San Antonio with kids
By James Holland
Omni La Mansion del Rio RiverWalk (Courtesy Omni Hotels)
Somewhere between the Alamo, the vibrant River Walk and the Old Spanish Missions lies the heart of San Antonio. Whether it’s a visit through historic San Antonio or a trip tubing down the Guadalupe River, there are kid-friendly hotels available across San Antonio to meet your needs. From riverfront hotels in the heart of downtown to resorts situated in Hill Country, here are some of the best affordable, family-friendly hotels in San Antonio.
(MORE: Exploring Downtown San Antonio with Kids)
Omni La Mansion del Rio RiverWalk
Overlooking the Riverwalk and only 4 blocks from The Alamo and the highly entertaining Ripley’s Believe It or Not sits the Spanish-style Omni La Mansion del Rio RiverWalk. Younger guests receive a backpack filled with family-friendly games and goodies that promote healthy eating upon check in as well as milk and cookies delivered to their guest room on the first night. Don’t forget to ask about the Hotel Scavenger Hunt. After a day of exploring downtown and enjoying a River Walk Boat Tour, enjoy dining in at one of the onsite restaurants, Las Canarias and Ostra, or spend some time relaxing at the spa or the Courtyard pool.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort San Antonio
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort San Antonio (Courtesy Hyatt)
For those looking for more of a getaway, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort has a whole host of activities for you and your family. Take a spin around the resort on complimentary bikes or enjoy some onset tennis and sand volleyball. And don’t forget the onsite 5-acre water park, which includes a zero entry wading pool, cabanas, the Ramblin’ River (modeled on the nearby Guadalupe River) and, for those looking for thrills, the 22-foot Edge Falls water slide or the Flowrider wave simulator. There are also movies under the stars, s’mores at the fire pit and, in the rooms, kid-friendly amenities like rollaway beds, family-friendly suites and cribs upon request.
La Cantera Hill Country Resort
La Cantera Hill Country Resort (Courtesy Destination Hotels)
La Cantera Hill Country Resort distills the Heart of Texas into resort form. Not only does La Cantera offer beautiful vistas of pristine Hill Country on this 550-acre resort as well as 2 Championship golf courses; but it’s also a short drive to anything you would want to visit in San Antonio, like Six Flags Fiesta Texas. For those with family in tow, there are quite a few accommodation options: suites, connecting rooms and quiet Casitas, onsite cottages that sit in their own private complex only a hundred yards from the main resort. There are also five pools as well as Kids Club Camp, Kids Club and the Teen Lounge for entertaining and exciting activities for children of all different ages.
Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch Hotel San Antonio
Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch Hotel San Antonio (Courtesy Hyatt)
If you want to get a taste of ranch life in style, stay at the Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch Hotel where you can enjoy some Texas Barbecue, explore the onsite nature trails and stay in a 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom residential-style condominium. Kids will enjoy Camp Armadillo, the hotel’s exciting kids’ program that include scavenger hunts and SeaWorld excursions as well as activities like arts and crafts. Also available is the 800-foot Rattlesnake River Pool, waterslides, three spas, or enjoy the fire-pit at the Wildflower Pavilion and take in a movie under the stars.
(MORE: Wonderful New Orleans Hotels That Are Easy on the Budget)
Westin Riverwalk Hotel San Antonio
Westin Riverwalk Hotel San Antonio (Courtesy Westin River Walk San Antonio)
The Westin Riverwalk Hotel, the perfect downtown vacation stay, not only faces the lower loop of the River Wal, offering great panoramic views of the city. It is also a few blocks from the Briscoe Western Art Museum, a five minute drive from the Tower of Americas,, and not much further from The Alamo. The Westin Kid’s Club greets younger guests with amenity bags with make-your-own postcards, a big world map to find their location and other materials to help them explore the hotel and beyond. Westin Service Express can provide diapers, bottle warmers, booster seats and more for any needs parents may have. Suites are available for those who want to spread out and don’t forget to take a dip in the outdoor heated pool.
James Holland contributed this to MiniTime. James Holland currently lives in Los Angeles but has called Berlin, San Antonio, Austin, Seoul and Seattle home at various times in his life.