Hotel Listings

Below is a listing, in random order, of San Antonio Riverwalk and other downtown hotels I think worthy of consideration, along with my personal comments.  I checked out all their room rates for you and I selected the weekend nights of November 19-20.  They are different than those of my prior checks of Nov. 2003 and May 2004.  One thing I've learned from this effort is how much the rates change based on the individual hotel's expectations for the weekend.  Most all the rates are much higher than the last survey.  Talking with some of the reservation people I suspect there is a convention in town that weekend, especially considering the Crockett Hotel is sold out.  That's not a prime hotel.  I am really amazed at the number of hotels that report being sold out.  And to think I specifically picked the non-thanksgiving day weekend too.

My basic inquiry is for rates for two adults in the cheapest room with two beds.  It is fairly standard practice that the hotels hire reservation taking staff that principally ignore what you've just told them and quote you a single King size bed in a suite over looking the river walk.  And then surprisingly some hotels say they don't have two beds in their cheapest rooms but a King.  You're on your own.  Most of the rates listed are for queen size beds but you never really know what they've just quoted me.  Also, everyone asked if I was part of a convention, was a frequent guest of the hotel, had some special code or card (like rental car  card) or was traveling for business or pleasure.  I responded to all that I was traveling for pleasure and had nothing special but cash to get me a room.

The rates were quoted to me as of the end of August, so they're likely to change by the time you see this, but it will give you a snapshot of hotel pricing at that time.

Here is a big plus you get nowhere but here.  I made just for you a map of all the recommended downtown hotels.  This will be a great help in refining where you wish to stay.

Menger Hotel

Much ballyhooed historical hotel.  No doubt it's got history and a better location than the St. Anthony, but certainly not the class.  Normally I would prefer the St. Anthony over the Menger, but at this price difference stay with the Menger. 

$17-valet only

Sheraton Gunter Hotel

The third of the trio of historic hotels in town.  It's o.k. but there's nothing real special about it.  It's across the street from the theater that hosts all the traveling Broadway plays, The Majestic.  Also catercorner to the new and expensive Hotel Valencia.

$15 valet only

La Quinta Convention Center

Probably the best situated motel downtown, right across the street from the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel.  They say pets are o.k.

They just completed a high rise hotel next door to their motel.  I'll get data on it soon.

No charge for parking

Crockett Hotel-A Holiday Inn Hotel

This hotel was at one time on its death bed, but the creation of RiverCenter Mall, next door, breathed new life into it.  Because RiverCenter Mall offers 2 hours free parking many San Antonians park next door when we go downtown.  I pass it often but I've never known anyone to ever stay there.  Although it's old, it's not poorly located.  Personally, I think the hallways smell.  Wouldn't stay any further east of this location except to stay at La Quinta.

$18-valet only

Crown Plaza Hotel
formerly the Adam's Mark Hotel

A convention hotel with big ballrooms and meeting rooms.  As it used to be a bank and office building it wasn't built to be next to the tourist areas.  You can do better.

Didn't even check, but I know they have to charge.

The Fairmount-A Wyndham Hotel

A rather charming and quaint boutique hotel.  The building was actually moved down the street to it's current location.  It's small and intimate.  Not on the river but on a well lit major thoroughfare so no problem walking to it at night.  The bar and restaurant have their local admirers. I wouldn't mind staying here if I couldn't get into the Drury Inn or the price differential elsewhere was too great. 

$17-valet

Holiday Inn Riverwalk

This is right next door to the Hotel Valencia.  It's on the river but there's nothing on the river at this spot to see or do.  If the price is not too different go 2 doors down the street and stay at the Drury Inn

$19-valet
$14-self

Havana Riverwalk Inn

A small intimate inn.  I've heard the rooms are lovely.  But if you're a regular site-seeing tourist it's too far from the main drag.  Plus their rooms are normally too expensive regardless of how nice the rooms are.

$10/day -a real rip off since the lot is an open unsecured and uncovered lot

La Mansion del Rio 

Built on the site of, and using part of the structure of, the old St. Mary's law school building.  The is a well run, locally owned and well situated hotel.   If you get a river view suggest you stay a few floors up from river level to avoid any night reveling.

$25-valet
Public lot across st.

Hilton Palacio del Rio

Pretty decent location, on the river.  This hotel was built in 1968 for San Antonio's HemisFair.  A 21 story building built in nine months!  The fifth through 20th floors are comprised of individually built concrete rooms which were raised into place as construction ensued.  But normally too expensive when compared to alternatives.

$27-valet
$14-self

Emily Morgan Hotel

Formerly known as the Medical Arts Building, it used to be occupied by medical offices.  The building was sold and remade into an hotel.  Across the street from the Alamo.  Nothing special about this place. However, having said that, their rooms with jacuzzis are really great rooms with good city views.  I've know locals who have spent romantic weekends in those rooms.

$16 valet
Public lot nearby $8/day

St. Anthony Hotel-A Wyndham Hotel

One of my personal favorites.  Built in 1910 it has the elegance and grandeur of the old line hotels of a bygone era.  Not on the Riverwalk; it is an historical hotel that I would stay at.  Certainly a distinguished address.  But this pricing is too much.  Normally it should be comparable to the Gunter at about $99/night.  Try to negotiate down.

