The best hotels in the center of San Antonio, Texas

Hotel Emma

Hotel Emma is a five star hotel which lies in the Pearl district of San Antonio. As the hotel lies in the heart of the Pearl district, which is a culinary hotspot, there are always places to eat within walking distance surrounding the hotel. And on the west side of the hotel you will find the Riverwalk, where you can take a nice stroll besides the stunning canal system of San Antonio. The hotel lies quite central, as the Alamo is only about 1.5 miles of the south.

The hotel is surrounded by restaurants, but the hotel itself also has several places where you can experience the culinary gifts of Texas. The restaurant Supper offers seasonal Texan food, while you can find local groceries at the market Larder. The hotel also has its own bar called Sternewirth where you can enjoy some snacks and cocktails after a long day of shopping.

It might come as no surprise that Hotel Emma is the highest rated hotel in San Antonio. There is little competition when it comes to the sheer beauty of its architecture and design. The historical building is a former brewhouse and it has retained several original features from that time. The hotel is best described as warm, traditional and comfortably luxurious.

The rooms in the hotels are equipped with all comforts. All rooms have either a walk-in shower or a bathtub. Of course you can also expect all rooms to have a 48″ flat-screen TV and air conditioning. There are rooms with a nice city view, but there are also rooms available with a terrace and view over the riverwalk.

People often come to San Antonio to enjoy the great sunny weather, which is why the hotel also has a sun terrace. You can chill out at the rooftop pool. There are complimentary bikes that guests can use. It’s also possible to work on your body at the fitness centre of the hotel.

Hotel Emma is a good pick for people who wish to book a hotel that goes the extra mile to please its guests.

Hilton Palacio del Rio

When it comes to hotels the Hilton brand has become synonymous with quality and comfort. The Hilton Palacio del Rio also delivers on this promise. This four star hotel can be found in the city center of San Antonio, adjacent to the River Walk, the famous canal system of San Antonio. It also lies within walking distance of the Alamo, which pretty much lies in the same street.

The Hilton hotel Palacio del Rio is quite literally surrounded by places that you will want to check out in San Antonio. If you step outside of your hotel and look to the north-east then already see the Rivercenter Mall, which is one of the biggest shopping centers of San Antonio. When you look to the south-east you see the Tower of the Americas, behind the Convention Center where often events like Penny Arcade Expo are held. Directly south of the hotel you will find La Villita Historic Arts Village, which is a cultural haven with a strong Mexican influence, art galleries and souvenir shops. And most importantly, to the north-west you will find the River Walk, where you can stroll past the canals or enjoy one of the countless cozy restaurants that you will find there. So few hotels offer a more perfect location.

Every room in this hotel has its own balcony, which is pretty unique. The balconies of the hotel are either on the side of the River Walk or towards the Tower of the Americas. The hotel also has its own swimming pool where you can spend some quality time with your family. The design of the hotel as a local and Texan feel to it, with modern hacienda style rooms. Besides a balcony you can also find the usual elements in every room, such as a 49 inch television, a private bathroom, wifi and everything you can expect from a 4 star hotel.

If you are looking for a hotel in the center of San Antonio, then you can’t go wrong with this Hilton hotel. It has a premium location, every room has balcony, the service is friendly, the breakfast is nice and the hotel is well maintained. So the Hilton Palacio del Rio can certainly count itself among the best hotels in San Antonio, Texas.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Going to a vacation resort is the perfect way to just relax and unwind. Unlike regular hotels, resorts cater to your every need, which allows you to just focus on having quality time with your family.

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is the highest rated resort in the area. The hotel lies on the outskirts of San Antonio, which allows it to have it’s own waterpark, golf fields, very spacious rooms and have it’s own restaurants and even it’s own Starbucks. All of which I shall expand upon later.

The resort has won many awards including for being the Top Resort in Texas & The Midwest by the luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler, an award from Fox News as America’s most family friendly resort, MSN.com’s award for having one of the best pools in America, four culinary awards, multiple awards for its golf courses and multiple awards having one of the best spas in America, such as from American Spa Magazine and MSN.com. And the list actually goes on.

The hotels on the resort look like giant mansions that offer a stylish design that’s both modern and chic, surrounded by a beautiful green environment with rolling hills. The rooms are quite spacious and offer quite the experience. Even the standard guest room has a 65 inch television, a marble bathroom with a seperate bath and shower, and a balcony with a stunning view. And as San Antonio offers a warm and pleasant climate you can obviously expect your room to have air conditioning.

The extensive water park spread out over nine acres allows you to enjoy every sunny moment with your family. With several slides, including a tube ride which is 275 foot long, and a body slide, a 1100 foot lazy river, several pools, including a kids pool, a swift current river which you can go down with a tube and even a sandy beach. If you prefer to just get a full body massage you can head over to the spa instead and get into the sauna or whirlpool afterwards.

