MarthaB

My husband has a conference at the Westin La Cantera this fall. My son (10) and I are also planning to go. We don't golf, so the Riverwalk sounds like it might be a better choice, but dh would have to commute to the Westin around 7:30 am returning around 5:00 pm. Would the commutes be bad? Any road construction?

We might stay at the Drury Inn which I know isn't as fancy as the Westin, but it seems to be in a lively location...plus the three free drinks at night sound good. (We would have to stay at the Drury, btw.) Hmmm...plush hotel out in Hill Country with fancy pool or hotel in Riverwalk?

Is the Riverwalk safe? One person mentioned that she didn't feel safe walking from the Marketplace back to the Drury Inn even during the day. Any thoughts on this?

Any nearby restaurants or sightseeing suggestions? We're not looking for fancy -- just fun!

Any other tips would be appreciated. We will be there for four days, btw.

Thanks! <)

AnnMarie_C

Yes, the city is currently consumed with road construction. In fact, it is so bad in places a visitor from Perry Hall, Maryland (just outside of Baltimore) wrote the local newspaper last week to complain about the construction and congestion.

The Westin is in a beautiful location north of the city and is close to great shopping, the Hill Country and Fiesta Texas. I would stay there and head downtown after rush hour. I-10 is under major construction south of 410 and even though your husband would drive against the bulk of rush hour traffic it wouldn't be worth the aggravation, imo.

I've been downtown by myself during the day, night and very early morning hours and have never felt unsafe-- unusual for a scardie cat like me but I've always felt comfortable there, even in the parking garages.

Hope this helps.

This may come through in stereo...having trouble posting again.

volcanogirl

We've always felt safe on the Riverwalk in SA. They offer tours on the river on these cute little boat barges - might be a fun activity for you.

SA also offers Sea World and the Alamo. I would definitely try to eat on the Riverwalk. We ate at Boudro's, and it was really good - they made tableside guacamole, and we had prickly pear margaritas. Rio rio is good for Tex-Mex food. We've always felt safe on the Riverwalk, but I've been dying to try the Hyatt Hill Country Resort - we're heading there next month; it has a lazy river that runs around the hotel, so you can just relax and float, and the spa there is supposed to be nice as well.

danal

I live about 3 miles from the Westin and would stay there in a heartbeat. The hotel is beautiful As others have said the construction at I-10/410 is really bad. Your husband could easily spend 45 minutes driving in each direction. You won't be disappointed in the Westin.

mattdill

I've actually stayed at the Drury Inn on the riverwalk, and really was happy there. The service I received was great! The free breakfast was actually pretty good and free drinks later in the day were definately a bonus.

I had my wife and two children (4 and 2 years old) along, and never once did we feel unsafe. It's kind of located at the end of the riverwalk, but you could still just walk out the back door of the hotel and you're there on the river. I felt like as long as you didn't have to venture up to the street level, then you were pretty safe.

I just couldn't go to San Antonio and not stay on the Riverwalk. And I would definately stay at the Drury again.

MarthaB

Thanks for the good advice. I'm writing it all down.

We've decided to stay one night at the Drury and three at the Westin. Looking through our AAA book, it looks like there are plenty of things to go see and do. No matter what, I'm sure it will be a fun time. It is Texas after all!

Thanks again!

OO

Hi Martha...good choice--you will enjoy La Cantera even though you aren't golfers. It's a pretty resort.

I want to add that although I always feel safe on the Riverwalk, day or night, the area you mentioned, from the market, or El Mercado, walking back to the Riverwalk, I do understand people being uneasy. I certainly would not do that walk at night, but even in the day I'm a little uncomfortable in parts of it, although I've done it a couple of times and probably will continue to, simply because it's far easier for me to find my way around downtown walking than it is driving!! There is a trolley that you can catch if you want to avoid the walk.

AnnMarie_C

I love that idea, MarthaB, and I would follow OO's sage advice, she gets downtown waaaay more than I do.

Enjoy a great trip!