Monday, August 14, 2006

Per a Request

A friend asked that I post about the Hotel Contessa in San Antonio, Texas and my experience there. The hotel was my first real experience with a boutique hotel and it was good enough to make me want to seek out other similar hotels in future travels. The rooms were styled in a contemporary meets southwest style, and the same theme carried throughout the hotel down to the smallest details. Across the overlook in the lobby there were candles lit every night, setting an elegant yet trendy tone for the evening. In each room, one wall is all brick. It makes you feel like you're staying in one of those hip city lofts that appear in the latest architecture magazines.
The hotel staff was friendly and the concierge provided good tips for restaurants and entertainment in the area. Room service is available but not late night. Wireless internet access is also available but it's best to have a backup plan if you'll be working from the road. Pricing is around $200 per night, but varies of course based on time of year and type of room.

While you're in San Antonio, start with the Riverwalk. It's easily accessible via the Contessa Hotel, some rooms overlook the area. Lots of restaurants line the walkways, and between are stretches of landscaped areas to stroll through. The best time to visit is during the week, the crowds pour in on weekends. Also taking a drive out to the various Missions are well worth the trip. There's nothing like seeing the History Channel episodes in 3D.
The best way to see several nearby areas is a tour from SegCity. They offer various tours on a Segway. It's easy to cover a good area including the Alamo and the King William District. You can see more than you would in a walking tour, yet the tour is a small group so it's much more personal. Then there's the whole part of getting to try out a Segway, which in itself is a real treat. It's surprisingly easy to operate and once you get the hang of it, a whole lot of fun!

In March, San Antonio is a great city to visit. It was a break from the doldrums of winter when I really needed it and I would certainly return again. Just not in July.

No comments: