This slick new San Antonio hotel puts you in easy reach of the Texan city’s sights

Tucked next to San Antonio’s picturesque riverwalk, this slick hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring and has a killer restaurant with exceptional views

Location

You couldn’t be in a better location to explore San Antonio, Texas than at the Kimpton Santo. The back of the hotel is parallel to the city’s national historic village, La Villita, which is positioned on the south bank of the picturesque River Walk. It was once a Native American settlement, one of San Antonio’s first neighbourhoods.

From there, you can walk down to the busiest section of the waterside, which boasts dozens of bars and restaurants (many serving huge takeaway frozen margaritas). Or follow the path all the way down to the Alamo Plaza Historic District, which is roughly 12 minutes away.

The hotel is a 12-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. Or, you can take a Line 7 VIA Metropolitan Transit bus and get off in the South Alamo area and walk for 10 minutes.

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The vibe

Kimpton Santo is the new kid on the block when it comes to San Antonio’s hospitality scene, having opened in 2024. It offers sightseers a chic downtown stay and stunning rooftop views.

The hotel is large, with 10 floors and 347 spacious rooms. However, it doesn’t just feel like a luxury tower block as the contemporary lobby offers a more intimate “living room” feel through art pieces, fireplaces and clusters of seating. Plus, there’s an outdoor courtyard in the centre of the property that’s built artfully around century-old oak trees.

Upscale without being stuffy, Kimpton Santo predominantly attracts a laidback, stylish crowd, with the occasional visit from business travellers who are attending the city’s regular conventions and still want the chance to sunbathe between events.

Situated on the hotel’s 10th floor, the Tenfold Rooftop Bar is the highest in the city and draw a crowd of locals as well as guests. As a result, the hotel never feels too corporate – even if a conference is in town.

Service

The staff at Kimpton Santo are hardworking, conscientious and thoughtful. During my stay, they were fast and accommodating when I needed extra items like a clothes steamer brought up to the room.

Bed and bath

Kimpton Santo’s rooms are modern and immaculate, with touches of Spanish-inspired soft furnishings that remind guests they’re in Texas, which was part of the country’s empire for more than 300 years before it became part of Mexico, and later became the 28th US state.

My premium room (slightly larger than the “Essential” offering) included a separate bath and walk-in shower, and with 456 square feet of space, it felt like a studio, rather than just a room. If you want more space still, there are luxury suites with dining areas available.

Beds are large, comfortable and situated opposite a large television and floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer unrivalled views of the city. All bedrooms come with coffee and tea making facilities, a work desk and blackout curtain to ensure a great night’s sleep.

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Food and drink

The most fun place for a cocktail and light bites at the Kimpton Santo is undoubtedly Tenfold Rooftop Lounge; the year-round, open-air rooftop bar that offers panoramic views of the city to rival the Tower of the Americas, which is bang opposite. I went for the gold-flaked salmon tataki, grilled octopus, lobster crispy rice and mezze platter, and chilled out on the laidback sofa seating for a few hours, watching the city go by.

For a more formal dinner, there’s Dean’s Steak & Seafood restaurant, which offers an architectural contrast to the rest of the hotel as it’s nestled in a 19th-century schoolhouse. Menu highlights include oysters Rockefeller wild Alaskan halibut.

Finish the night off with a drink at the restaurant’s intimate cocktail lounge, The Study, where you can sip your drink under the centuries-old oak trees on the adjacent terrace.

The hotel can cater to dietary requirements. However, it’s best to flag your needs to the team in advance so they can make sure options are available on the day of your visit.

Facilities

Kimpton Santo is the place to be if you like to work out on holiday; the gym is open 24-hours a day and offers leafy views of the city to motivate you on the treadmill. There are also ellipticals, bikes, stair steppers and free weights on hand for guests to use.

Best of all, though, is the hotel’s heated rooftop 1.1m deep lap pool. With views of the statuesque Art Deco Tower Life Building and its neighbouring skyscrapers, you can soak up the sun and sightsee at the same time.

The pool is decked out with shady private cabanas, as well as classic sun loungers, from where you can order cocktails and appetisers from the bar.

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Accessibility

All areas in the Kimpton Santo, including the pool, restaurants and exercise facilities, are accessible. Visual strobe smoke detectors, bed shakers and door knock alerts are available in some rooms. It’s recommended to contact the hotel when booking to ensure availability.

Pet policy

Pets of all sizes and breeds are welcome at the Kimpton Santo – with no fee or deposit required. However, owners must complete a pet form upon arrival and dogs must out of the room when housekeeping visits each day.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 3pm; check-out is 12pm.

Family-friendly?

Children are welcome at Kimpton Santo, however they must be accompanied by an adult and there’s no kids’ club. The hotel can, however, accommodate rollaway cribs free of charge, which they recommend contacting them about in advance to make necessary arrangements.

At a glance

Best thing: The panoramic views.

Perfect for: Chic sightseers who want easy access to the sights of San Antonio.

Not right for: Anyone who doesn’t enjoy minimalist design.

Instagram from: The rooftop bar overlooking the city.

Lydia was a guest of Kimpton Santo.

Address: 431 S Alamo St, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States

Phone: +1 210-222-1000

Website: santohotelsanantonioriverwalk.com

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