San Antonio, TX: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is most popular from May to mid-August. Families on summer vacation flood the city, and hotel rates tend to spike. While events like the Texas Folklife Festival in June offer an enticing reason to visit, this isn’t the best time to see the city. Summer temperatures can spike into the upper 90s, and the press of people can make it seem even hotter.

There’s a brief shoulder season in the fall, where crowds ebb somewhat and the temperatures begin to fall. You can enjoy the popular Oktoberfest activities during this season.

The best time to visit San Antonio is between November and April. This period brings the Dia de los Muertos festival in November, San Antonio Rock n’ Roll Marathon in December, and Alamo Bowl in January. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo heats things up in February and March, and Fiesta San Antonio takes place in April. Though crowds will ebb and flow somewhat to coincide with these special events, this season consistently offers comfortable weather and good hotel deals.

Best Discounts in San Antonio, Texas

It’s usually best to look for hotel discounts with familiar chains. Loyalty to a preferred hotel brand will often pay off through rewards points. If you stay at your favorite hotels often enough, you may find you’ve earned a steep discount or special deal for your stay in San Antonio.

Hyatt hotels like the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk are eligible for rewards points. However, there are some deals you can enjoy even if you’re not a rewards program member. The Bed and Breakfast package gives you a hot breakfast for two every morning at the “Q” Restaurant.

Best Western is a big name around San Antonio, with options that include the Best Western Plus Sunset Suites-Riverwalk, Best Western Plus Medical Center South, and Best Western Posada Ana Inn-Airport. This chain offers discounts for AAA, CAA, and AARP members, as well as government employees, military personnel, and seniors.

If you have your eye on a Marriott hotel, such as the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk, you can take advantage of discounts for government employees, military personnel, seniors age 62 and over, AAA members, and CAA members. Many Marriott locations also offer special package discounts for romantic weekends, family vacations, and seasonal travel.

While many hotel deals are associated with chains, you can also find offers at local accommodations. The Hotel Contessa offers special deals which include tickets to popular nearby attractions like the riverboat. The Hotel Contessa also offers discounts for military personnel and Texas residents.

Best Value Options in San Antonio, Texas

Great value hotels come with a reasonable price tag and an extensive range of amenities. With these hotels, you can enjoy a comfortable stay that doesn’t break the bank, but doesn’t leave you with bare-bones hotel features either.

The El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel is a prime example of a value-packed option in San Antonio. The chic, modern design and bold color palette in this hotel bring the spirit of the city to life in a vibrant way. The comfortable rooms feature Keurig coffeemakers, complimentary daily newspapers, wireless Internet, and 37-inch flat-screen televisions. The hotel offers on-site dining at Mangos restaurant, Tiki’s Lounge, and Expresso’s Café. The Strive Fitness Studio is perfect for travelers who want to keep healthy while they’re away.

The SpringHill Suits San Antonio Downtown/Alamo Plaza offers a complimentary hot breakfast and free WiFi. The 24/7 Market provides for all your needs while you’re away from home. An outdoor heated pool and whirlpool provide recreational opportunities right on-site. Rooms in this all-suite hotel are spacious and accommodating, with a pull-out sofabed, refrigerator, wet bar, and microwave.

Another affordable all-suite option in San Antonio is the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, San Antonio Airport. Accommodations here include microwaves and refrigerators, so you’ll have no problem dining comfortably in your room. Suits include a media hub, two televisions, and a sleeper sofa. Mornings begin with a complimentary breakfast featuring bacon, eggs, waffles, and more. The lobby bar is open in the evenings, while an indoor pool offers added fun all day.

Getting Around San Antonio, Texas

You don’t need a car to get around San Antonio. Public transportation is readily available to help you navigate the city. The E is a free downtown circulator that visits the most popular restaurants, cultural sites, and entertainment venues. It operates Tuesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to Midnight.

The Streetcar is another option for downtown transportation. Though it’s not free, a day pass is less than $3 and lets you hop on and off as needed while you explore the city.

The River Taxi is a particularly enjoyable option for getting around San Antonio. Though passes are slightly more expensive, this method of travel is the most picturesque. Hopping on a River Taxi will give you a chance to soak up some of the real flavor of the city as you sail along the water.

Interested in getting some exercise on your vacation? You don’t have to hole up in the hotel’s gym. Use the city's bike-share program. B-Cycle lets you rent community bicycles around the city, using any bike for a period of up to 30 minutes.

If you don’t really know where you want to go, San Antonio has one public transportation option that will do some of the planning for you. The Sightseer Special Bus runs on a custom route through the city’s most popular attractions, including the Alamo, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Zoo, and Japanese Tea Garden.

Whether you are on a budget or ready to splurge, San Antonio has something for your trip. Get ready to experience this Texan highlight now.

