I am in search of a nice 4-star hotel along the riverwalk in San Antonio. Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk? What did you think? Any great recommendations? I am looking for something other than a "standard" looking hotel, with a modern decor and uniqueness to it.

The Westin Riverwalk is exceptional. It certainly has a modern decor and great service. Not sure I would call it unique though.

True 4*'s mean only one thing, Mobil 4*, not another rating system, and the only one in downtown San Antonio, is not Marriott, not Hyatt, and not Westin, but the Watermark Hotel and Spa. That's it. No other Mobil 4*'s in town!

Now if you want 4 diamond, or PCLN 4* then you have Westin, Hyatt, Marriott, probably La Mansion, but I'm not positive.

OO...Of COURSE the Hyatt Regency is 6*.....Mr OO runs the joint!! ....La Mansion is 3* 4D but I dont care for it..kinda stuffy know what I mean....

BeachBoi...you got it...way beyond 4 or even 5.

At least you all know I'm not out to toot his horn. LOL Really doesn't matter to me where people stay, but for right now, Watermark is numero uno. I don't know about stuffy--they are the sister hotel to La Mansion so it's possible. Their restaurant, Pesca, is excellent too.

We stayed at the Hotel Valencia and loved it. The decor is quite unique, the bar was cool and the rooms had high ceilings and very comfy beds. We had a room with a balcony that overlooked the river. I think it might fit the bill for what you are looking for.

There's also the Emily Morgan Hotel - across the street from the Alamo, about a block or two from Riverwalk, and haunted! My sister-in-law swears that she heard screaming the night we stayed there. A very comfortable hotel, though.

Question -- will "modern" today still be the same as what was "modern" 9 years ago when the question was asked?

Oh... touche!