columns, and fabrics in "St. Anthony Green," originally "Dorothy Draper" green, after the famed designer. Elegant touches of this striking green appear in the hotel's rooms and suites, which feature plush bedding, Italian marble, and gold accents. Chef Stefan Bowers and entrepreneur Andrew Goodman are behind the award-winning Rebelle restaurant. It's no wonder the St. Anthony has attracted a range of the rich and famous over the years; past guests include the likes of John Wayne, George Clooney, Olivia de Havilland, General Douglas MacArthur, the Beach Boys, and U.S. presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Located across the San Antonio River from the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, at the Thompson you are in the heart of the arts district, and fairly close to major sights like the Alamo and the Pearl (both about a mile away). Luxurious, beautifully appointed rooms range from a cozy 600-square-foot studio to the 2,100-square-foot penthouse suite with everything a penthouse suite should be. Rooms (including 33 suites) feature floor-to-ceiling windows, blackout curtains, luxury bedding, spa-inspired showers, and even a clothing steamer. The full-service 5,000-square-foot spa has five treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms, and a fitness center. The Cenote Pool Deck is a retreat with a lounge area and pool bar; private luxury cabanas are available and include TV and VIP service. The Moon's Daughters is an enchanting, indoor-outdoor, 20th-story rooftop lounge with a full bar and Mediterranean-style menu and, always, those amazing views. A unique feature of the hotel is the eye-catching artwork that graces virtually every space. The on-site fine dining restaurant, Landrace, boasts renowned chef Steve McHugh, who works with Texas farmers and growers.