San Antonio, TX in a nutshell

Chockfull of the Lone Star State's cultural high points, historic San Antonio is one of the scenic cities in America's Southwest region steeped in honor. It is home to the Alamo, an enduring symbol of freedom and bravery for Texans. Once a settlement for the historic missions of Spain, San Antonio entices with its multi-cultural offerings. The city's architecture is rooted on its Spanish and Mexican heritage. Around San Antonio, you'll find buildings bearing traditional "Mission-style" elements as seen from McNay Art Museum. In the King William District, wonderfully restored Victorian houses reflect more of the European influences in the city. The heart of contemporary San Antonio lies in its River Walk, an area that stretches for 3 miles along the banks of the timeless river. The densely packed enclave bustles with activity coming from the bars, restaurants, shops and clubs. When they said not to mess with Texas, you won't dare miss an invite to indulge yourself with a drink to partake of the definitive San Antonio experience.

'God known I love this place. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
Jeff Smisek, the founder and the president of one of the world's largest airlines “ United Airlines “ was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and to this day, seems to cherish his love for this home city of his, despite all the accolades and riches gathered by him. 
That's San Antonio for you. 

It's as Texan as it gets. Texan way of life revolves around three things “ good family life, good religious life and good culinary life. San Antonio, in this regard, is a very definition of being Texan. In spite of all the progress made, all the high-rises built and all the monuments erected, San Antonio, at its very core, is a Southern city that loves to operate in its own bubble, unaware of happenings of the outside world. 

Those tourists who are thinking of visiting San Antonio in near future should be reminded that a trip to San Antonio is as much about exploring the city and nearby areas, as it is about sightseeing. Seeing sights should not be pushed so high up the priority list of your roster that you are left with no time to actually feel and sense the spirit of this beautiful city.

To make your plan making exercises just a tad easier, we have brought to you a quick round up of various grades of San Antonio hotels.  

Budget Hotels in San Antonio 

San Antonio is a city that is seventh most populated city in the whole of the United States. When you actually consider the names that San Antonio has overtaken in this regard (San Diego, Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, etc.), you will have an inkling of an idea about what it is that has attracted so many people here in the first place. 

At present, the population of San Antonio is just about 1 million or so, and annual tourist footfall in this city hovers at 250,000 mark, on an average. The sheer number of hotels in San Antonio reflects this fact. 

Considering this, it is quite well understandable that San Antonio houses many cheap hotels that allow tourists to save big on their stays here. 

Out of all these potentially cheap hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton “ a budget range by Hilton “ is a special choice. It offers the brand of luxury that we generally associate Hilton with, along with great location and even more attractive prices! 

Grand Inn & Suites also provide a viable option for tourists, with nightly fares starting from $40 or so. Microtel Suites is a hotel that's worth checking for availability, if you can manage with slightly higher nightly prices ($65 or so). 

Seeking Solace in San Antonio 

San Antonio, being a leading consumer city in the United States, does feature a number of luxury hotel chain operated resorts and hospitality suites. The best part of living in a luxury hotel while staying in a city like San Antonio is that you get to experience the best of both worlds “ rugged outdoorsy style of the city and its sights, and comfortably lavish style of luxury hotels in San Antonio. 

There are over two dozen posh five-star hotel establishments operating in San Antonio, and pretty much all of them are overflowing with tourists and travelers all year round. The most notable among them, however, is the Westin Riverwalk “ a hotel that might put the best in the business to a glaring ignominy. 

Loaded with eye-catching chandeliers and brain-pleasing interior decor, Westin Riverwalk presents a solace of oasis kind in the midst of hot, dusty San Antonio streets. 

Similarly popular are JW Marriott San Antonio and Mokara Hotel and Spa. Both of these are best known for their immaculately stately suites and delicious delicacies from around the globe. 

Sightseeing in San Antonio 

There are quite a few sights to see here in San Antonio and the only limiting problem “ a bottleneck of sorts “ for you will be availability of time for you. San Antonio is a popular tourist city, but the number of people visiting here chiefly on some business purpose is not insignificant either. For that contingent of visitors, visiting each and every sight that San Antonio has to offer to them is not really a viable prospect. Hence, choosing wisely becomes an essential aspect of sightseeing in San Antonio. 

The best way to pack all the sights of San Antonio in one affordable, manageable and convenient package is to book your tickets for the daily double-decker bus city tours organized by the local authorities. This tour allows you to truly enjoy the blissful and sunlit San Antonio weather while soaking in the aura of all monumental sights. 

The River Walk is a great place to spend some lovely time with your family and just reconnect with your loved ones like never before. The Cathedral of San Fernando offers a lesson in peace and humility, coupled ably with its beautifully designed building oozing with Spanish influences. 

Art lovers can head to McNay Art Museum, the first ever museum of modern arts in the state of Texas. Also notable are San Antonio Museum of Art and Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. 

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's five missions lie in the vicinity of San Antonio. Alamo site “ among these “ has been the most famous and classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Things to Remember When Sightseeing in SA

When you are sightseeing in San Antonio, the only thing you need to remember is that the weather “ hot and dry “ might get to you if you are not aware of its workings.

Whenever you are sightseeing, make it a point to carry a loaded bottle of plain water or energy drinks. 

Ideal Time to Visit San Antonio

The most ideal time for tourists to visit San Antonio is during the fall “ from August to October. Weather is quite pleasant here during these months, coupled by cheap prices put up by San Antonio hotels. Tourists can also choose to visit during high summer, if they are comfortable with hot weather.