Upscale San Antonio

A November 2000 trip to San Antonio by loli

You want to sample fine dining, luxurious accomodations, and upscale shopping during your visit to the Alamo? Try my suggestions.

  • 8 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
San Antonio is at the heart of rich American History. You've heard of the Alamo, of the Republic of Texas, and of course, of the River Walk. But did you know the world's first air conditioned building, a hospital, stands besides the River Walk? That their Hilton is the first modular building in the world? That their oldest cypress tree has survived the construction of the Olson Dam?

Quick Tips:

Take a long walk along 'El Paseo del Rio.' Saturday mornings are so quiet there, that you'll forget you are downtown. If you prefer guided tours, take the river cruises. The guides are full of interesting facts.

Best Way To Get Around:

For downtown mixing, walking with Streetcar worked the best for me. I did most of the river by foot, and continued on to the Spanish Governor's Palace and Market Square. From there, I took the Purple Line Streetcar and passed the Alamodome, the Tower of Americas, The Hemis Fair Park, and got off by the river walk.

Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the RiverwalkBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hyatt Regency River Walk"

The Hotel itself is a cold and square affair. The whole place probably needs a little redecoration. But I must say that at the end of the day, that bed was very comfortable; I loved the pillows. Room service was prompt and the food was good. What really distinguished the hotel, was my experience at the concierge desk. They were extremely nice and helpful. Of course, everyone I dealt with in San Antonio was nice.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the Riverwalk
123 LOSOYA STREET San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-222-1234

Omni La Mansion del RioBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "La Mansion del Rio"

Built in 1852 as a college, it has the calm feeling of an old monastery that has had a 10 million dollar renovation! This hotel is luxurious, rustic, charming. It has a cozy courtyard with a pool, and many rooms have balconies with views of the river or the courtyard.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

Omni La Mansion del Rio
112 COLLEGE STREET San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-518-1000

Boudro's Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Boudrou's on the River Walk"

Here you have good ambience inside or by the river. The food is good southwestern cuisine for a good price. I put $10-20 in the price range, because you have to have a margarita!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

Boudro's
421 East Commerce St San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 224-8484

Rio Rio CantinaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Great food for a good price while you watch the flow of people at the River Walk. I had the best Chimichanga I had ever eaten.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

Rio Rio Cantina
421 East Commerce St San Antonio, Texas 78205
+1 210 226 8462

The food is good, but truthfully... everyone comes here for the view. Mostly, that it is revolving. You can see San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country from all sides while you have dinner and a drink. It's different, definitely worth it. They have a good selection of wines and desserts.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

The Tower Restaurant
600 HemisFair Park San Antonio, Texas 78201
210-223-3101

PresidioBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "El Presidio"

Don't go. Apparently it's a new restaurant that hasn't figured out their identity. Fine dining with sports TV? It doesn't go. The drinks were bad, the fish uncooked, the service slow. We didn't stick around for dessert.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

Presidio
Riverwalk San Antonio, Texas

La VillitaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Built in the late 1800's as a settlement for Spanish soldiers, today La Villita (little village) houses about 30 shops, galleries, restaurants, and a chapel.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by loli on November 14, 2000

La Villita
418 Villita San Antonio, Texas 78205
+1 210 207 8610

Mariachi MassBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

About 4 miles from downtown (leave with plenty of time, we got delayed by two trains), you can find 'La Mision San Jose' - one of 5 Spanish Missions establised in the 1700's. On Sundays at noon, this one celebrates mass with mariachis. You don't have to be Catholic, although it helps. I went expecting a show- it isn't. They have been celebrating mass this way for 30 years. And although a few tourists go, the mass is for its parishoners to celebrate life and love. At the end of mass, they invite all those with birthdays and anniversaries to stand on the altar while the mariachis sing to them. It was a very happy and warm atmosphere. A good way to see the friendly people of San Antonio. While there, visit the rest of the mission.

About the Writer

loli
loli
Miami, Florida
  • "In 1993 I quit my job to travel around the world. I'm the happiest when I'm discovering a new place..."
  • 5 journals
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  • 30 reviews

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