50th birthday in San Antonio
Sep 17th, 2005, 02:30 PM
#1
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50th birthday in San Antonio
Hi - two couples are thinking of doing a long weekend in San Antonio the first part of November to celebrate a 50th birthday. Would appreciate ideas on where to stay(hill country or downtown), two nice restaurants, outdoor activities, etc. Thanks!
Sep 17th, 2005, 08:07 PM
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Uh, travelonsmiling, have you had a bad experience in SA or something?
Now, to respond to OP's question -
Hard to recommend lodging without knowing what you like (romantic vs. outdoorsy, etc.) but as for restaurants - The Lodge in Castle Hills, without a doubt. Make reservations.
Second place - Silo if you have the least bit of a foodie spirit. Rosario's if you like Mexican or Tex/Mex and can't get it at home, don't mind if it is not a quiet environment. For good TexMex in a quieter environment, La Paloma Blanca on Broadway or La Fonda on Main.
Great non-chain hotels in downtown - La Mansion, Emily Morgan. New, "trendy" Hotel Valencia (think W hotels with less attitude)
Hill country - Hyatt Hill Country Resort (first choice) or Westin La Cantera (not a shabby second)
Now, to respond to OP's question -
Hard to recommend lodging without knowing what you like (romantic vs. outdoorsy, etc.) but as for restaurants - The Lodge in Castle Hills, without a doubt. Make reservations.
Second place - Silo if you have the least bit of a foodie spirit. Rosario's if you like Mexican or Tex/Mex and can't get it at home, don't mind if it is not a quiet environment. For good TexMex in a quieter environment, La Paloma Blanca on Broadway or La Fonda on Main.
Great non-chain hotels in downtown - La Mansion, Emily Morgan. New, "trendy" Hotel Valencia (think W hotels with less attitude)
Hill country - Hyatt Hill Country Resort (first choice) or Westin La Cantera (not a shabby second)
Sep 18th, 2005, 10:49 AM
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I used to live in SA. You will absolutely have a more enjoyable, carefree, easy access, party atmosphere, walking distance, relaxing, great dining, entertainment, memorable time if you stay in downtown SA.
Sep 18th, 2005, 02:00 PM
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Any thing on the Riverwalk would be great for a weekend. SA is wonderful little city and my DH and I had a blast several years ago.
We loved The Rhein Steak House, Laundray's, Rosarios, Paesano's and a little German deli in the middle of town (i can't remember the name).
For a weekend it would be great.
We loved The Rhein Steak House, Laundray's, Rosarios, Paesano's and a little German deli in the middle of town (i can't remember the name).
For a weekend it would be great.
Sep 18th, 2005, 03:21 PM
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That deli is called Schilo's, and thay still make their own root beer!
The Little Rhein steak house is an old standby in SA - I don't often eat there not becasue is it bad but becasue it is usually full of tourists and I am bad about making reservations. Next door is the Fig tree, an SA institution for years that serves a continental menu that is quite nice, just not very exciting.
Gretchen - the historic downtown hotel you mention is probably one of the following:
La Mansion del Rio - housed in a building that was once a Spanish colonial convent - one of the best in downtown, great restaurants and top notch service. Try for a room with a balcony overlooking the Riverwalk. Recently opened its Watermark spa which is getting rave reviews.
Gunther (now managed by Sheraton)- nice, comfortable, not fabulous but nothing at all wrong with it.
Emily Morgan - great example of adaptive reuse of a historic building, heavy on guest amenities and a restaurant (Oro) that is very well reviewed. Not right on the Riverwalk but just a block or so from it, overlooks Alama Plaza.
St. Anthony (now managed by Intercontinental) reputedly the world's first hotel with central air conditioning. OK, not as conveniently located as some others.
The Menger - next door to the Alamo, home of the bar where Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders; famous for its mango ice cream. Sort of frayed around the edges in many places but has been undergoing renovations.
The Little Rhein steak house is an old standby in SA - I don't often eat there not becasue is it bad but becasue it is usually full of tourists and I am bad about making reservations. Next door is the Fig tree, an SA institution for years that serves a continental menu that is quite nice, just not very exciting.
Gretchen - the historic downtown hotel you mention is probably one of the following:
La Mansion del Rio - housed in a building that was once a Spanish colonial convent - one of the best in downtown, great restaurants and top notch service. Try for a room with a balcony overlooking the Riverwalk. Recently opened its Watermark spa which is getting rave reviews.
Gunther (now managed by Sheraton)- nice, comfortable, not fabulous but nothing at all wrong with it.
Emily Morgan - great example of adaptive reuse of a historic building, heavy on guest amenities and a restaurant (Oro) that is very well reviewed. Not right on the Riverwalk but just a block or so from it, overlooks Alama Plaza.
St. Anthony (now managed by Intercontinental) reputedly the world's first hotel with central air conditioning. OK, not as conveniently located as some others.
The Menger - next door to the Alamo, home of the bar where Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders; famous for its mango ice cream. Sort of frayed around the edges in many places but has been undergoing renovations.
Sep 19th, 2005, 05:43 AM
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Oh you will love SanAntonio!
Did you do a search here, its
been discussed quite a bit.
And its a great place for any
celebration.
Definitely stay on the RiverWalk
or nearby.
We stayed in a BestWestern just
off the Riverwalk that was extremely
nice and well priced at the time
(its been a few years)
and included a nice breakfast.
There's alot of history there to
explore, not the least being
The Alamo.
Have fun!
Did you do a search here, its
been discussed quite a bit.
And its a great place for any
celebration.
Definitely stay on the RiverWalk
or nearby.
We stayed in a BestWestern just
off the Riverwalk that was extremely
nice and well priced at the time
(its been a few years)
and included a nice breakfast.
There's alot of history there to
explore, not the least being
The Alamo.
Have fun!
Sep 19th, 2005, 06:54 AM
#12
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How uplifting and invigorating to see the great reviews of SA - glad you all enjoyed yourselves here. And travelonsmiling, guess yours is the exceptional experience that proves the rule. Good thing that flights both arrive and depart!
Sep 19th, 2005, 08:20 AM
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Put us in the column of those that loved San Antonio! Very unique, fun city with so much to see.
You should stop at the Alamo but its now just the outside shell of the building, there's not much to see inside. And when we were there in 1999, there were so many tourists inside you could hardly move.
There are other missions in San Antonio that are much better, some are still being used today for services. While touring, we came in at the end of a service and it was really lovely and very inspirational.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express a block from the river walk. At the time it seemed nicer than the average express (and they're fine anyway) in addition to serving homemade breakfast burritos with a real kick to them.
Enjoy your weekend!
You should stop at the Alamo but its now just the outside shell of the building, there's not much to see inside. And when we were there in 1999, there were so many tourists inside you could hardly move.
There are other missions in San Antonio that are much better, some are still being used today for services. While touring, we came in at the end of a service and it was really lovely and very inspirational.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express a block from the river walk. At the time it seemed nicer than the average express (and they're fine anyway) in addition to serving homemade breakfast burritos with a real kick to them.
Enjoy your weekend!
