A Luxury Guide to a Long Weekend in San Antonio
From museums to wine tastings, San Antonio has something for every kind of traveler.
Paseo del Rio (River Walk) — a network of walkways along a barge-filled river — corkscrews through the city’s downtown
Perhaps not everyone knows that the portion of Texas that includes San Antonio was once part of Spain, Mexico and France in turns, not to mention the realm of Native Americans for thousands of years. Later, cowboys and frontier settlers came, followed by German immigrants with famed beer-making skills (resulting in one 19th-century San Antonio neighborhood earning the name ‘Sauerkraut Bend’).
Today, this wholly unique American city revels in its fusion of rich cultures that feed its vivid personality. Its undulating Paseo del Rio (River Walk) — a network of walkways along a barge-filled river — corkscrews through the city’s downtown. A buzzy social space, the walk provides access to restaurants, hotels, galleries, historical monuments and shops.
With Spanish spoken as commonly as English and a deep regard for history, the Alamo City has excelled at repurposing its architectural treasures. Don’t miss the Pearl, a distinctive entertainment district hewed into the sprawling grounds of a bygone brewhouse.
With noteworthy museums, acclaimed chefs, a Unesco-listed set of 18th-century Spanish missions (including the illustrious Alamo), a wine region in the surrounding countryside, and biking and hiking paths galore, San Antonio offers options for every sort of traveler.
Where to stay in San Antonio
Texas is famed for its beautiful wide open spaces, and San Antonio offers a whole host of equally gorgeous and expansive suites for your stay.
La Cantera Resort & Spa, Villa Briscoe Suite
The Villa Briscoe Suite is a golf cart ride away from the rest of the resort in the dedicated villa section of the property / ©La Cantera Resort & Spa
Just a few minutes from downtown on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, La Cantera embodies the Texan passion for ranches and wide open spaces. It occupies 500 acres atop the city’s highest hill. Limestone arches, five swimming pools, an immense spa and flowing lawns define the resort.
Choose the 1,600-sq-ft Villa Briscoe Suite, a golf cart ride away from the rest of the resort in the dedicated villa section of the property. Aside from a spacious king room, this suite has a parlor replete with dining area and kitchenette, a terrace with an outdoor shower and fire pit, and a living room complete with a fireplace.
From $1,299 per night. Contact Matt Lauzon, resort manager, +1 855 499 2960, thevillasatlacantera.com
Hotel Emma, Emma Koehler Suite
The Emma Koehler Suite has a grand piano, clawfoot tub and handcrafted custom furniture / ©Hotel Emma
This LEED-certified aesthetic marvel ensconced in the extant innards of the original Pearl Brewery, circa 1883, cleverly draws from its industrial setting. Factory artifacts and repurposed architectural elements — think beer vats flanking a ballroom, chipped plaster walls and a chandelier made from bottle labelers — contrast with tooled leathers, dark woods, velvets, animal skins and damask to create a Mexican ranch-house vibe.
Book the opulent, bi-level Emma Koehler Suite, named for the brewhouse founder’s wife, with a grand piano, clawfoot bathtub, handcrafted custom furniture and a terrace with river views. It also features classic Emma amenities, such as peerless art, etched crystal glasses and seersucker Guayabera robes.
From $7,500 per night. Contact Nathan Griffin, director of revenue management, [email protected], +1 210 448 8331, thehotelemma.com
The Thompson San Antonio, Penthouse Suite
A wealthy city once fed by ranching dynasties, San Antonio has always been an art hub. Celebrating that cultural penchant, the strikingly futuristic, brand-new Thompson San Antonio proudly dominates the Arts District with its curated collection of original contemporary art.
The 20-story hotel captivates with artwork by famed modern artists like Jeff Koons and Koray Akay from its scenic location on the Paseo del Rio. The urbane mood continues in the sleek Penthouse Suite, a 2,100-sq-ft abode featuring a pool table and a private terrace with jaw-dropping views, with ample space for your brood. The suite’s spa bathroom is furnished with a luxurious soaking tub and a six-head shower.
