Working a 9-5 job can leave many feeling like there just isn’t time to travel. Finding the perfect weekend getaway allows you to spend time away without wasting precious paid time off. San Antonio is a city that has evolved significantly over the last several years. It still flies under the radar in terms of restaurants and hotels, but I will let you know exactly where to spend your time in order to maximize the city’s potential. Here is my guide to your perfect weekend getaway in San Antonio.
Where to Stay
San Antonio has a number of lovely hotels. I am going to provide four options in different areas of the city.
Hotel Emma. Hotel Emma is a gem located in an area called The Pearl. This hotel received the Two Key rating by MICHELIN, and it is one of only three in the state of Texas to receive this accolade. It is evident why this property is receiving rather raving reviews. It has that “it” factor. The beauty of the historic interior will captivate your attention and the restaurant, bar, pool, library, and shops will keep you fascinated with their unique quirks. See all of the details about a stay at Hotel Emma in my post about the property. When you stay at Hotel Emma, you have easy access to The Pearl, which has your pick of restaurants, shopping, and even a lovely Farmer’s market on the weekends. If you are ready to learn more about Hotel Emma, you can find more information about booking here.
The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel. This Marriott Hotel in downtown San Antonio can simply be described as elegant. The lobby is stunning. The rooms are traditionally appointed. They have an amazing restaurant on property called Rebelle. Staying at St. Anthony leaves you in close proximity to some of the attractions downtown such as the Alamo, Majestic Theater, and Hopscotch. If you want to add a spa treatment to your weekend, the Mokara spa at the Omni would be the perfect choice. You also have access to some popular lunch and dinner choices such as La Panaderia, Bohanan’s, and The Esquire Tavern. This leaves you a short car ride or Uber away from The Pearl and Hotel Emma listed above. Click here to learn more about booking a stay at the St. Anthony.
La Cantera Resort. This property is located further north in San Antonio about 30 minutes by car from the properties listed above. It really is a destination in and of itself. If you choose to spend your time here, I recommend you focus your attention and thus your stay on this hotel alone. This property is filled with relaxing activities with my absolute favorite being their spa. This spa is ready to rival all major contenders. There are a few things to consider for your stay. If this is an adults only weekend, think about staying at their floor Seven. Here is a link to all the details of a stay at Seven La Cantera. You can also find more information about my experience at their spa Loma de Vida. Access more information about the property here.
Kimpton Santo. The Kimpton Santo is a newer property in downtown San Antonio. It is in close proximity to Hemisphere Park and many wonderful restaurants in the Southtown area of San Antonio. Decor inside this property is minimalist but lovely. Their rooftop floor has a lot to offer. It is where their gym is located with some great views over the city. They have a rooftop bar that serves up tiki style cocktails. I recommend a visit in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Finally, they have a pool that is perfect for a visit around sunset. Much of the pool area is enclosed, so it isn’t terribly windy. Their rooms have fun, modern art pieces. Beds are comfortable, and they provide lightweight linen robes. This hotel is a great addition to the downtown area.
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Where to get Coffee
Commonwealth. This coffee house has a number of locations throughout town. Their original location in Alamo Heights is a renovated 1920s home with the details preserved. Start with one of their signature flavors for your latte such as the spiced caramel white mocha or their white mocha macadamia and stay for their dill chicken salad croissant. The only downfall is competing for an inside seat if you choose their Alamo Heights location. Their clients seem to want to linger, and understandably so.
Press. This coffee spot is located on Broadway not too far from Commonwealth. They do have a second location further north in San Antonio. Their interesting Mocha Chai Latte left me coming back for a return visit. If you want a quieter place to sit and relax, Press provides less hustle and bustle as compared to Commonwealth. They have a lovely selection of pastries and small bites compared to Commonwealth that serves a more robust menu of food choices. The inside is unique and looks like a small greenhouse.
Merit Coffee. I would describe Merit as the original coffee shop. It has now expanded much beyond its original location in San Antonio and into Dallas and Austin. If you are not in a hurry, it is a place to linger and enjoy the cup of your choice while people watching. They have a location on Broadway in Alamo Heights in addition to Local Coffee in The Pearl. They serve the same coffee with the namesake being slightly different.
Where to Eat
San Antonio’s food scene has made strides since I moved to the city eight years ago. Here is an ever evolving collection of some of my favorites.
Leche de Tigre. This Peruvian restaurant in the Southtown neighborhood is everything you could hope for outside of dining in Peru. Their Ceviche side by side with a Pisco sour might be the perfect combination. They even have Inca Cola on the menu, a bubblegum flavored soda that I haven’t seen outside of Peru. I wouldn’t skip a visit to this restaurant, but the service is a little slower in my experience.