The resort has family friendly facilities such as arcade gaming machines, billiard tables, table tennis tables and so on. And there are of course high quality golf courses. Both expert golvers and beginners looking for some lessons will feel right at home at the golf courses of the resort. As every year the Texas Open of the PGA Tour is held on the Oaks Course. While the Canyon course is the former of the host Champions Tour. So if you wish to get into golf there is no better place to start.

The resort has seven restaurants where you can relax and enjoy a meal. As the resort has won several culinary awards you can be sure that the staff will take good care of you. The resort offers a restaurant with the local Texan cuisine, a steakhouse, a grill, a bistro, a sports bar, a cocktail bar and even a starbucks. So there is always something that suits your taste.

As this hotel lies on the northside of San Antonio, where you also find Six Flags Fiesta and the Natural Bridge Caverns, you can also easily explore areas nearby San Antonio, such as the Canyon Lake or do a day trip to Austin, Texas. And if you wish to enjoy the latest fashion you can also drive to the San Marcos Premium Outlets, one of the most popular shopping destinations in Texas.

If you are looking for an unique experience at a beautiful resort, then you could certainly consider booking a stay at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. If your main focus is spending quality time with your family then you will never have to leave to place, as this place is massive and has everything you need. That’s why it’s one of our favorite places to stay in San Antonio.

Mokara Hotel & Spa

In the very heart of San Antonio overlooking the River Walk you can find the Mokara Hotel & Spa, which is a luxurious four star hotel. The hotel is within walking distance of many iconic landmarks, such as the Alamo, the San Fernando Cathedral, The Tower of Americas and the Shops at Rivercenter mall.

The rooms of the hotel look rather sophisticated with a King sized bed, a marble bathroom with a hot tub, a flat screen tv and free wifi. It is also possible to book a room with a balcony and a view over the River Walk.  But there are also other places in the hotel where you can relax, as you can also visit the spa of the hotel where different massages and treatments are offered.

The hotel has a heated rooftop pool, with sun beds from where you can enjoy the Texan sun with a great view of the inner city of San Antonio. And if you get thirsty you can get a beverage from the rooftop cafe.

Surrounding the hotel you will find many restaurants along the canals of San Antonio. Thanks to its premium location you will always be within walking distance of some great places to eat. But the hotel itself also has a seafood restaurant with a great wine selection.

At Meet The Cities we always also check what others think of a certain hotel. And we actually couldn’t find any hotel in San Antonio with better user reviews than Mokara. Making the Mokara the public favorite on our list of best hotels of San Antonio. So if if you plan to stay in downtown San Antonio you will be in safe hands here.

Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk

Hotel Drury Plaza is a three star hotel that offers affordable luxury in the center of San Antonio. The hotel is located in a renovated skyscraper, which was the former Alamo National Bank.

The 24-story hotel is an intrinsic part of the skyline of San Antonio. And as you enter the hall of the hotel you can’t help but notice the dignified character of the building. The rooms are also spacious with a timeless design. But the hotel scores on more than just looks, as it’s facilities also pack a punch. The hotel has an outdoor pool on the roof, an indoor pool and two whirlpools where you can relax in.

When it comes to service Hotel Drury Plaza also goes the extra mile. The hotel offers free warm breakfast, free wifi, the hotel is accessible, you can get a free snack such as a salad and a beverage in the evening as the 5:30 kickback, and every day you can also get a free soda and popcorn. All those little extras the hotel has to offer add to an already great experience.

The hotel contains a restaurant and bar on premise, but its true strength lies in the fact that the hotel is located in the center of San Antonio adjacent to the River Walk, where you will find countless of restaurants in the nearby streets and overlooking the canals. And nearby the hotel you will find the cultural Historic market square, the San Fernando Cathedral and the famous Alamo itself.

Riverwalk Plaza Hotel

If you are on a budget but still want a fantastic central location near the major tourist attractions, then the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel is your best hotel to pick. This three star hotel lies in downtown San Antonio, and as the name suggests its within walking distance of the Riverwalk and the Historic Market Square. If you walk a bit further you can even walk to the Alamo. From the back of the hotel the Tower of the Americas is also in sight.

The soft tones, large windows and quirky design choices add a warm and playful atmosphere to the common areas of the hotel. The rooms are fairly standard and have everything you need. With sufficient space and all the facilities you’ve come to expect from a good hotel, such as free wifi, a private bathroom and a 42 inch television. 

If you want to go swimming during your stay then that’s also possible. On the fourth floor of the hotel you will find a heated outdoor pool, where you can tan and relax under the Texan sun. The hotel has a fitness center where you are welcome all day and night. The hotel has a lounge where you can sit down and enjoy some classic family friendly games, such as a scrabble, chess or the shuffleboard.

