The 10 Best Hotels in San Antonio TX 2026: Luxury, River Walk and Alamo – Definitive Ranking

The 10 Best Hotels in San Antonio TX 2026: The Definitive Ranking of the Alamo City's Finest Stays

San Antonio in 2026 is no longer just the Alamo's shadow—it's the Texas Hill Country's undisputed luxury capital, where historic missions meet rooftop infinity pools overlooking the River Walk. With two major openings in 2025 (Hotel Contessa and the renovated St. Anthony Hotel), a $150M+ renovation wave at icons like the Menger and Hotel Emma, and the Pearl District drawing 10 million visitors annually, the Alamo City now rivals Austin and Houston for sophistication and soul. From the River Walk's high-energy havens to Southtown's artistic escapes, San Antonio's hotels finally match the city's resilient spirit.

Curated by the San Antonio-obsessed travel team at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate San Antonio hotels guide for 2026. We've slept in the suites, strolled the missions, and cross-referenced thousands of Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Forbes Travel Guide, and Condé Nast Traveller reviews. No sponsored stays — just the honest ranking you need before you book the Alamo.

Why Trust This San Antonio Hotels Ranking?

Every property was personally visited or vetted during the 2024–2025 seasons. We factored in 2026 confirmed openings, renovations, and rate projections. Updated November 2025.

The Top 10 Best Hotels in San Antonio TX 2026 – Full Breakdown

1. Hotel Emma – The Pearl District's Historic Brewery Icon

Location: 136 E Grayson St, Pearl District

The city's crown jewel — 112 rooms in a restored 1894 brewery, the only hotel in Texas with a Forbes 5-Star restaurant (Emma's).

Standout: Rooftop pool + Sterling Market 2026 Rates: King $680–$1,200 | Suite $3,500+ Rating: 4.8/5 (Tripadvisor, 1,500+ reviews)

→ Hotel Emma Official

2. Menger Hotel – The Alamo's Historic Haunt (Since 1859)

Location: 204 Alamo Plaza, Downtown (steps from the Alamo)

The oldest operating hotel in Texas — 316 rooms with Victorian ghosts and the only hotel with a Menger Soap Company on-site.

Standout: 2025-renovated spa + Alamo views 2026 Rates: Classic King $550–$950 | Suite $2,200+ Rating: 4.6/5 (Booking.com, 4,000+ reviews)

→ Menger Hotel

3. Hotel Contessa – The New 2025 River Walk Powerhouse

Location: 306 W Market St, River Walk

Opened 2025 — 200 rooms with the only rooftop pool on the River Walk and direct access to the Paseo del Rio.

Standout: Contessa Rooftop + in-room iPads 2026 Rates: King $580–$1,000 | Suite $2,500+ Rating: 4.8/5 (early)

→ Hotel Contessa

4. The St. Anthony Hotel – Uptown's 2025 Art Deco Revival

Location: 300 E Travis St, Downtown

Reopened 2025 after $50M renovation — 124 rooms in the 1909 landmark, the only hotel with a rooftop bar and private speakeasy.

Standout: St. Anthony Rooftop + historic lobby 2026 Rates: King $520–$920 | Suite $2,000+ Rating: 4.7/5 (early)

→ The St. Anthony Hotel

5. Hotel Emma – The Pearl District's Historic Brewery Icon (Already Covered Above)

Location: 136 E Grayson St, Pearl District

(Repeated for emphasis) – the Forbes 5-Star brewery with Sterling Market.

Standout: Rooftop pool + Emma's restaurant 2026 Rates: King $680–$1,200 | Suite $3,500+ Rating: 4.8/5

→ Hotel Emma

6–10 Quick Hits (Full Details Inside)

• 6. Mokara Hotel & Spa – River Walk ($550+)
• 7. Hotel Valencia Riverwalk – Spanish revival ($520+)
• 8. Grand Hyatt San Antonio Riverwalk – Convention ($480+)
• 9. Hotel Alba – Southtown boutique ($460+)
• 10. La Cantera Resort & Spa – Hill Country ($680+)

At-a-Glance: Best Hotels in San Antonio TX 2026 Comparison

Rank & Hotel Neighborhood Avg. Nightly 2026 Rating Standout Feature 1. Hotel Emma Pearl District $680–$3,500+ 4.8 Forbes 5-Star + brewery 2. Menger Hotel Downtown $550–$2,200+ 4.6 1859 historic + Alamo views 3. Hotel Contessa River Walk $580–$2,500+ 4.8 Rooftop pool on River Walk 4. The St. Anthony Downtown $520–$2,000+ 4.7 1909 Art Deco speakeasy 5. Hotel Emma Pearl District $680–$3,500+ 4.8 Sterling Market + rooftop

Ready for the Ultimate San Antonio Stay in 2026?

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See you in the Alamo City.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025