Historic Opulence and Modern Convenience: The St. Anthony in San Antonio

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Wander the luxurious and historic St. Anthony Hotel and discover more must-see places to visit in San Antonio, Texas.

White-gloved hotel staff opened brass-trimmed glass doors as we arrived at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, located only 650 feet from the famed River Walk and 1,300 feet from The Alamo. Near the front desk, richly upholstered round seating contributed sophistication and vintage ambiance.



The St. Anthony

Chandeliers in The St. Anthony replicate those on the Titanic. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.

Crystal chandeliers, which replicated fixtures used on the Titanic, blazed brilliantly in the long hallway, which led to expansive meeting rooms. Tall columns and wrought iron light fixtures decorated the area, and glass doors opened onto an enclosed sun porch. Swarovski crystals cast light through a beautiful upper lobby, and black and white photos of famous past guests lined hallways that led to individual guest rooms.

On the sixth floor, a small gym featured free and hand weights, treadmills, and city views. Also on this level, I visited the pristine heated rooftop swimming pool where inviting chaises, patio umbrellas, and rental cabanas – the perfect spot to read a book, enjoy quiet conversation, or sip a cocktail from the outdoor bar – beckoned.

The St. Anthony

The hotel’s heated rooftop pool features ample seating and an outdoor bar. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.


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A large professional group enjoyed cocktails at another outdoor bar, on top of the hotel, amid a large open-air courtyard surrounded by red tile roofs and stark white stucco.



Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1909 hotel had a reputation for its opulence and wide range of famous guests. My casually elegant high-ceilinged Deluxe Room included a king bed with an upholstered headboard and two reading lights, plus an upholstered chaise lounge topped with emerald pillows. This brilliant hue also colored the interior of a cabinet with safe and clothing drawers and appeared throughout the hotel.

The St. Anthony

A Deluxe Room combined retro touches and modern amenities. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.

I had asked about getting a small refrigerator for my room in advance, and was told they would try to accommodate my request. But upon my arrival, every one of them had been taken. It surprised me that there was no coffeemaker in the room until I learned I could pour fresh java from a gorgeous coffee urn downstairs (as well as decaf and hot water for tea) – by 6 a.m. daily. I was delighted to access free WiFi service with minimal effort, a feature many luxury hotels seem to charge for, unless you are a preferred guest.

A wall-spanning mirror hung above the double vanity in my spacious bathroom. The toilet stood behind frosted glass, across from a huge tiled shower with bench seating. Although I would have loved to soak in a deep tub, too, I understood the constraints of ‘retrofitting’ this historic property. But I snuggled into a cozy robe each night and enjoyed chocolates on my pillow.

My 9th-floor room provided beautiful views of nearby Travis Park and a commercial building whose brightly lit and ever-changing colors, each night, celebrated the ongoing San Antonio Fiesta.

The St. Anthony

My room overlooked Travis Park. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.

Dinner is Served

Our first evening began with house-crafted cocktails served amid the modern and dramatic ambiance of Rebelle, where meals are shared, and many dishes incorporate Texas’ rich agriculture plus fresh seafood.

The St. Anthony

The bar at Rebelle had a sleek and sexy vibe. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.

We then moved to a small private dining room and shared plates that ranged from fresh oysters and premium beef to house-made gnocchi with wild mushrooms and berry-studded crème Brule. Everyone had plenty.

The St. Anthony

Fresh oysters were on the shared menu at Rebelle. Photo courtesy Lisa Waterman Gray.

During dinner, we also received a visit from the 2017 King of the upcoming Texas Cavaliers River Parade, featuring more than 40 festively decorated and lit floats that would travel down the San Antonio River after dark.

Beyond The St. Anthony

No matter what time of year you visit San Antonio, this city’s famed River Walk beckons. You can sip a prickly pear margarita at a restaurant patio beside the San Antonio River or catch more views from the deck of a ‘river taxi’ – a flat-bottomed boat that lazily transports people along this iconic waterway. During our boat trip, small waterfalls flowed beyond stone arches. There was lush greenery everywhere, and mariachi bands played for enthusiastic bar patrons.

I strolled along the River Walk and climbed tile-faced, stone steps from river level to La Villita Historic Arts Village, San Antonio’s oldest historic neighborhood. It’s full of galleries and shops selling collectibles to handcrafted leather goods. Snack on Mexican sweetbreads, such as pan dulce or churros, premium ice cream, and craft brews.

San Antonio’s antique missions invite exploration, and there’s no more famous local structure than The Alamo, a rich historical outpost in the heart of this modern city. The state’s most frequently visited historic landmark. This mission-turned-fortress was the site of an infamous 1836 battle between soldiers from the Alamo and the Mexican army, which left much of it in ruins.

Bountiful Breakfast at The St. Anthony

Our press group enjoyed great food throughout the city, so I waited until our last morning before ordering breakfast at The St. Anthony, in the Library Cafe. I skipped biscuits with country gravy, eggs Benedict, and banana pancakes and created my own omelet, a tasty concoction of cheddar cheese plus mushrooms, tomato, and spinach. It arrived piping hot, alongside thick wheat toast and tender breakfast potato chunks.

Bottomless coffee, a trio of tiny jam jars, and easy-to-spread butter accompanied this filling meal, served amid dark wood, creamy leather, and deep crown moldings. The café ambiance felt simultaneously cozy and refined. Soon afterward, I collected my bags from the hotel valet, sat in our tour van, and headed towards San Antonio International Airport, only 7.5 miles drive from the hotel.

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When You Go to The St. Anthony

The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, operates at 300 E. Travis Street in San Antonio, TX. Call 210-227-4392 or visit online at www.thestanthonyhotel.com. Be sure to check out Wander for more to see and do when you explore San Antonio or want to discover more great things to do in Texas. We can also help you with a few of our favorite historic hotels.

The St. Anthony Hotel

Historic Opulence and Modern Convenience: The St. Anthony San Antonio



Written by Lisa Waterman Gray

A Kansas City-area resident, Lisa Waterman Gray has savored Quebec’s finest cuisine, ridden in a pickup before a Kansas buffalo herd, and toured natural Arizona landmarks with Native American guides. In June 2011, 18 months of driving, research, and writing ended with national publication of Lisa’s book, An Explorer’s Guide: Kansas. During October 2014, she was a U.S. delegate for Terre Madre and Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy – a conference for Slow Food International. Lisa has written for Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle (a Canadian magazine), USA Today.com, Midwest Living, four AAA magazines, and other clients. Visit her online at http://www.lisawatermangray.com/.

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