Best areas to stay in San Antonio, Texas – What you need to know
San Antonio is one of the most important historic cities in the state of Texas, in the southern United States.
It is a city of a marked Hispanic character, with a very important role in Texan history.
The quintessential tourist attraction of San Antonio is the Alamo, symbol of the city and the independence of Texas from Mexico.
However, the charms of this city go far beyond the Alamo. Its downtown area and Riverwalk have been renovated to offer a more human face than those of the typical American cities.
The old industrial complex of The Pearl, north of the city, has become an the alternative and hipster hub par excellence and its museums offer a cultural wealth that makes San Antonio a must-see destination for any visitor to Texas.
Accommodation costs in San Antonio are roughly the same as those of other cities of similar size, although it is possible to find great deals if you book in advance. A 3-star hotel night in the Downtown area can cost anywhere from US$80 to US$100, while a budget motel costs around US$45. See accommodation in Downtown San Antonio, Texas.
As for the best areas to stay, the most charming area is around the city’s Riverwalk (See accommodation around San Antonio’s Riverwalk). Another interesting area is the hipster area north of the city center, known as Pearl, near the San Antonio Museum of Art (See accommodation in this area). If you are looking for cheap accommodation, then the West San Antonio area is probably the best neighborhood to stay (See accommodation in West San Antonio).
Below is a guide with the best areas to stay in San Antonio, Texas.
The best areas to stay in San Antonio, Texas
1. Best area: Riverwalk
Without a doubt one of the best areas to stay in San Antonio, Texas.
The Riverwalk is a man-made river promenade, a product of the embankment of the San Antonio River.
The central area of the San Antonio Riverwalk forms a small island, around which you can find the main attractions of the city center, including the cathedral and the famous Alamo.
The Riverwalk is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll, which can be done both on foot and in small water taxis and boats.
The banks of this particular river promenade offer a huge variety of food and drink options, along with leisure facilities, suitable for all budgets.
This area also has some of the best hotel options in the city, concentrating most of the midrange and luxury hotels in San Antonio.
Many of the hotels along the Riverwalk offer terraces and restaurants overlooking this riverside promenade. Also, this area is the best place to stay for travelers visiting San Antonio without a car.
What makes this the best area to stay in San Antonio Texas
- Historical Quarter
- Riverwalk
- The Alamo
- Several museums
- Great restaurants
- Shopping and entertainment areas
- Best area to stay without a car
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickHotel Contessa – Luxury Suites on the Riverwalk is a four star hotel located next to the Riverwalk, in the best area to stay in San Antonio. It has a swimming pool, restaurant by the river and free WiFi.
Midrange OptionBest Western Premier Historic Travelers Hotel Alamo/Riverwalk is a 2-minute walk from the Riverwalk, 3 minutes from The Alamo and 3 minutes from the Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum.
Luxury OptionHilton Palacio del Rio has an outdoor pool and a modern gym. This hotel has several restaurants. All rooms have a private balcony.
2. Around Pearl & The San Antonio Museum of Art
The area to the north of Downtown San Antonio is likely the neighborhood with the most personality in the whole city.
It is an old industrial area that in recent years has reinvented itself into the creative, gastronomic and leisure hub of San Antonio.
The Pearl complex, located on the north side of the Riverwalk, is an old beer factory that is now the alternative and hipster area of the city. With a multitude of eateries, micro-breweries, nightclubs and hotels with an urban and boutique-y style, this former industrial complex is the bohemian epicenter of San Antonio.
The nearby San Antonio Museum of Art is the quintessential cultural institution of San Antonio. It displays a collection of world-class art, with special emphasis on American and Latin American contemporary art.
This is the best area to stay in San Antonio for travelers looking for culture and alternative atmosphere.
What makes this the best area to stay in SATX
- Food central
- Riverwalk
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- Alternative atmosphere
- Leisure and entertainment options
- Boutique hotels
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickWyndham Garden River Walk Museum Reach is just a 4-minute drive from El Álamo and offers an outdoor pool with a hot tub and views of the San Antonio River. All rooms include free Wi-Fi.
Budget OptionThe Inn Downtown / Museum Reach is located in downtown San Antonio, near the intersection of Interstate 37 and Highway 281. The hotel has an outdoor pool and serves a free daily breakfast.
Luxury OptionHotel Emma at Pearl on the Riverwalk, featuring free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool, it is located in the Pearl Brewery Complex in San Antonio, 1.5 miles from The Alamo. It has a solarium, fitness center and bar. It has private parking.
3. North San Antonio and Around San Antonio International Airport
North San Antonio concentrates many of the suburbs of the city.
Due to a history of development to the north, the “North Side” of San Antonio is the largest and, in general, the richest district of the city.
Historically, most of the households in this area are middle to high class.
In the north of the city you can also find San Antonio International Airport (SAT), which is a major gateway for the city and handles about eight million passengers a year. It connects San Antonio with most major destinations in the US. It also has some international routes, specifically to cities in Mexico.
In this area it is possible to find hotels of all categories. However, the area is more appropriate for travelers with a car, as public transportation in San Antonio is not the best.
What makes this the best area to stay in San Antonio, Texas
- Upper class suburbs
- Airport
- All kinds of accommodation
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Budget OptionMotel 6 San Antonio – Splashtown is only 7 miles away from attractions such as the Alamo and the River Walk in San Antonio. It has a seasonal outdoor pool and rooms with free Wi-Fi.
Midrange OptionHilton Garden Inn San Antonio Airport South is located 2.5 miles from San Antonio International Airport. The hotel offers free airport shuttle service, free WiFi, indoor pool and bistro style restaurant.
4. West San Antonio
The West Side of San Antonio is predominantly Hispanic and working class, with some wealthy neighborhoods in the northwest.
The West is one of the fastest growing areas in the San Antonio metropolitan area.
Here you will find SeaWorld San Antonio water park and an important commercial and financial area with some complexes for big local and national companies such as the Northwest Vista College, QVC, Wells Fargo, Coventry Health Care, CitiCorp.
As it happens in the north of the city, this is a good area to stay in San Antonio for travelers with a car.
The West concentrates a lot of motels and affordable options to stay, along with some business and family hotels, particularly near SeaWorld.
What makes this the best area to stay in San Antonio, TX
- SeaWorld San Antonio
- Business areas
- Cheap accommodation
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickSpringHill Suites by Marriott San Antonio SeaWorld®/Lackland is located just 5 miles from SeaWorld San Antonio, it offers modern rooms with a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. It also offers a gym, a well-stocked shop and hot breakfast.
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