After nearly three years of work and millions of dollars spent remodeling, The St. Anthony Hotel can again be called the “Queen of San Antonio.” Originally built in 1909, the city’s first luxury hotel is now a historically modern property located just blocks from the Alamo and the River Walk.

© Barbara and Jim Twardowski

From the garage, we stepped inside the Loggia, a glass-enclosed room where arched windows overlook the hotel’s “front yard,” Travis Park. Reminiscent of grand homes from the 1930s, the sunroom’s comfy cane-back chairs and historic pendants make a delightful place for an afternoon coffee and people watching.

In the opulent lobby, gilded swans and ram heads adorned the furniture, arranged on vibrant emerald green rugs — a defining color theme seen throughout the hotel. Chandeliers, almost identical to those on the Titanic, sparkled from the soaring ceilings. The elongated space with a fireplace, original Calcutta marble floors, grand staircase and sculpted columns are anchored by a 1924 Steinway grand concert piano. The Russian government ordered the custom-made instrument for its Paris embassy.

We checked into the hotel at the curved reception desk covered with stamped leather panels, handcrafted by a Texas artist. The staff filled us in on the hotel’s amenities before giving us the key to our wheelchair-accessible superior king room. The modern space was a monochromatic palette of grays with a punch of emerald green pillows. A lounging bench was at the foot of the bed, which had a tall headboard with much-appreciated reading lamps. A desk, 42-inch flat-panel television, refreshment center and minibar, in-room safe, Bose radio and complimentary WiFi completed the room’s features. The enormous marble bathroom with a well-designed roll-in shower contained a long double vanity. The artwork on the walls showcased intriguing photos of jewels shaped into floral patterns. Later, we learned the hotel hosted many royals during the city’s colorful celebration known as Fiesta and the Battle of the Flowers parade. The photos are close-up shots of the stunning gowns worn by royalty. The hotel plays homage to this event in the stylized, oversized rose pattern of the custom carpets and etched-glass lighting.

© Barbara and Jim Twardowski

The hotel’s Library Cafe only serves breakfast and it’s a meal one should not miss. Some of the more unique selections include savory duck crêpes, banana praline pain perdu and the Mexican-inspired steak and eggs made with achiote-grilled beef. Lunch and dinner are presented in Rebelle, where the menu offers sharing plates and single portions of coastal seafood and farm-fresh produce, which has garnered the praise of Texas Monthly magazine as one of the best new restaurants in the state. After dinner, cocktails can be enjoyed at either the Haunt or the St. Antony Club. Another spot for relaxation is under the stars beside the rooftop pool.

Each guestroom at the St. Anthony is uniquely configured. The renovation reduced the total number of rooms from 355 to 277. The hotel is a National Historic Landmark with the glamour and elegance of a bygone era in a completely contemporary setting affluent travels expect.

The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

300 E. Travis St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
tel 210 227 4392