We Remember
The city is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Battle for Texas Independence at the Alamo this year. Go to
alamo.visitsanantonio.com
/events to see what's still on the schedule.
Local Update
The 632-room Hyatt Regency San Antonio completed the first phase of a $30 million renovation last November, redoing the guest rooms, restyling the lobby entryway, and redesigning the bar and restaurant. Renovations to the 40,000 square feet of meeting space will finish in September; the pool area will be done in October.
The Hilton Palacio Del Rio is in the midst of a renovation of its 483 guest rooms. The $24 million project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The pool area also is being redone and will be closed through Oct. 15.
The project to lengthen the city's signature River Walk continues. The Mission Reach phase of the $358.3 million construction will connect the original path to four of the city's Spanish colonial missions by 2013, though sections are being opened as work is completed.
The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter has completed a $20 million project that refurbished the 918 guest rooms and updated the bathrooms. The lobby was completely renovated, and the hotel's corridors were updated.
The 285-room Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown opened last November. The property offers 11,600 square feet of meeting space, chef John Besh's Luke Restaurant, a fitness center and a business center.
Reopened in January following a $26 million renovation, the Lila Cockrell Theatre, part of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, now provides seating for 2,400 people. The technology at the facility also has been upgraded.
Last September, the Alamodome debuted the Illusions Theater, a specialty venue that accommodates up to 11,000 people. The theater features a new curtain system and state-of-the-art LED lighting.
The city's Municipal Auditorium is being gutted and turned into the Tobin Center for Performing Arts. Opening in spring 2014, the 1,761-seat venue will be home to the San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Opera, and Ballet San Antonio and will welcome traveling companies.
Continued >
Drink Up
Almost every meal in San Antonio is made better with a margarita. A favorite twist here is the version made with prickly-pear cactus juice, which gives the drink a delightful purple hue. Add lime and sip.
Meeting Hotels
Properties include the 1,004-room Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 981-room Marriott Rivercenter, 632-room Hyatt Regency Riverwalk, 512-room Marriott Riverwalk, 483-room Hyatt Palacio del Rio, 473-room Westin Riverwalk, 410-room Crowne Plaza Riverwalk, 397-room Holiday Inn San Antonio International Airport, 352-room St. Anthony Wyndham Historic Hotel, 348-room La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Convention Center, 338-room Omni La Mansion del Rio and 285-room Embassy Suites Riverwalk Downtown.
Just outside of town are the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 508-room Westin La Cantera Resort, 500-room Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa and 227-room Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa.
Convention Center
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center; exhibit space, 440,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 67; (877) 504-8895
Alamodome; exhibit space, approximately 160,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 16; (210) 207-3663
Airport Transit
San Antonio International Airport, eight miles north of downtown. Transfer cost to downtown by taxi, $25-$29; by shuttle, $18
Taxes
Room tax, 16.75%; sales tax, 8.125%; total tax on hotel rooms, 16.75%
Group Venues
Built in 1902 and restored in 1999, the 100,000-square-foot Historic Sunset Station provides a fun backdrop for any event. Originally serving as the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, the venue offers a main pavilion that accommodates groups of up to 900. The station's newest feature, The Spire, originally was built as part of a church and hosts receptions for up to 300 guests. If a restaurant setting is required, Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine provides a diverse menu of dishes and banquet seating for up to 50 people. Rooms for small gatherings are available in The Crown. (210) 474-7640
Zinc Bistro & Wine Bar, a quaint venue just blocks from the River Walk, is ideal for oenophiles. For outdoor events, the Charles Court patio features a beautiful stone koi pond. Adjacent to the main bar, which seats 67, is a reception area for larger events. In the cool reaches below the restaurant is the Wine Cellar, which not only holds wine, but also seats 64 guests and is decorated with wine barrels, crates and wine racks. (210) 224-2900
Golf
Groups can tee up at any of these area layouts: The Quarry (210-824-4500), Brackenridge Park Golf Course (210-226-5612) and Republic Golf Club (210-359-0000).
Contact
San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, (210) 207-6700 or (800) 447-3372