Mixtli. This tasting menu offers a gastronomic journey throughout different regions of Mexico. They focus on a particular area with a rotating menu that changes around every 3 months. Each dish is presented beautifully and can be paired with one of the many wines from their cellar, which holds more than 1200 wines. If you aren’t in the mood for a tasting menu, you can visit just their bar to get a feel for what a meal here might entail. This really is a special experience.
Ladino. I think one of the best ways to experience Ladino is their Happy Hour. Enjoy their cocktails at $5 off with some bites at their bar. You cannot go wrong with their green schug margarita, but they have other innovative choices such as Delphi’s Charm with tequila, beet, aloe, chartreuse, and lime. My favorite food choices are their traditional hummus, spicy feta dip, lamb, and their very fresh tomato salad.
Battalion. If you are interested in Italian food, this is your restaurant. This Southtown restaurant is located in an old fire station with modern decor. It is hard to order a “miss” on their menu. Their spinach dumplings are absolutely not negotiable, you have to order them. They also have some interesting choices for wine, such as a bottle of sparkling from Franciacorta in Italy.
Clementine. Clementine is off the beaten path in a random strip mall in Castle Hills. Making the drive or taking an Uber to this restaurant will most definitely be worth your time, but you have to make the effort. You can bring your own bottle of wine for a corkage fee, or you can peruse their wine list for a bottle from their selection. This restaurant delivers consistently tasty dishes.
Signature. Any stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa requires at least one dinner at Signature. This lovely restaurant is a short bus ride away from the hotel on the property. The bus will return for pick up until 11pm. There are some quite unique dishes to savor and craft cocktails with attention to all the details. As compared to other restaurant choices at La Cantera, this is the clear winner.
Finally, I have heard great things about the mysterious Nicosi Dessert Bar. The attire is upscale, and the menu is coursed. If you are interested, don’t plan on sharing any photos of your experience. No photographs are allowed inside in order to preserve the intrigue for guests who have not had the opportunity to dine here.
To See and Do
Most people would say that the first thing that comes to mind when hearing San Antonio is the Riverwalk. I would personally discourage a visit to the Riverwalk in lieu of the many other less touristy things to do in San Antonio. Having a car is probably the best way to navigate around town, but it is also possible to Uber to desired destinations. Here are my top recommendations of things to see and do:
The Missions. The San Antonio Missions are the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state of Texas. The buildings are truly breathtaking. All of the missions are separate sites and still contain active catholic parishes. Come to admire the architecture and history of these structures that are now greater than 250 years of age. My personal favorite is the Mission Concepcion.
Museums. San Antonio has quite the collection of museums to wander all within a relatively short driving distance. There is the San Antonio Museum of Art, the McNay, the Witte, and The DoSeum to name a few. For a weekend getaway, I would recommend the McNay. This collection of art is housed in a stunning mansion that belonged to Marion McNay. With children, the DoSeum offers an exciting choice for family fun.
The Pearl. The historic Pearl Brewery has gotten better and better with time. This area off Broadway Street in close proximity to downtown has developed and expanded significantly over the last several years. It offers restaurants, shops, a farmer’s market, a spa, and entertainment options like Jazz Texas. The Pullman Market is a newer addition to this area. Wander inside to see all of the specialty products including a unique selection of wines. For shopping at The Pearl, Feliz Modern and The Tiny Finch are some of my favorite stores.
If you are looking for another option for wine, Little Death Wine bar is in close proximity to The Pearl. Their store allows you to stay for one of their offerings by the glass or purchase a bottle to stay or go. They have a small selection of food and plenty of unique bottles to choose from that you may not find at your traditional wine store. Some recent favorites of mine have been a bottle of sparkling from Hungary and a Vouvray from the Loire Valley.
San Antonio Botanical Garden. The botanical garden in San Antonio is a sanctuary of relaxation. Dependent upon the time of year, they offer seasonal decorations and art installations. One of my favorite times to visit is around Christmas, but the grounds are beautiful year round. This is a great place to visit for all ages. Their restaurant on property, Jardin, provides the perfect brunch or lunch before or after your visit to the garden. Their mediterranean inspired cuisine includes small plates to pair with the perfect cocktail.
Texas Hill Country. I couldn’t possibly end this article without discussing the Texas Hill Country. If you have a long weekend, consider adding one day in the Texas Hill Country. There are small communities such as Fredericksburg, Wimberly, and Boerne that will pour on plenty of charm for a relaxing time away from the bustle of the city. Fredericksburg is set to soon open the Albert Hotel with alluring renderings that I cannot keep my eyes off. Wineries can be found throughout the area adding a different element to your getaway. Ab Astris winery is one that I thoroughly enjoy.
Whether you are looking to plan your staycation, day trip, or weekend getaway, San Antonio should be on your list for a short jaunt out of town. Let this be your guide to all of the best ways to spend your time.
