Holiday Inn Riverwalk

A couple of practical things to bring: the rooms don’t have USB hubs, so pack an outlet adapter, and the TV doesn’t let you log into streaming services. It’s a minor issue, but if you can’t miss the latest episode of The Pitt, bring a tablet. The hotel is in a great spot, with endless restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance. Walk out the back and you’re right on the Riverwalk. I highly recommend breakfast tacos from Poblano's, less than a block away. The comfortable rooms were very clean, and the staff were wonderful. It seems suited to families as well as companies needing a place for training or meetings. I’m looking forward to my next San Antonio trip and will stay here again.

Acenar, just around the corner, was great: outstanding service and food that was right on point. We wanted to give the hotel restaurant a fair shot, but after trying twice, we walked out again. Both times we waited over 15 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us. We finally got a menu, then the server turned around and walked away. We’d heard mixed reports in the lobby, but they all said service was bad unless you were sitting right at the bar. It was ridiculous. The hotel and its staff are absolutely amazing. The restaurant inside is another story.

The location works perfectly for downtown and the Riverwalk, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and attractions within easy reach. Parking on site was easy to navigate, and there’s a cheaper option just across the street for $10 overnight. I didn’t try the restaurant or bar. A solid stay: the room was comfortable, clean, quiet, and looked out over the pool. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

The friendly front desk team provided great service, but I won’t stay here again. The room looked clean when we arrived and was nicely decorated, with a pleasant smell, but wiping it down showed otherwise. My towel turned brown after cleaning the bathroom counters and shower doors, then turned brown again as I wiped the phone, nightstands, and dresser. The chrome fixtures and lamps were rusty, and the shower head fixture was coming away from the tile. The elevators were dirty, with grime and children’s handprints on the doors and floors that didn’t look cleaned. The Riverwalk level was filthy too. A tablecloth stayed in the hallway our entire visit, alongside random trash and carpet that hadn’t been vacuumed. I didn’t tell the desk because I’d already cleaned the room and hadn’t taken pictures. It’s sad, because this hotel could be very nice with a deep clean and regular upkeep.