9 Best Hotels in Downtown and the River Walk, San Antonio

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.