An Honest Guide To The Most Breathtaking Hotels On The Riverwalk In San Antonio – 2024
When you’re looking for hotels on the riverwalk in San Antonio, you have plenty of options. This is some of the most coveted hotel real estate in the entire city. Older hotels carefully renovate and market their rooms, and new hotels snatch up spaces whenever possible. This means that YOU have many options available to reserve in these riverwalk hotels in San Antonio!
ABOUT US
We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.
Cheap Hotels On The Riverwalk
If you’re looking for the cheapest places to stay on the riverwalk, here's my obvious advice: do an online search for your desired dates and select the cheapest option. (I tend to use Expedia because it consistently has some of the best hotel deals. For instance, here's where you can see prices of lots of hotels on the River Walk in San Antonio.)
There are plenty of budget hotels on (or near) the riverwalk. These are typically pretty basic places like Holiday Inn Express, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, and the Hilton Garden Inn. They’ll all provide a comfortable, safe place to stay that’s in a convenient location.
However, if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay on the riverwalk, I’ll assume that budget is your primary concern (followed by location) and you’re ok foregoing some of the amenities provided by the beautiful hotels that I'm going to share with you here.
Yes! There are cheap(ish) hotels on the riverwalk.
No, they’re not going to be memorable places with beautiful views, exceptional amenities, and world-class service.
So just keep that in mind so that you can prioritize your needs.
Hotels With Views On The Riverwalk
The riverwalk was designed in the early 1900s to be the “Venice of Texas.” It’s very picturesque and there are lots of fun things to do on the riverwalk!
There are plenty of hotels that have prioritized the view. You can book rooms with windows, juliet balconies, or full sitting balconies overlooking the riverwalk.
(And if you’ve only ever walked by the portion of the riverwalk near Casa Rio restaurant at 7 pm on a Saturday night and you were disgusted by the crowds, fireball shots, and dirty smells...you need to try again sometime. There are some BEAUTIFUL parts to the riverwalk! You also have to know when to go.)
The 13 Best Hotels On The Riverwalk In San Antonio
Menger Hotel holds historical significance in San Antonio. Built in 1859, it’s the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. It was shut down during the Civil War and used to help aid wounded soldiers, but when the war ended the hotel opened again.
It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s the official historic partner of the Alamo. (Don’t worry…air conditioning was added in 1949.)
Actually, the Alamo and the Menger Hotel are literally side-by-side! In the following photo you can see just how close they are to each other in real life.
I’m listing the Menger Hotel at #13 on this list of best riverwalk hotels because it’s not quite on the riverwalk. It’s only a few steps away, but you won’t be able to get any rooms with riverwalk views.
However, when you book a room at the Menger, you do get to partake in a piece of America’s history, including imbibing at the bar where Theodore Roosevelt gathered his Rough Riders.
And the hotel truly is beautiful. The original lobby has stunning marble floors, ornate Victorian-style embellishments, and a Spanish-style courtyard with the largest heated pool in San Antonio.
If you’d like to stay near the riverwalk, the Menger Hotel is an excellent choice. If you’re hoping for a hotel room with a balcony that overlooks the water, continue reading.
Pool? Yes, outdoor courtyard pool
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 316
Date that hotel was built: 1859
204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Similar to the previous hotel, I’m including the luxurious St. Anthony Hotel at a lower rank on this list because it’s not quite on the Riverwalk. However, it’s certainly worth booking if you enjoy luxury hotel accommodations.
Built in 1909, this 10-story hotel in downtown San Antonio was built by a wealthy cattleman who figured that San Antonio was about to become a major tourist destination, and if he built a high-end hotel, he would get high-end clientele.
The St Anthony Hotel is adorned with every opulent finish you can imagine from the early 1900s: mahogany moldings, private bathrooms, and automatic doors. Ooh la la! Of course, it’s been renovated many times in the past 100 years. (Yes, including adding air conditioning! Don’t worry!)
Ownership has changed several times, it’s currently operated under the Luxury Hotel Collection of Marriott. Conde Naste has listed it as one of the top hotels in Texas, and it’s only 3 blocks away from the riverwalk. It’s also home to a fantastic cocktail bar called Haunt.
