Spark By Hilton San Antonio Northwest near Six Flags

The lobby bathroom smelled strongly and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned properly in a long time. Breakfast was included, but the food didn’t taste fresh, and even my kids had trouble eating it. We had to switch rooms after the first one smelled like wet dog. In the next room, the floors felt so sticky I didn’t want to take my shoes off. I understand the hotel allows dogs, but the rooms didn’t seem to be cleaned thoroughly for that. When I asked for a room on the top floor, I was told they were unavailable because of fumes mitigation or some kind of pest treatment. Later I saw other guests going to the fourth floor and apparently staying there, so that didn’t make sense to me. I’d read reviews saying the place was clean and recently updated, and wanted to give it a fair chance. To me, it felt like a cosmetic refresh rather than a real renovation. I wouldn’t come back.

The receptionist was kind and understanding, and apologized that we had to be moved around so many times. The rooms were so dirty that I had to change rooms twice. They charged a $100 deposit, which was more than I paid for the room. Parking was another $5, even though the lot has no gate or other vehicle protection. I’ve stayed at much nicer hotels that don’t charge for parking, so this fee felt ridiculous.

The parking charge was my main irritation: $4.32 per day, and it wasn’t disclosed before booking. There’s free parking all around this location, which is far from downtown, so I don’t see why that cost can’t be included in the room price. At minimum, tell people before they book. The location is handy for Six Flags, UTSA, and La Cantera mall. The room seemed clean, with comfortable beds and pillows, and the swing desk gives you extra room to work. There’s a small outdoor pool in the parking lot. Check-in seemed busiest after 9 pm. Breakfast is a modest continental spread: muffins, bagels and spreads, vanilla yogurt with toppings, instant oatmeal, fruit, cereal, coffee, juice, and milk. Don’t expect waffles or anything more substantial. Coffee kept running out, so you may have to wait on busy mornings.

I’ve stayed at over 100 Hilton family locations in 15 years, and this was the worst one I’ve experienced. I paid $79 for the night, then moved to another hotel after the stay went so badly. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. The first room’s door wouldn’t close. The replacement room was dirty and had a broken shower handle. The manager wasn’t there, and nobody offered an adjustment after all that.