San Antonio Travel Guide
Tags: Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Four Points by Sheraton / Starwood Hotels / San Antonio Hotels / → All Tags
Four Points by Sheraton Unveils New Brand Prototype in Texas
We suppose Texas is the place to roll out the new looks for the big brands: first, Le Meridien got its new identity goin' in Dallas — and now Four Points by Sheraton has unveiled the brand's "refreshed" new identity down in San Antonio.
Today's opening of the Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest also marks the launch of the brand's first "prototype hotel," displaying the brand's "rejuvenated, contemporary look, complemented by classic and comfortable interior design elements refreshed for today’s self-sufficient traveler."
The San Antonio property is actually the first of three "prototypes" opening across North America this year; those new hotels are the fruits of a five-year brand refreshment project (not to mention the result of the $1 billion Starwood poured into the brand to get it lookin' up-to-date.)
Tags: Hotel Hype / Hotel Indigo / Drury Inns / San Antonio Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
Hotel Indigo Plans San Antonio Expansion
Looks like Yotel isn't the only "modern" brand that can go on an expansion binge. InterContinental has announced plans to open its third Texan Hotel Indigo in San Antonio. The new property has an ambitious opening date of "early 2008."
The Hotel Indigo at the Alamo will take up residence in the Gibbs Building downtown, but it won't be the first hotel to repurpose a downtown building. The Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio River Walk opened in a renovated Art Deco bank this past February. If the PR spin is to be believed, though, the Indigo might be a touch more classy:
Hotel Indigo at the Alamo will feature renewable elements such as vivid murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora, murals and directional signage.
Sounds nice, but will it offer that signature Indigo smell?
[Photo: Venegas]
Related Stories:
· Narrow Drawers and Cold Wooden Floors are Modern at Hotel Indigo [HotelChatter]
Tags: Hotel Pets / San Antonio Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
A Doggie Concierge Hard At Work
It's been a while since we checked in on the Hotel Pets craze but we are happy to report that today this trend of having dogs or cats on staff is still alive.
And again, it seems like doggie concierges are leading the pack here. At the San Antonio Fairmount, Luke Tips, the Labrador with a hotel appropriate last name, is on staff as "Director of Pet Relations" and has his own business cards, complete with e-mail address, and fax, phone and toll-free numbers.
"People who've stayed at the Fairmount often call to see how Luke's doing," says front desk manager Lani Fulgencio, giving the Labrador an affectionate pat. "He's definitely in charge around here and helps guests feel at home. Sort of a canine concierge."
So what does Luke do? Well, he meets and greets you when you check-in (or sniffs and licks). Since he actually sleeps on a dog bed in the lobby he also doubles as a nighttime security guard. Now, he is learning to deliver newspapers to certain hotel suites and you can take him out for walks around the courtyard or for a jog at a nearby park. You also have the privilege of giving him a nice hair-brushing session, which makes you wonder who is serving who here?
Related Stories:
· Luke, the Labrador, a natural as hotel's canine concierge [My San Antonio.com]
Tags: Hotel Hell / Bed Bugs / → All Tags
Tales of an Itchy Stay at the Hyatt San Antonio
Ideally located right on the River Walk, the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio brings you right to the steps of the action along with a jazz bar, ice-cream shop, Aveda spa, and fitness center. But who really cares when you're covered in bed bugs.
Trying to stay PC in the green world, the Hyatt is promoting the new linens every 3-day scheme. We're not sure if this is the reason why the beds are full of bugs that will leave you smothered in small bumps or if its just plain old disregard in the housekeeping regime. But just when we thought the bed bugs were hotel hell enough, things took a turn for the worst when the realization of just how paper-thin the walls were.
Conversations could be heard word for word from either side of the bedrooms, not exactly a helpful factor when you're trying to sleep and fend off bugs. On top of that screams are non-stop from down below at the River Walk itself (think Hard Rock Cafe Crowd and Music.)
As for the hotel bar, a mango-mojito sounded great but in truth tasted like Perrier with a little mint and this was at a point when no alcohol could overcome our sour mood from the costly WiFi and insect infestation. Whether or not you want your WiFi in your room, the lobby, or the business center, it's going to cost you. Even entrance to the jazz bar has an entry fee (which was waived upon the suggestion that we go elsewhere.)
Overall, the hotel was like an Playground that allows for easy access to the River Walk, but a noisy and itchy one at that. Now, where's our calamine lotion again?
Related Stories:
· Hyatt Regency San Antonio Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
Ibiza Report: The All-Inclusive Hotel & Bracelet
Ibiza is one of the hedonistic party hotspots of the world and anytime you've got a place like this, the hotel situation can be questionable.
Many people come to Ibiza not for hotel peace, rest, and relaxation, but just for 24/7 dancing and drinking. That's where the all-inclusive hotel comes in and we get really nervous. If we wanted to go to Cancun, we would have. But before we get up on our high horse, we gave Hotel Fiesta Tanit--what else would it be called, a chance.
