Walk into the lobby of The St. Anthony Hotel San Antonio Texas and the first thing you notice isn't the check-in desk. It is the green. Specifically, "St. Anthony Green," a custom shade of velvet that covers the furniture in Peacock Alley, the hotel’s massive, opulent corridor. It’s gorgeous. It’s also a little intimidating if you’re showing up in a sweaty t-shirt after a long flight.
But that’s the thing about this place. It has been the "Waldorf on the Prairie" since 1909.
People think of San Antonio hotels and immediately picture the crowded, touristy spots right on the River Walk where you can hear the mariachis at 2:00 AM. The St. Anthony is different. It sits three blocks back, overlooking Travis Park. It’s close enough to walk to the Alamo in five minutes, but far enough away that you don’t feel like you're trapped in a souvenir shop.
The History Most People Get Wrong
Most folks assume old hotels are just drafty buildings with some gold paint. Not here. When B.L. Naylor and H.L. Scott built this place, they weren't just making a hotel; they were inventing modern luxury.
Did you know this was the first hotel in the entire world to have central air conditioning? Think about that. San Antonio in July is basically the surface of the sun. In 1935, while everyone else was fainting into their handheld fans, guests at the St. Anthony were chilling in 70-degree bliss. It was revolutionary.
The hotel also pioneered the "drive-in" check-in. In the 1950s, guests could drive their cars directly into the hotel, register, and take a private elevator to their floor without ever being seen in the lobby. It was the ultimate flex for celebrities and politicians who wanted to avoid the paparazzi—or just didn't want to be seen in their traveling clothes.
The Herb Kelleher Connection
If you like cheap flights, you owe this hotel a drink.
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Back in 1967, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King sat down in the St. Anthony Club—the hotel's private bar—and sketched out a triangle on a cocktail napkin. That triangle connected San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. That napkin became Southwest Airlines.
The bar is still there. You can sit in the same spot where the airline industry was flipped on its head. It feels heavy with history, but not in a "don't touch the museum glass" kind of way. It's more of a "pull up a chair and tell a story" vibe. Honestly, the lighting in there is so dim and moody that you feel like you're about to plot a corporate takeover yourself.
What It’s Actually Like to Stay There Today
Let's talk about the rooms. They aren't the tiny, cramped boxes you usually find in historic hotels.
After a massive $24 million renovation a few years back, they managed to keep the high ceilings and crown molding while adding things people actually care about—like outlets that aren't hidden behind the bed and showers that don't take ten minutes to get hot. The beds are dangerously comfortable. You've probably stayed in hotels where the pillows feel like bags of laundry; these feel like actual clouds.
- The Bathrooms: Most feature black-and-white marble, oversized tubs, and CO Bigelow toiletries.
- The Tech: Large flat screens are standard, and the Wi-Fi is actually fast enough to stream a movie without that annoying buffering circle.
- The View: If you can, get a room facing Travis Park. Watching the city wake up from those big windows is a core memory kind of experience.
The hallways are wide. Really wide. Legend says they were built that way so Victorian women in massive hoop skirts could pass each other without touching. It gives the whole floor a sense of space that modern hotels just don't offer because they're trying to squeeze in every possible square inch of profit.
Eating and Drinking (Beyond the Napkin)
You have to go to Rebelle.
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It’s the hotel’s flagship restaurant and it’s arguably one of the best seafood spots in the city. Forget the rubbery shrimp cocktails you find at typical hotel buffets. We’re talking about fresh charred octopus, blue crab cakes with zero filler, and a vibe that feels like a high-end noir film.
Then there’s Haunt.
The name isn’t just a gimmick. The St. Anthony Hotel San Antonio Texas is famously haunted—or so the staff will tell you if you catch them at a slow moment. Haunt is the lobby bar where the cocktails are named after the hotel's resident ghosts.
- The Crooked Woman: Named after a spirit seen wandering the halls.
- The Emeric: A tribute to a man who allegedly died in the hotel.
- The Lavender Lady: A cocktail inspired by the scent often reported by guests in certain suites.
Is it actually haunted? Who knows. But after two of their signature drinks, you’ll probably start believing in something.
The Rooftop Pool Situation
If you visit in the summer, the rooftop pool is your sanctuary.
It’s called Splash, and it’s got this great 1950s cabana feel. You can look out over the San Antonio skyline while sipping a drink. It isn't a "Vegas party pool" with thumping bass and drunk spring breakers. It's more refined. You’ll see business travelers on their laptops and couples hiding under umbrellas.
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The service is surprisingly attentive. Usually, at hotel pools, you have to hunt down a towel like you're on a scavenger hunt. Here, they're usually waiting for you.
Is It Worth the Price?
Look, it’s not the cheapest stay in town. You’re paying for the brand, the history, and the fact that you’re staying in a National Historic Landmark.
If you just need a place to crash for four hours before a flight, go to the airport Marriott. But if you want to feel like you’re actually in San Antonio—not just a generic city—this is the spot. It's about the details. The gold leaf on the columns. The Steinway piano in the lobby that was originally built for the Russian Embassy. The fact that the staff actually knows your name.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
Don't just book the first rate you see on a travel site. Call the hotel directly and ask if they have any "historic stay" packages. They often include breakfast at Loggia or credits for Rebelle that aren't advertised on the big booking engines.
If you’re a history nerd, ask the concierge for a tour. If they aren't slammed, they’ll often show you the hidden corners of the hotel, like the ballroom where debutantes have been having their coming-out parties for over a century.
Park your car and leave it. San Antonio is a very walkable city, especially from this location. You can walk to the Pearl District along the River Walk extension in about 20 minutes, or hit the Majestic Theatre for a show in five.
Check the Travis Park calendar. Since the hotel overlooks the park, there are often free jazz concerts or movie nights happening right across the street. Grab a drink from Haunt, find a spot by the window, and enjoy the show for free.
Finally, take the time to sit in Peacock Alley for thirty minutes. Don't look at your phone. Just watch the people. It’s some of the best people-watching in Texas. You’ll see high-powered lawyers, nervous brides, and international travelers all crossing paths on that green velvet. It's a reminder that while the world changes, some places are built to stay exactly as they are. That’s the real magic of the St. Anthony.