Pool? Yes
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 210
Date that hotel was built: 1909
300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Canopy, Hilton’s lifestyle brand, has a hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. While it’s a very modern, comfortable place to stay (with a fantastic restaurant, I might add!) I’m not going to list this one any higher than #11 on this list simply because of the lack of views from the rooms. It’s such a tall, skinny hotel. It really doesn’t have much ground floor real estate, so none of the rooms have balconies overlooking the water.
In fact, depending on the guest room you're assigned, you might not even have a view of the water.
However, if you’re looking for a nice hotel with exceptional service, modern touches, and a killer location, Canopy by Hilton is a great option. Also worth noting: this hotel is on the western edge of the Riverwalk, so it's closest to the Historic Market Square. (One of my favorite SA spots!)
Canopy hotels were launched by Hilton in 2014 as an approachable lifestyle brand. They have Canopy hotels all over the country! This San Antonio riverwalk hotel is very much on brand with the rest of their Canopy hotels: welcoming lobbies, comfortable rooms, free wifi, a free hot breakfast, and easy mobile check-in.
Canopy isn’t necessarily concierge service, but it’s a clean, comfortable, convenient hotel that’s a great choice for travelers. And the location, which is literally right on the water, is pretty hard to beat.
Pool? No
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 195
Date that hotel was built: 2021
123 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78205
The Hilton Palacio del Rio is hard to miss! It’s a very large, tall hotel on the riverwalk. And it’s not just near the riverwalk; the Hilton Palacio Del Rio is the nearest hotel to La Villita historic village, Arneson Theatre, and The Alamo. It’s across the street from Hemisfair and 1 block from the Henry B. Gonzalez convention center. The location is phenomenal.
Then again…is the location all that phenomenal? It’s also close to the highest concentration of riverwalk crowds. The downtown reach of the riverwalk is a loop. The western part of the loop (where the Hilton Palacio Del Rio is located) is where you’re most likely going to find subpar Tex Mex cuisine, fireball shots, and loud, drunk tourists.
It honestly depends on the type of traveler you are. Do you want the crowds, the noise, and the booze? Or are you hoping for a quieter getaway? Once you’ve decided, you’ll know if this is the best riverwalk hotel for you.
But let’s get back to the hotel itself, because it really is quite nice. It’s a 21-story hacienda-style hotel that was built for the 1968 World’s Fair at Hemisfair. Both sides of the Palacio Del Rio rio have great views: the riverwalk on one side, and Hemisfair on the other. While it is a 1960s hotel and has those 60s/70s vibes, it’s been renovated plenty of times for a more modern look.
Pool? Yes
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 486
Date that hotel was built: 1968
200 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Home to the only 4-star spa in San Antonio, Mokara is a sister property to the stunning Omni Mansion (which is directly across the street.) This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a wellness getaway in San Antonio near the riverwalk.
Mokara overlooks the river but has a street separating it from the pedestrian path. This means that you can view the riverwalk without getting too close to it. If you prefer to have a balcony that’s literally overlooking the riverwalk, you should probably book the Omni Mansion instead.
However, Mokara is small, luxurious and relaxing. Every room provides access to Mokara’s dry cedar sauna, eucalyptus-infused steam room, and whirlpool. And some of the premiere rooms even have their own whirlpools.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 99
Date that hotel was built: 2003
212 W Crockett St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Similar to the Hilton Palacio Del Rio, the Hyatt Regency is a big, tall, impressive hotel that was built in the late 19th century. This 1981 building has 16 floors, but the lobby is the true showstopper. It features a gorgeous indoor decorative pool with a bridge built over, made to mimic the nearby riverwalk.
It’s incredibly close to the Alamo, so if you can hop over there and check it out directly from the hotel. Actually, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the only hotels that offers “Alamo View” rooms.
It’s also in the very tourist-y portion of the riverwalk. It’s very close to places like Joe’s Crab Shack and Rainforest Cafe. You either love it or you don’t.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 630
Date that hotel was built: 1981
123 Losoya St, San Antonio, TX 78205
This is for all of you who want an interesting boutique hotel on the riverwalk….that’s just far enough away from the tourist crowds. Hotel Havana, from the Bunkhouse Group (Hotel San José, Carpenter Hotel, Hotel San Fernando) is a 27-room hotel from 194, and it’s about a 10 minute walk from the Downtown Reach of the riverwalk.
This means you can get to the Riverwalk and enjoy its ambiance, but escape from the noise with a quick walk back to your hotel.
Hotel Havana is built in a Cuban style, complete with palm trees and old world elegance.
You can enjoy a meal at Ocho, the in-house restaurant (which happens to be one of the best restaurants on the riverwalk) or grab drinks at Havana Bar. Both are lovely and offer views of the water.
Pool? No
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 27
Date that hotel was built: 1914
1015 Navarro St, San Antonio, TX 78205
This beautiful 213-room hotel built in Spanish Colonial style offers luxury suites, a fantastic tequila and mezcal bar, and rooms overlooking the River Walk.
There are all sorts of luxurious touches at this hotel, including Italian marble in the bathrooms, valet parking, and an open-air European courtyard on the third floor.
Of course, the location is phenomenal. It’s directly overlooking the riverwalk, but it’s on the eastern side of the downtown reach (aka away from most of the annoying touristy spots like Irish pubs or Bubba Gump.) Hotel Valencia’s spot on the Riverwalk is calm, cool, and quiet.
One other reason I’m listing Hotel Valencia at #5 on this list of the 13 best riverwalk hotels is because it’s directly above Ácenar restaurant. There aren’t many truly great places to eat on the Riverwalk, and Ácenar is one of the best options.
Pool? No
Spa? No
Number of rooms: 213
Date that hotel was built: 2003
150 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205
This stunning 265-room property overlooking the riverwalk offers an inviting, luxurious place for guests to relax while enjoying the water.
Something that’s unique about Hotel Contessa is that it’s a suite-only hotel. That means every room is quite large and offers space to unpack and make yourself at home. Floor-to-ceiling windows with blackout shades, separate living rooms with sleeper sofas, and flat-screen tvs in the living room and bedroom are just a few of the amenities you’ll find at this riverwalk hotel.
The only downside to this hotel is that the rooms don’t have balconies. Instead, you’re getting more square footage with a spacious suite. So you can decide if it’s worth it to you.
The rooftop spa and fitness center, city-view pool, and local San Antonio art in the suites further elevate this option.
But truly, it’s just hard to beat the fact that Hotel Contessa has a PRIME location. Half of the rooms overlook the water, and the other half overlook downtown. When you’re comparing it to options like Canopy by Hilton, or even the tiny Hotel Habana, you can see that staying at Hotel Contessa greatly increases your odds of booking a hotel room with an AMAZING view of the riverwalk.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 265
Date that hotel was built: 2005
306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hotel Emma could 100% be the #1 very BEST hotel on the river walk in San Antonio. So why am I listing it at spot #4? Because it's not what most people think of when they say "I'm looking for a great river walk hotel." It's located at the historic Pearl district, which is on the northern Museum reach portion of the riverwalk.
However, this stunning boutique hotel has quickly become the most desirable hotel in San Antonio. It certainly deserves a top spot on any hotel round-up,
Hotel Emma is located at the historic Pearl District. This hotel is actually the building that used to be the Pearl Brewery in the 19th century. Meticulously renovated and restored, it’s now a 146-room luxury hotel in the heart of the Pearl District. The restaurants and bars are phenomenal (be sure to dine at Supper and get a cocktail at Sternewirth) and the level of concierge service is unmatched.
While the riverwalk does extend north all the way through the Pearl District, this might not be the “riverwalk” you’re thinking of when you mention the San Antonio riverwalk. It’s a river, and you can walk by it, but it’s not the same feeling as the noisy and restaurant-dense downtown area.
However, Hotel Emma is a phenomenal choice if you want a hotel that’s near the water. And, of course, the pearl district is absolutely packed with phenomenal restaurants, wine bars, a speakeasy, an outdoor splash pad for children, a food hall, a lovely spa, and plenty of shopping. You could easily fill an entire weekend of activities and never leave the area.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 146
Date that hotel was built: 1894
136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
Location, location, location - as goes with real estate, so goes with the award-winning Omni La Mansion del Rio, an Omni Hotels and Resorts property.
This beautiful, Spanish colonial-style hotel was originally opened on the banks of the San Antonio river in 1852 as a school and then converted to a hotel in 1968 for the Hemisfair World’s Fair.