Below the hotel you will find the restaurant and bar Willy B’s with a wide variety of dishes. From seafood favorites to club sandwiches, from breakfast with eggs to pancakes, from all-American burgers to vegan food and salads, and from Italian pastas to Mexican food. Despite that the hotel lies near the Riverwalk where you will find plenty of restaurants, you don’t even have to leave the hotel if you want to eat something tasty every day.

Overall this hotel strikes a good balance between location, value, service and affordability, making it perfect for people who are going on a city trip to San Antonio.

Best Western Plus Sunset Suites Riverwalk

Best Western has a popular hotel chain because their hotels are always decent wherever you go. The reliable quality of Best Western hotels make them a popular pick for weekend trips. It’s perfect for people who are just looking for a place to stay as they come to San Antonio for shopping, dining and to enjoy the unique culture of a city. They are not the fanciest hotels and with the hottest designs, but the hotels are always affordable, comfortable and of good quality. This Best Western hotel follows the same trusted recipe.

This Best Western hotel lies quite central in San Antonio. It’s within walking distance of the city center and practically next to the Alamodrome. The hotel lies within 0,3 miles from the most popular shopping mall of San Antonio and within 0,6 miles from the Alamo and the River Walk. So you never have to travel far to reach your destination.

The rooms are surprisingly spacious, they all have a television, a bathroom and all the things you’d expect from a hotel. The hotel has free wifi, a free proper breakfast buffet and there is free coffee. And the hotel has a small shop where you can get some sweets.

In the vicinity of the hotel you will also find plenty of restaurants offering all kinds of food. From a barbeque restaurant across the street to Italian and soul food around the corner. If you want a truly scenic dinner unique to San Antonio, then you can always walk towards the River Walk and sit down by the canals.

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Antonio Market Square

The La Quinta Inn is a 2-star hotel that lies in adjacent to the Historic Market Square of San Antonio, which is one of the oldest places in San Antonio and the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico, filled with eateries and touristic shops. It’s also within walking distance of the River Walk and downtown San Antonio.

As a 2-star hotel the La Quinta Inn is one of the cheaper hotels you will find in San Antonio. Which does reflect in design of the hotel, which is fairly generic. But if you travel on a budget, but still want to stay in a central location in San Antonio, then La Quinta Inn is probably the best hotel you could pick.

The hotel has an inner garden where you can enjoy an outdoor pool with sunbeds. And the hotel also offers free breakfast to its guests. Across the hotel you can enjoy free wifi. And if you arrive by car you will be happy to know the hotel offers free parking. So the hotel does offer bang for your buck.

The rooms themselves also have all necessities, such as a bath and a television. The hotel is clean and the people are also friendly. Especially for youthful travelers who are looking for a centrally located affordable hotel, with plenty of dining options nearby and a 24-hour reception, as you will want to explore the city at your own leisure, you can’t really go wrong with La Quinta.

Super 8 by Wyndham San Antonio/Riverwalk Area

This Super 8 is a very affordable hotel which lies next to the I-10 in San Antonio. This hotel is an odd one on this list, as it does not lie in the very heart of the city center. So if you stay at this hotel, you will need a car or grab a taxi if you want to go to the touristic sites of San Antonio. But if you travel by car, then everything is still quite closeby, as you the city center is only 4 miles away, which you can reach in 5 or 6 minutes.

The hotel actually looks surprisingly decent for a 2-star hotel. The rooms are have a nice shower, free wifi, are spacious enough, a small television and most importantly the rooms are clean. The breakfast was also nice and the staff quite friendly.

But it is a 2-star hotel for a reason. Some rooms could use some maintenance. And the hotel has an outdoor pool, which is great for a quick morning swim. But the sunbeds seemed to be missing. This hotel is perfectly good for a good night’s rest, but during the day I would suggest to just head into town to enjoy everything San Antonio has to offer, such the Alamo, the shopping centers and SeaWorld.

Red Roof Inn PLUS+ San Antonio Downtown – Riverwalk

The Red Roof Inn is a pretty solid and very affordable 2-star hotel. As the hotel lies right next to the city center, everything is fairly closeby. The hotel is only 0.3 miles from the Alamo. And 0.4 miles from one Shops at Rivercenter, which is one of the nicest shopping malls of San Antonio. 0.6 miles from the Riverwalk itself. And you can actually see the Tower of the Americas if you stand in front of the hotel. 

The hotel has a swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds. The rooms actually look clean, well maintained and even look better than most 2-star rooms we’ve seen. They have free wifi, a television and a nice shower.

The downside of this hotel is that there is no breakfast, as far as we could tell, but they do have room service and free coffee in the lobby. So when you stay at this hotel, chances are you will often be dining in downtown San Antonio.