mjnx

First trip to TX, husband/wife, 4 nights late March , fly in and out of SA from CHGO. Would like to see highlights of San Antonio, good meals/ margaritas, culture, sightseeing. SHould we stay all 4 nights in SA? Moderately upscale hotel SA choices? Should we stay or just visit Hill Country? Itinerary suggestions? Thank you!

follow_your_bliss

Hi mjnx,

I can't help you as much with lodging as I live in the area. But be wary of tripadvisor.com for recommendations. Somehow, the lackluster Drury properties have 3 of the top 4 spots. I would not recommend anyone stay there unless they had a seminar and it was convenient. The Riverwalk Drury property is okay, but it's location is not great. It is NOT the best property in the downtown area. I strongly suspect some rigging going on. Here is a pdf map of the Riverwalk, and you can see that it is way at the end, away from everything else:

http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.co...tMapOnlyq5.pdf

We did stay at the Marriott for a celebration, and it has a good location. What I liked was that it was completely quiet in our room--no traffic noise at all, but we had a suite so I don't know if that's consistent for all rooms.

For great Mexican food and killer margaritas I like Rosario's (downtown). Another good choice for Mexican is Chuy's (N. Side); if you go there, have a Texas Martini. It's not a martini at all and it tastes like a very smooth margarita.

OO

Interesting, follow_your_bliss...I've been wondering exactly as you have about Drury and tripadivosr. I just don't get it at all! Walking past there a couple of weeks ago, the area it's in just feels grimy. Have been through the lobby of the newer one, just out of curiosity, and it was a "eh, so?". One of my friends used to stay at their airport property as she's an FA for Southwest and it used to be the designated hotel. They refer to it as Dreary Inn. I think things get started on tripadvisor,then parroted, as in "go to Boudros and have the guacamole table-side". That I can understand more than the Drury mantra, but still, there are other restaurants and even in that one, other things that are pretty good.

I do like Boudros, also like Pesca, though DH has been since Watermark and Mansion were bought and feels service and food are declining. Rosario's is terrific. The very best meal you can get downtown is Le Reve, but it is terribly expensive, small, and reservations necessary a fair distance out. Do go to Guenther House for breakfast or lunch. Eat outside in the patio (gas heaters if it's chilly). Love the atmosphere there and have never had a bad meal, although recently I seem to be stuck in a rut on their veggie burger.

Nicer properties on the river include (my DH runs one of them so I'm not making recommendations!) Westin, the two Marriotts, Mansion, Watermark (haven't seen their rooms but love the public areas if they are a reflection on the rooms), Hyatt. B&B's I'm intrigued by Oge House in the King William District, but have never seen the rooms. You would be removed from the activity of the Riverwalk as well, although it's a walkable distance. (I make the walk every Saturday and am about to set out).

I feel that a couple of days on the Riverwalk, seeing that, seeing King William District, the Alamo and a couple of the other missions (San Jose or Concepción are my favorites), then I would at least drive into the Hill Country. My favorite drive is out highway 16 to Lost Maples State Park (or stay on the loop to Kerrville), covering some beautiful scenery and through the very western town of Bandera. Closer to SA, you could make the drive to Fredericksburg, taking some of the back roads...up 281 to Blanco then cutting over on one of the little roads...one of which goes through Luckenbach, although it's easy to miss...you have to watch for the signs and drive off the main road a short distance. Problem is, people keep stealing the signs for it.

The exhibit, "Our Body: the Universe Within" will be at the Witte while you are here. I'm looking forward to seeing that. My understanding is that it's different from Body World, which got rave reviews and which you may have seen already, but similar idea.

Tess

San Antonio is one of my favorite places--our family has been there several times in the past few years (for my daughter's dance competitions and for the Alamo Bowl). Look into the Contessa Hotel--located on the Riverwalk, it's close to everything but a peaceful oasis from the crowded Riverwalk. It's only a few years old, so everything is still pretty fresh and new.

I think you'd be fine with 2-3 nights in SA then another night in the Hill Country or in Austin.

Second Rosario's--yum yum. Also don't miss breakfast or lunch at the Guenther House in the King William district. You can walk along the Riverwalk to get there and see gorgeous old SA mansions along the way. The walk and the meal were both highlights of one particular trip.

We also enjoy dining outdoors at Paesanos on the Riverwalk. It was chilly the night we were there and the outdoor heaters weren't cutting it, so they provided Mexican ponchos for outdoor diners. Very fun!

For something quirky, take the Ghost Tour at night. It starts and ends at the Alamo and was a blast. The guy who runs it has been on all kinds of Ghosthunters type TV shows.

Cole2006

I have stayed at the Drury Riverwalk and I can tell you it is a wonderful hotel. Great service, breakfast, rooms, can't be beat.

The location is perfect, right where the river joins the Riverwalk.

Of course I have not benefited by tripadvisor, or "walked" by it. My experience is staying there for 4 nights.

OO

mjnx is looking for a moderately upscale hotel, cole2006. None of the Druries are that. There is a hotel for almost every category traveler who comes to this city, with the exception of a true 5*. Drury fills a niche, as do the hotels I mentioned, but they cater to different populations.

moldyhotelsaregross

If you like quirky fun, check out the Segway tours of the city. We really enjoyed ourselves when we were there last.

moldyhotelsaregross

And another two big thumbs up for Boudro's. YUM.


It is by far my favorite restaurant in SA.

kelliebellie

If you want a cool b&b we stayed here:

http://www.beauregardhouse.com/

It is run by a couple and the woman is blind. She paints and sells her paintings for thousands of dollars. She has written books too. It is on a very quiet street walking distance to the river walk.

There are some cool caves to check out outside of town as well as a fun drive thru animal park where you can feed the animals from your car. Beware the zebras!

volcanogirl

mjnx, you will love San Antonio and the Hill Country. In SA, our favorite spots are the Marriott Rivercenter - great hotel right on the Riverwalk, and if you want something off the Riverwalk, we love the Hyatt Hill Country Resort - great spa on the property and a lazy river that runs around the grounds, nice golf, etc. Definitely visit the Alamo and go to Boudro's for prickly pear margaritas and their wonderful tableside guacamole. If you wanted to spend a night in the Hill Country, Gruene is a great little town. You could eat at the Grist Mill, located right on the river and stay at our favorite B&B, The Gruene Apple Inn. The entire area is really charming. Check out Gruene Hall for live C&W performances if that interests you.