Last year I planned so much, we were exhausted and didn't get a chance to enjoy our beautiful hotel pool. This year, I thought I'd slow it down a bit and not overplan. Here's where I need your input and suggestions. Hotel rooms are drastically higher than they were this time last year, for some reason. I am finding really nice hotels for $125 a night. The same room that we had last year for $68 is now $115. I am also finding budget hotels for $50. Nothing in the middle. Would you blow the whole trip budget on a nicer hotel or would you get the cheaper hotel so you don't have to pinch pennies while on the trip? or, If you happen to know of a good deal on a decent hotel with a nice pool, will you please let me know that too. I would like to stay Riverwalk - of course, or near UTSA in NW San ANtonio or near the zoo.
objective : enjoy the hotel but do so without sticker shock! My stepson just movedt to San Antonio for college last month and he's homesick. We just want to take the kids to the zoo and spend time with our son. So, no theme parks this time around.
Just a reminder, if you stay on the Riverwalk most of the hotels will charge a parking fee. I found out the hard way. They don't mention this until you get there. Also the parking garages are really hard to get into if you drive a truck.
Whenever we stay in SA we always go on priceline.com and put in a bid for a 5 star hotel on the Riverwalk. Marriott always accepts our bid - we've never stayed anywhere else that way. There are 2 Marriotts - River Center and Riverwalk. Both are across the street/river from each other and are very nice and has nice river views if you can score a room w/a river view.
I happen to be planning a trip to San Antonio the weekend after next with a girlfriend of mine. We are staying at the Holiday Inn on the Riverwalk for a total of $138 (with tax). I chose it because I wanted to stay somewhere on the riverwalk and it was the cheapest one and I've been to it before. It's really nice. So if you're interested in staying on the riverwalk check them out. However there are less expensive ones that are near the riverwalk (in walking distance) if you want to check them out. You can visit the following website to get some ideas of what is there on the riverwalk: http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ - as far as your specific question, I would get a less expensive hotel but one in a nice area that still offers the amneties that you are looking for so that you don't have to stress too much over costs for other things. Good luck and have fun!!
I'm just throwing this out there, Drury Inn is a very nice hotel, with a pool (the one off of IH-10 and DeZavala has a pool inside, which is still very nice, but you may want one outside. Anyway, they have a GREAT Breakfast for free and around 5 PM have a snack time, but the buffet is a meal in itself, they have nachos, large hot dogs you can have chili and/or cheese on, salad, and some other foods (haven't been to it in a while) plus if you like an adult drink they give one or two free ones. I guess the hotel is probably upper 80-100, but if you think about it, you have 2 free meals, so it's pretty worth it.
Another thing is, if you try priceline and pick a 4 star hotel and put in a low rate like 60 or 70, you may actually get that price. I've done that before on a 4 star hotel (Omni) you get to pick the area and only paid $65 for it and the going rate was $120; you probably could even put downtown area put in 4 stars, then how much you would like to pay, I always see what the going rate is and take about 40% off. The only problem with priceline is you don't know what you get until it takes your money... that's why I only do 4 stars unless the "3" stars look pretty nice, will not go under a 3 star hotel with Priceline.
Enjoy San Antonio, I think it's beautiful...
Hubby and I just got back. We stayed at the Hyatt Hillcountry Resort and Spa. This was for our 25th Anniversary. It was $$. I didn't want to be by the Riverwalk. We always stay near and I wanted something different. Also, hotels tend to run a little more the closer you get to the Riverwalk. There is a LaQuinta just off the Riverwalk. Its across from the mall. I didn't think the price was too bad. I don't know what your objective is on the vacation. Do you plan to go to Seawold and Fiesta? If so, then I would do the discount hotel and spend the $$ on the activities. If you just want to relax and have a nice pool then I would spend the $$ on the hotel. Either way you are going to have a blast! I love San Antonio!!!
