Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza

The receptionist and breakfast worker were both doing their best, and they were great despite being stretched thin. There just weren’t enough staff for a hotel this size. We called several times about parking and nobody answered. Once we arrived, there was a long check-in line with just one receptionist. You’d expect at least two at a hotel this large. Breakfast kept running out too, and there was only one employee handling it. Good luck getting pancakes. This is what happens when a hotel cuts costs by cutting workers. It wasn’t down to the employees’ effort or efficiency.

We paid $45 for valet, then waited nearly two hours for our car the next morning. We missed all the sightseeing we’d planned, which was incredibly frustrating and unacceptable for a hotel charging for valet. Breakfast was another letdown. There were very few options, and when we got there at 8:45 AM almost everything was gone, including bread and cereal. At 9:00 AM, they switched off the lights and machines while we were still in line for apple juice, so we couldn’t get any. The rooms themselves were clean, good, and comfortable, and the price seemed reasonable. But the terrible service ruined our vacation plans. I’ve stayed in many hotels and never had such poor service or lack of basic hospitality. Clean rooms aren’t enough. I wouldn’t recommend this place unless it makes major improvements.

We checked in on Christmas Eve for two nights. The front desk clerk was very friendly, and the valet lot attendant was nice too. Our room was clean and comfortable, the view was pleasant, and the location was perfect. I wasn’t happy about the $40 daily parking fee, though, so I used street parking instead and saved a lot. Parking was free from 6 PM to 8 AM, then cost 30 cents an hour during the day. I paid for a few hours until we left for the day, and that worked fine. Plenty of other people did the same. The oven broke on our second day, so breakfast was limited, mostly cereal or oatmeal. The next day it was ready again, with a great selection. I recommend the hotel.

We booked a room for one night at the last minute. It was nice overall, though I noticed coffee stains on the counter and unflushed tissue in the toilet when I checked it out. The on-site parking was full from other guests, so we had to use the street.