100 Villita St, San Antonio, Texas, United States | (618) 248-8274
Reasonable rates for a hotel adjacent to the River Walk
Across the street from a River Walk entrance and courthouse
Rooms have mini-fridges and nice coffeemakers
Some rooms have private patios or balconies with nice views
Restaurant, coffee shop, and bar on-site
Heated outdoor pool open year-round
24-hour fitness center with an array of equipment
4,000 square feet of event space
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Covered parking garage available (for a fee)
Concierge services
A seven-minute walk to the heart of the River Walk
Thin walls mean noise travels between rooms
Spotty Wi-Fi reception in the rooms
Some complaints about housekeeping
Restaurant does not serve dinner
The upper-middle-range Riverwalk Plaza Hotel & Suites is
loaded with whimsically funky style. Public spaces feature hand-painted murals,
terrazzo floors, and mosaics that pay homage to San Antonio and its iconic
River Walk. It’s in a quiet location that’s still adjacent to a River Walk
entrance, although it's about a seven-minute walk to its main entrance. Its 129 rooms have mini-fridges and bathrooms with wood vanities and dual showerheads, and some offer balconies or patios. The heated outdoor pool is open year-round and surrounded by a
lovely courtyard, and there’s a coffee shop, restaurant, and bar on-site. Travelers might also want to consider the Riverwalk Vista, which
includes a hot breakfast in the rates.
Scene
A funky tourist hotel by River Walk filled with interesting art
Located on the edge of the River Walk, this funky property offers a break from the cookie-cutter hotel experience. As guests pull into the parking garage, they're greeted by colorful murals along the ceiling and walls. More murals depicting Riverwalk scenes adorn the hotel's hallways, along with historic photos of San
Antonio. The flowing terrazzo floor in the lobby's entrance and multi-colored mosaic tile and stone on the face of the reception desk are works of art in
their own right. The desk’s mosaic also suggests a flowing river, and an aquatic
theme mural encompasses the entire wall behind the desk. Other parts of the
lobby have plush brown-leather sectional sofas and rich
hardwood floors and paneling framing a small fireplace.
Location
On the south end of the River Walk, across the street from the county courthouse
The hotel is situated at the south end of the River Walk,
with an entrance directly across the street. The historic Bexar County
Courthouse is also across the street. The hotel is tucked away from the bustle
of the main tourist areas of the city, and while the area is considered safe,
some guests have reported feeling a bit ill at ease walking in the neighborhood at
night. Some restaurants are within a few minutes’ walk. The main drag of the River Walk is about a
seven-minute walk from the hotel, and it's about a 15-minute walk to the Henry B. Gonzalez
Convention Center, Tower of the Americas, Hemisfair Park, the Alamo, and the Blimpie Rivercenter Mall. A bus stop is a three-minute walk from the hotel, making it possible to visit the city's sights on public transportation. The Amtrak Station is a
nine-minute drive (13 by bus), and the AT&T Center is a 15-minute drive (30
by bus). San Antonio International Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive, or
about an hour away on public transportation.
Rooms
Tastefully decorated with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and nice bathrooms
The 129 rooms at the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel & Suites are decorated in a more straightforward and traditional style than the hotel's whimsically
funky public spaces. Reddish-brown wood
furniture includes dressers, nightstands, side tables, desks, and headboards. The headboards are
distinctive, with an insert of dark espresso-colored padded leather. Oversize
leather armchairs are in the same color. Crown
molding and exposed-brick exterior walls provide a little architectural interest. Soft gold drapes, rust-colored carpets, and bed throws
with squares of copper, rust, and silver warm up the rooms and add a bit of elegance. But granite counters and textured ceiling tiles bring things down a notch. Bathrooms come with large wood vanities with granite tops, magnifying mirrors, and shower/tub combos with dual showerheads. Wallpaper and beige masonry-style tiles add a bit of stylish flair.Standard rooms come with either king or queen beds, two queen beds, or two double beds with a choice of poolside, city, or river views.
Some rooms have private patios or balconies. There are 11 larger suites, including Junior Suites with queen sleeper sofas and Executive Suites with
sleeper sofas and whirlpool tubs. Standard amenities include safes, voice mail, room service, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free bottled water, and coffeemakers. Many guests have complained that in-room Wi-Fi reception is spotty, and that walls are thin, meaning noise travels.
Features
Attractive outdoor pool, event space, 24-hour fitness center, restaurant, and coffee shop
The star feature of the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel could be its heated outdoor pool, which is located on the fourth floor and is open year-round. It's surrounded by a lovely interior courtyard that features teak loungers and tables and lush tropical foliage. But fitness enthusiasts may prefer the hotel's 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight-training machines and free weights, along with a punching bag and boxing gloves. Two options exist for breakfast, and neither is included in the room rates. The on-site coffee shop serves fresh-baked goods and grab-and-go items,
while the bistro offers New American cuisine. Both also are open for lunch. The bar serves light snacks at night from the bistro’s kitchen and
holds weekday happy hour specials and weekend karaoke. Guests receive fresh-baked
cookies upon check-in, and vending machines are located on each floor.Approximately 4,000 square feet of event
space is available, and the 24-hour business center has Internet access and a
printer. The lobby has a lending library as well. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available, as are
concierge services. The hotel has a self-parking garage with
daily fees. An ATM is on site, and the hotel is pet-friendly.