$17-valet
$12-self

The Riverwalk Vista

I must confess it took a friend in Dallas to tell me about this place.  It opened after 9-11 and hasn't advertised.  The location is perfect!.  It is better viewed as a B&B, not a hotel.  One room I inspected the a/c wasn't working.  It's on the 2nd & 3rd floor of a small (former office) building you enter by buzzer or key card.  They have no valet.  And no parking, nor restaurant.  Only continental brkfst in the a.m.  I'm convinced in the summer the south and west sides of the building are going to be scorchers.  Nevertheless I'm intrigued by the place because of its location and intimacy.  The hard wood floors in the hallway may (only my educated guess) make anything you do heard by everyone else.  If you stay there let me know what you think.  And I'm curious to know if you can hear the traffic noise throughout the night as you are on a very busy corner.  P.S. don't be wooed by the fitness center, it's several blocks away.

No parking

Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk 

This is a jewel of a place.  Used to be the Petroleum Commerce Bldg.  Situated at a perfect spot on the river; one would hardly know it's there.  For a small and intimate hotel setting this is perfect!  It's not near the rowdy noisy part of the river, but I would still get a room several floors up from street level.  Without a river view room, you'll be looking at a another building 50 ft away.

$8-self parking in hotel lot part of bldg.  Cheapest rate

The Westin

Along with the new Watermark Hotel probably the most lavish hotel in town.  Built by one of San Antonio's own billionaires.  It's a convention style hotel with a large ballroom, etc.  If you are celebrating a honeymoon or wedding anniversary, their basic rooms are probably some of the most luxurious rooms in town.  But it's a big hotel.

$22-valet
$10-self

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Best located hotel in town.  But you will pay for the privilege.  No doubt a fine establishment but just a block or two away and you can get a much better bargain.

$21-valet
$15-self

Hotel Valencia

Amazing what money can do.  The location is on the river but at the end of the main restaurant strip.  I've got many friends in town that like this place.  But I don't.  It tries for an intimate/ exclusive feel but comes off as pretentious.  The entrance is literally on Houston St., so if you come by car you unload almost in traffic.  Personally, I'd save my money and go elsewhere.

$25-valet
$15-self

Marriott Plaza

Formerly a Four Seasons Hotel.  Has nice grounds but is several blocks away from the Riverwalk.  You will pass the Fairmount to get here, so I would stay there before staying here.

$19-valet
$14-self

Watermark Hotel & Spa

This place just opened Jan. 2004.  I've toured the place and it's nice!  It's owned by the owners of La Mansion del Rio, so I know it's going to be very well run.  It intends to be an exclusive small hotel and will be very expensive.  Be aware of your view.  All the west views face a building wall 3 ft. away from your window!  Ouch!  The east side is not much better.  Best is the river side.

$25-valet

Marriott Rivercenter

1000 rooms!  Need I say anymore? A good location, but just a big convention style hotel.  If you're here for a convention, it and it's sister hotel, the Marriott Riverwalk,  are well situated. 

$19-valet
$14-self

Marriott Riverwalk 

A good location, right across the street from the Marriott Rivercenter.  Just another run of the mill big hotel.

$19-valet
$14-self

The hotels listed below are alternatives for comparison only.  They would not normally be on my recommended downtown hotel listing.

Red Roof-San Antonio Airport

No charge for parking

O.k., I put this hotel in for all those people who are like me.  Cheap.  If you have a car this hotel is a viable alternative to staying downtown.  It has a lighted sign posting rates along the highway and is about the cheapest place that is in a good area.  In fact, the area is in the affluent north side of town, essentially suburbia.  And the area is really good.  And it's really a straight shot via the expressway to downtown from here, about a 12 min drive.  Suggest you drive to town like the rest of us who live here and park for the day and sightsee.

For that matter, any hotel along Loop 410 between Nacogdoches (on the east) and Blanco Rd. (on the west) is o.k. to stay at.  There are many to choose from so you'll have to do the work yourself.  They are all near  the airport, which is now located in town (the city having grown around it) and in a very nice area.  I think you will feel at home along this stretch of town, it's where all the local action is.  

La Quinta Inn Market Square

Against my better judgement I'm listing this motel and the Motel 6 below.  I don't have any problem with La Quinta other than it's not where the action is by the Riverwalk area.  However, having said that, if you are as cheap as me and don't want to spend the money for any of the above mentioned hotels, and don't have a car to stay at any of the hotels on the north side of town (see comments on Red Roof Inn above) then this is the next best place to stay that is cheaper than the rest.  It is directly across the street from Market Square which is a normally crowded two mexican restaurant attraction.  You can't stay any closer to Market Square than this motel! I think it a safer nighttime spot than any other hotel in the Market Square area (which is on the sleazier side of town).  But at only $16 cheaper than its sister motel at this date's pricing I would stay at the other.

No charge for parking

Motel 6 - Downtown

$58

Boy, once I started on the slippery slope of listing cheaper hotels/motels I feel forced to list just one more.  This is for those who are even cheaper than the people referred to above at the listing of La Quinta Market Square.  If you are just destitute, without a car and somehow have access to a computer to read this, then the cheapest downtown place that I would direct you to is this place.  It's a block away from Market Square.  It's on the edge of a day labor area and not too far from the County Jail.  So you figure it out.  But, it's cheap.  If you feel you have to stay here I don't want to know about it.

No charge for parking