Hotel Fiesta is indeed an all-inclusive resort and happens to be one of the top guest-approved hotels. We were not the only hotel snobs to question the all-inclusive resort:
Always been suspicious of all inclusive deals, never thought you'd get value for money. Changed our minds now - can't believe how cheap it was! 8 in our party, ages from 14 to 55. Everyone absolutely loved everything about the place, nothing to moan about at all. Food was superb and well presented, amazing amount of choice and something to suit everyone. Rooms and all public areas were spotless, armies of Spanish cleaners in their blue uniforms swarming all over the place in the mornings.
On top of all these great reviews, is the killer view backdrop surrounding the hotel. Forget partying, staring out at the view is entertainment enough. But we really can't forget about the all-inclusivenes. We are still very weary about this whole idea. Further research justified our fears. We found a numerical list of alcohol dos and don'ts and the rules of the all-inclusive status. Numbers 3-5 were the worst of the bunch:
- To make use of this facility, when requested by the hotel staff, guests will have to show proof of being holders of the OPTIONAL DRINKS PLAN arrangement (shown by the bracelet which holders should have always on).
- Under this scheme, drinks should be drunk in the area where they are ordered; they cannot be taken to the bedrooms.
- Guests are not allowed to accumulate drinks. Before ordering another drink, the previous should have been finished. 6. The OPTIONAL DRINKS PLAN is personal and CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED to another person.
So there you have it, if you are ok with wearing a hotel bracelet that shows you off as an all-inclusive hotel guest while in Ibiza then by all means, book this place. We're going to have to sit out however, until they get rid of their version of the ball and chain.
Related Stories:
· Hotel Fiesta Tanit Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotels / → All Tags
Rambling River at the Hyatt Hill Country
Because we are total geeks we TiVoed the Travel Channel's "Great Hotels" show today where they profiled the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio.
Basically this resort is known for two things--the Southwestern, big Texas-size decor like rocking chairs with cowhide cushions that permeates the whole place and its 950-foot manmade rambling river, made for a-floating.
The four-acre water playground adjacent to the river has a cascading waterfall, an activity pool, a kiddie pool and an adult pool.
A spa, salon and several restaurants round-out the hotel which is definitely family-friendly so if you are skittish around kids, beware.
There's also golf nearby as well as Sea World. And while the rooms aren't very tech-savvy (however, there are T-mobile hotspots throughout the hotel), this is definitely a hotel where you shouldn't be spending all your time in the room.
Rooms start at a pricey $305.
Note: Unfortunately we discovered this little blurb on the hotel's site:
The Ramblin' River and activity pool, along with the activity pool hot tub will be drained for annual repairs and maintenance beginning Sunday, February 5th, until Saturday. February 11th.
So don't book it for this weekend.
Related Stories:
·Hyatt Hill Country Resort review [TripAdvisor]
·Hyatt Regency Hill Country[Great Hotels]
Tags: Hotel Deals / → All Tags
HotelChatter's New Year's Rockin' Eve: Ozzy Style
HotelChatter's New Year's Rockin Eve :: 2006
In 1982 Ozzy Osbourne put on his wife's dress, waltzed over to the Alamo, and pissed on the historic landmark.
Unfortunately, the Westin Riverwalk is not offering "The Ozzy Package", however they are offering a cool NYE package:
The Westin Riverwalk for $459
Fireworks, live music on multiple stages, food booths, family activities, plenty of Riverwalk bars, and big ass hats--we are assuming.
Included in the package:
2 nights with the Westin Riverwalk. Guests who book December 30 - January 1 will enjoy:
· Traditional Mexican 12 grapes and Champagne for Toasting
· Tamales and Menudo after you ring in the New Year
· San Antonio Style A Sunday Black - Eyed Pea Breakfast for good luck
Whoa--they are digging up Menudo? Wait, that is some sort of soup in Texas right, not a washed up boy band?
Related Stories:
· Westin Riverwalk Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Hotel Hell / → All Tags
Rodeway Inn: San Antonio 2-star May Not Be What You Bargained For
Chalk another one up for the expression "sometimes you get what you pay for". Well that is if we are to believe our latest tipster, and why wouldn't we.
So before you make that pit stop at San Antonio, looking for that authentic "Joyride", you might want to read what this customer experienced:
Stayed at this hotel in San Antonio during the fourth of July weekend and believe me this was one of the worst I have ever stayed in. We had roaches and ants along with the intrusion of a hotel employee that used their own key without knocking. Poor lighting at night in parking area, and hot rooms, topped off our experience.
Hotels In: Africa | Asia | Australia | Caribbean | Europe | North America | South America
Our Publications:
Jaunted | HotelChatter | VegasChatter
