7 Best Places To Stay in San Antonio Along The Scenic Riverwalk
Searching for the best places to stay in San Antonio for your upcoming trip? I’m here to share the top hotels in San Antonio along the idyllic Riverwalk that have a premier location, comfort, and walkability to the city’s attractions.
Over many trips I have had the opportunity to stay in these hotels or visit and I can say that each one has a uniqueness about them and a few with quite a fascinating history.
Personally, I enjoy staying along the River Walk as there is no other city like it for its beautiful ambiance.
San Antonio is one of my favorite cities in the United States as it has an incredible restaurant scene (including BBQ and Mexican), tons of historic sites, art, and a vibrant culture.
Some say the River Walk is a little too touristy which can be true but I still think it is worth it as the scenery and proximity to everything can’t be beat.
So, if you are wondering where to stay in San Antonio, keep reading as I dive into why you should book one of these hotels on your upcoming trip.
🗺️ Tip: View the location of each hotel on a map at the bottom of this post.
Short on time? My 3 Top Hotel Picks
🛌 Hotel Emma – Luxury stay in the Pearl
🛌 Omni La Mansion del Rio – Perfectly central Riverwalk location
🛌 Menger Hotel – Historic hotel next to The Alamo
Best Places To Stay In San Antonio
1. Hotel Emma
The 146-room Hotel Emma shines as one of the best hotels in San Antonio for its elegance, historic site, and outstanding amenities.
It sits along the San Antonio River in the revitalized Pearl neighborhood, further from the rest of the hotels listed but surrounded by several shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Besides the gorgeous décor and architecture, what makes Hotel Emma so special?
The site has a long history before it became a hotel as it was the Pearl Brewery, hence the neighborhoods name…
The Pearl Brewery started brewing up production in 1883 and by 1916 it had become the largest brewery in Texas!
Emma Koehler, the widow of the brewery founder Otto Koehler took charge after his passing and not only kept the Pearl Brewery in business during the Prohibition but carried it into a very successful era.
This was an accomplishment as so many breweries didn’t survive this challenging period. So, it’s no surprise that the hotel was named in her honor.
After the brewery closed in 2001, the area sat abandoned until an investor purchased the land and started the visionary project to make the Pearl a destination in itself.
Throughout Hotel Emma you will see a beautiful blend of industrial elements from the brewery and modern materials that makes for eye-catching architecture.
No stay is complete without grabbing a cocktail at the Sternewirth Tavern & Club Room at Hotel Emma.
Where rustic Texas meets swanky décor, the Sternewirth is named after the Sternewirth Privilege which allowed 19th century brewery employees the “privilege” to enjoy free beer during the work day!
I’m not sure how that affected production but a nice benefit of working there…
After enjoying drinks, head over to Supper for a superb dinner featuring farm-to-table American dishes.
A plus for staying at Hotel Emma is you don’t have as many crowds as the main section of the Riverwalk with a more laid back atmosphere.
Note: There is also a rooftop pool and Electra (e-bike) bikes for guests to use during their stay.
2. Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
Right along the San Antonio River, Hotel Valencia is located on a calmer area of the River Walk yet steps from the most popular things to see in San Antonio.
Hotel Valencia Riverwalk is bathed an upscale Old World Mediterranean style with a touch of Southwest influence that resembles a retreat waiting for you to check in.
With 213 rooms, many have a balcony with spectacular views of the river offering the perfect spot to start or end your day.
The hotel has been a popular choice to stay since 2003 and one of the first boutique hotels in San Antonio.
The library marries grandness with cozy in what could appear to be a cigar lounge without any cigars in sight. If you need a break from sightseeing, this is the perfect spot to recharge.
From the main lobby to each corner of the hotel, Spanish colonial style is evident from the tiles to the textiles, ironwork, and artwork.
If you didn’t pick up on the Spanish influence, head to the Naranja Tequila and Mezcal Bar to sip a craft mezcal cocktail.
At least one night during your stay, make a point to dine at Dorrego’s where you’ll find delicious Argentinean cuisine with flavors from Spain, France, and Italy.
Sample dishes such as empanadas, paella, fish, and steaks in an inviting setting to top off your stay.
Note: You can reach The Alamo in 10-minutes or the San Fernando Cathedral in 5-minutes on foot.
3. Omni La Mansion del Rio
If you had to pick one hotel that is at the epicenter of the bustling Riverwalk it would be the Omni La Mansion del Rio.
Located along a beautiful tree lined section of the river is the historic Omni La Mansion del Rio that is included in the list of Historic Hotels in America.
For its luxurious design and premier location, you can get a pretty great hotel rate most of the year.
The hotel dates back to 1852 but at that time it started out as a small school expanding to a larger school known as St. Mary’s College from 1924 to 1966.
As students were boarded here, the makings of a hotel were not far away…
Purchased and redeveloped as a luxury hotel, it opened to the public in 1968 the same time as the 1968 World Fair known as “Hemisfair”.
In 2006 Omni Hotels took over giving it a new facelift in complete Spanish colonial architecture with design and layout reminiscent of ties to Spain and Mexico.
Today the hotel has 338 rooms plus a courtyard pool if you need to relax and recharge in between exploring the city.
And you won’t go hungry as there are two restaurants, Four Brothers (Southern Texas cuisine) and Ostra (steak & seafood).
Note: You are just a few blocks from the Alamo and it is one of the prettiest walks along the Riverwalk to reach it.
4. Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
The Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk is another great hotel choice as like the Omni, it is centrally located mere steps from all the San Antonio attractions, places to eat, and bars.
One of the larger hotels on this list, the 630-room Hyatt is tucked on the Riverwalk where it curves on a tight bend.
The hotel has the tallest rooftop pool in the city (16th story) with magnificent views of the San Antonio River and downtown San Antonio.
Plus, there are two restaurants (Q Kitchen & One The Bend Oyster Bar), Mkt. Place store, Mad Dogs English-style pub, and shops.
To add to the amenity offerings, the DASA Spa onsite is perfect if you need to slow down and be pampered with a massage or body treatment.
If you are entering on the back side (away from the river) there is a serene waterfall feature and a garden atrium that adds to the ambiance of staying here.
Note: The Alamo and access to River Cruises are steps from exiting the lobby.
5. Hotel Havana
Hotel Havana is a charming boutique hotel along the scenic River Walk in a section a little further down and away from the busy center.
Although small, this 27-room hotel has a mysterious and rich history as it is over 100 years old!
One look at Hotel Havana and you are quickly transported to an Old World Mediterranean Revival style of architecture hailing from the tropical shores of Havana, Cuba.
At the time it was built in 1914, this was a popular architectural design and with the addition of magnolia, cypress, and palm trees you might think you had arrived in the Caribbean.
Built by a local grocer Edward Franz Melcher, he created this oasis to board the various vendors he worked with when they came to San Antonio.
After owning for over 12 years, the ownership of the hotel changed hands several times over the decades with a period of abandonment and then finally to the newest ownership by Bunkhouse.
In 2010 Hotel Havana was back in business to greet guests offering a comfy stay where each room has a unique design and layout.
I can’t say so myself, but there have been reports by staff and guests that it may be haunted. The good news is that they seem to be friendly ghosts…
Since 1986, Hotel Havana has been included on the National Register of Historic Places.
On top of being one of the top historic hotels in San Antonio, it is also home to the Havana Bar and Ocho restaurant.
Whether you dine at Ocho for breakfast or dinner, you won’t be disappointed as the food is outstanding!
Featuring dishes with a mix of Spanish, Cuban, and Mexican flavors you are bound to find more than one tasty dish to try.
Note: You can reach the Alamo and nearby activities within 10-12 minute walk or a quick Uber ride.
6. Menger Hotel
Of all the places to stay in San Antonio, you can’t get any closer to The Alamo as the Menger Hotel is right next door!
It happens to be the oldest hotel on this list with a history spanning 166 years and officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
In addition, it is the oldest running hotel in the United States west of the Mississippi and has had esteemed guests ranging from Babe Ruth to Mae West, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Want to explore the other missions in San Antonio?
Discover everything you need to visit on the Mission Trail in San Antonio!
Opening its doors in 1859 by William and Mary Menger, the Menger Hotel truly has an incredible legacy and a timeless grandeur with Victorian and Renaissance styles of architecture.
The Menger Hotel started out as a two-story hotel with 55 rooms and over the years with a series of upgrades and renovations, it now has 316 rooms.
Step into the Menger Bar where time seems to have paused in the 1800s as you saddle up to the polished wooden bar admiring the resemblance to London’s House of Lords Pub it was modeled after.
For an opulent start to your day, have breakfast in the Colonial Room or for a bite later in the day, grab a few tasty tacos at Mengerita Tacos.
And if you hadn’t heard, the hotel is famous for having resident ghosts who guests and staff have caught a glimpse of over the years.
It’s not surprising that a hotel of 166 years may have seen a few deaths from time to time which has added to the intrigue of the Menger.
Fortunately, all ghost encounters have been friendly and non-threatening. But I’ll leave it to you to determine whether it really is haunted…
Ghost Tours That Visit The Menger Hotel
Explore one of the most haunted hotels in San Antonio on:
7. Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
As one of the newest hotels along San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the Thompson has been a popular place to stay in San Antonio since opening in 2021.
The 162-room Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk might lack in history but completely makes up for it with its opulent and modern aesthetics with thought behind each design concept.
The floating staircase in the lobby will draw your attention among the sophisticated yet bold design elements in every direction you look.
It quickly gained popularity for having an upscale rooftop pool with cabanas, a pool bar, and chic vibes.
Guests can sip craft cocktails at The Moon’s Daughter or step out onto the rooftop patio to take in sweeping views of San Antonio’s skyline.
At Landrace Restaurant you can dine on Mediterranean inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients with an infusion of Texan flavors.
Not that you need another reason to stay here but there is even a full-service spa onsite called Thompson Spa.
You can enjoy the saunas, steam room, schedule a massage or a body treatment.
Located in the North Riverwalk neighborhood, the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk (part of the Hyatt group) is within walking distance of the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Tobin Center for Performing Arts.
Note: A 12-15 minute walk to the Alamo and nearby attractions.
Top San Antonio Tours
The best way to see the city is with a local to learn all about the history and sample food San Antonio is known for.
Here are a few top tours to book for your trip!
San Antonio Alamo, Tower & River Cruise Tour
Historic Downtown Culture & Food Tour
Before You Go…
Discover what to do in San Antonio for a 1 day trip or long weekend getaway!
San Antonio Hotels Map
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Vanessa Shields
Vanessa Shields is the founder of Traveling Ness helping people with trip ideas, itineraries, travel planning, and boosting confidence for female travelers to take a solo trip. She has been a travel writer and content creator since 2019.