Spanish tiles, exquisite archways, and exposed beams are the standard here with an attractive open-air Spanish courtyard in the middle of the property.
But beauty aside, what makes the Omni La Mansion a standout option are some of the best river views in San Antonio. And with a number of attractions and restaurants nearby, the Omni La Mansion is a top choice for travelers wishing to immerse themselves in SA culture.
The 338 rooms at the Omni La Mansion are well appointed with comfortable and soft bedding, though admittedly lack the pop and allure of some of the other more modern properties on this list.
Many of the rooms offer views of the river with either a shared or private balcony. Ambassador-level rooms and above offer not only spectacular river views but complimentary access to the wet and dry spa areas at the sister property across the river, the Mokara Hotel.
We highly recommend splurging for a river view room as that’s the major draw in booking this hotel, just be aware that noise from the river can be a problem late into the evening with barges running well past 10 pm some nights.
Amenities at the Omni La Mansion del Rio include a heated courtyard swimming pool, access to the fitness center at the Mokara Hotel and Spa, and in-room coffee service.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes, at their sister property Mokara Spa, which is across the Riverwalk.
Number of rooms: 338
Date that hotel was built: 1853
112 College St, San Antonio, TX 78205
If a luxurious riverwalk hotel is your priority, then the Thompson is the answer. As one of Hyatt’s well-regarded luxury brands, the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk is a welcome and unique addition to the SA hotel lineup.
The hotel opened in February 2021 and is one of only 4 Thompson properties in all of Texas (Dallas, Austin, and Houston also have one).
And while the Thompson calls the quieter north riverwalk area home, the hotel itself is always abuzz with celebrations of some kind as well as weekly summertime pool parties with local DJs.
For those interested in making this party lifestyle permanent, the Arts Residences luxury condos sit atop the hotel with permanent residents receiving access to hotel amenities like the pool and spa.
While the pool and spa are enchanting, it’s the rooms and dining that really make the Thompson shine. The hotel features 162 rooms, 33 of which are suites with giant soaking tubs and indoor/outdoor spaces.
The design concept of the rooms exudes contemporary sophistication by blending industrial décor with a little Texas flavor. Dark hardwood floors and soft leather headboards join a pop of wall color and industrial lighting fixtures.
The bathrooms are tiled in clean white marble with dark, single-sink vanities.
Regarding food, the Thompson offers two exceptional dining options right on the property - Landrace, a restaurant piloted by the James Beard Award finalist, Chef Steve McHugh, and the Moon’s Daughters, a striking rooftop bar and lounge. If you want a riverwalk hotel experience with excellent in-house restaurant options, the Thompson is going to be hard to beat.
Amenities at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk include a fitness center, on-site spa, in-room dining, and outdoor pool, and the hotel is pet friendly (no fees for stays less than 30 days!).
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 162
Date that hotel was built: 2021
115 Lexington Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205
Situated on the southern edge of the Riverwalk’s Downtown Reach, the Westin Riverwalk earns the first spot on this list for a myriad of reasons.
First, the views. Look at that photo of the Westin and you can see that there are DOZENS of balconies offering unobstructed riverwalk views from the Westin’s rooms. There are few Riverwalk hotels in San Antonio that give guests this much viewing space.
Also, the location is superb for those who want a true riverwalk experience. The Westin is slightly west of La Villita historic village. The big, shady trees, wide pathways, and running fountains surrounding the Westin make this area feel well shaded and relaxing. While the area will still get crowded on the weekends (this is the riverwalk, after all!) it will never get as crazy as the riverwalk area near the Hilton Palacio Del Rio or the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk.
Finally, this is a luxurious hotel with a variety of rooms and spacious suites available, depending on your price range. My best suggestion is to book one of the river view rooms (that’s the main point of staying on the riverwalk, right?)
The views are lovely, but the amenities are top notch as well. Each room has Spanish Colonial decor, with dark wood and iron accents. The marble bathrooms have spa-style showers, and the flat-screen tvs and high-speed wifi ensure a comfortable stay.
The Westin’s other amenities include a heated outdoor pool, a modern Italian restaurant on the ground floor, and pet-friendly rooms.
Pool? Yes
Spa? Yes
Number of rooms: 473
Date that hotel was built: 1999
420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
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