La Mansion Del Rio Hotel

08/30/08

A great 25th anniversary experience

by deebles at Citysearch

We wanted a magical anniversary place.....La Mansion came close and we would go back again. It is a challenge to get to it...downtown San Antonio has a lot of narrow one way streets. We had to go around the block twice before we found the right street to get to the hotel. Valet Parking is available $30 a night we chose the $15.00 a night parking garage just across the street because we knew we wouldn't be leaving very often. If you are going to drive around town, spend the extra $ for valet parking. The hotel itself is older, so forgiveness in the condition of the building is required: everything is clean and in good repair, but not NEW...so don't expect new. The hotel has direct access to the river walk (*WOW) The staff were welcoming; polite; & friendly. The lobby smelled amazing - fresh flowers were the secret. The elevators are visually beautiful, but slow, bouncy & small. Note: The hotel was not busy, but if it had been it would have been a long wait. The halls are clean...some are outside so not airconditioned. We were given room 629. We were told that this was a large room and it was. King size comfortable bed (not too soft, not too hard) small couch and chair. The room was clean and had all the little extras you would expect in an expensive room . It had a HUGE closet. We would suggest the following improvements to make the room perfect. 1 - a larger lcd panel tv - a 32" is too small to view comfortably at 12 feet away - yes sometimes we watched TV. 2 - a small refrigerator (dorm size) - our restaurant leftovers had to be stored in the staff refrigerator 3 - a microwave - sometimes you just want popcorn!!! 4 - a dvd player (Movies are available through the TV but @ $12.99 (yes twelve) per viewing too expensive. For 269 a night those little extras would have made it perfect. We would go back again...but only if we could be guaranteed room 629...overall this was a quiet, relaxing and just what we wanted in an anniversary location.

• Pros: Direct access to the riverwalk. Clean. Excellent and attentive staff. Complimentary champagne for our anniversary.
• Cons: Pricey - everything costs extra....stay away from the mini fridge (it's a charge it bar, not a fridge)

04/06/08

Hard to find Jewel of the Riverwalk

by bfly01 at Citysearch

A hard place to find and get to with all the road work congesting the downtown area. This place really went pass our expectations. We were treated like royalty for all our needs. The Valet Parking was well worth using, even though we went over budget doing so. Even though we stayed on the "less than comfy" area of the complex to save money, with all the halls and verandas, we were able to avoid walking through the parking garage during our stay. If this chain would give a thought to pumping AC in the halls "across the parking garage" the place would have NO FAULTS. Their "Las Canaries" restaurant is a "must do" while visiting the Riverwalk; well worth the price for excellent food & service. If you are flying into SA and the Riverwalk is your destination, this is the place to stay if you are looking for a romantic experience. We will be back!

• Pros: Most Romantic Place on the Riverwalk
• Cons: A hard place to find,. Halls non A/C accross parking garage.

11/20/06

Beautiful, great customer service, but haunted

by joy0302 at Citysearch

I LOVE La Mansion. It is beautiful, the architecture is true to the history of the city and the employees are always helpful. It is on the riverwalk which makes it easy to walk everywhere in downtown. The only problem is it is a little haunted. We were awoken by strange experiences the last time we were there and when we questioned the hotel staff we were told that a little boy haunts the hotel and they have to use holy water and candles to make him go away! I will never stay there again after that took place, but I will really miss La Mansion. Stay there if you are not afraid of the paranormal.

• Pros: Beautiful hotel
• Cons: Haunted

10/27/06

The romance of old San Antonio in a Spanish Colonial-style hotel.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
This historic building began as a private school in 1854. Eventually, it evolved into St. Mary's University's law school. In 1966 the blackboards were traded in for beds, and the property became one of the most elegant hotels along the Riverwalk. Its refined atmosphere is a welcome respite from the riverside bustle.

The Details
Today visitors are greeted by a lobby filled with Spanish and Mexican antiques. Although the building's collegiate days are over, they are recalled in El Colegio, an intimate piano bar that was once the university library. Like the public areas, guest rooms and suites echo the Spanish history of the area. Many have beamed ceilings and graceful arches, as well as private balconies overlooking the River Walk.

08/11/06

Warm, inviting charm. Excellent restaurant. Plesant, efficient staff.

by crloftin at Citysearch

My wife and I recently relocated to San Antonio from NYC and wanted to enjoy our 31st Anniversary by getting to know our new home town better. In selecting a hotel for the occasion we checked out many locations on the Riverwalk when we discovered La Mansion del Rio.

We were instantly drawn to the hotels look, feel, location and the friendliness of the staff. After we made the reservation, the hotels concierge called our home to welcome us to the hotel and to offer her services. I told her of our intention to celebrate our anniversary and asked for help with reservations at the hotel's restaurant, Las Canarias. I also asked her help in arranging to have a bouquet of flowers delivered to the room to surprise my wife upon arrival.

The flowers were in the room on arrival as requested, along with a bottle of champaign and chocolate covered strawberries, compliments of the hotel. The spacious and impeccable room (with the exception of a half-eaten can of almonds hidden well under the bed by a previous guest) had a large spa-tub that we enjoyed before having dinner. The rooms small balcony gave us a nice view of the Riverwalk: the foot and river traffic below and the full moon that slowly arose above, as though on cue. Minor problems with the wireless internet connection (in fact, I found 4 wireless networks in the room) and the cable TV in the room were quickly and efficiently resolved through friendly and cooperative front-desk staff and the technical engineer.

Our dinner was equally exceptional. We highly recommend the crab-stuffed swordfish and the Chilean sea-bass. The margaritas were also delicious!

Despite finding the experience on the high end of local prices, we found the overall value to be very good. We were happy to find that our new home town has places like La Mansion del Rio to welcome guests

• Pros: Staff, atmosphere, restaurant
• Cons: High end of local costs but with very good value

11/28/05

La disappointment at La Mansion

by mmmarsden at Citysearch

We were very disappointed in our stay at La Mansion del Rio. The front desk and concierge staff are less than helpful, often misinformed, and in one instantance incredibly rude. The poolside rooms are very noisy. Our "deluxe guestroom" had burned out lightbulbs, a broken thermostat, and very little hot water available in the mornings. This is supposed to be an upscale hotel in a high-end tourist area, but we've had nicer stays at Holiday Inns.

• Pros: Nice location, Good restaurant, Helpful valets
• Cons: Poor room conditions, Rude concierge, Noisy

07/03/05

Great Hotel

by Silly_Mongoose at Citysearch

I stayed here with my wife in July 05. We got lucky with an upgrade and were treated like royalty. The room was clean, modern, and spacious. The hotel is situated right in the middle of the River Walk. Their restaurant is great too - the eggs benedict and smoked salmon hit the spot for breakfast.

• Pros: Clean, Convenient, Fancy
• Cons: Expensive, Pool side is loud

04/14/04

too expensive

by girlnorman at Citysearch

While it looks beautiful from the outside, I found this establishment VERY average - the rooms are small, if you move anything in the small fridge they try and charge you for it and it is much too expensive for the quality of the room. Don't pay extra for the river view - there is regular construction going on and you may pay for a view of the mud.

01/21/04

Wow!

by bluekittycat5 at Citysearch

Beautiful and comfortable place to stay. Staff is excellent and makes you feel at home. I'd never stay anywhere else again in San Antonio!

11/18/02

Fabulous Spot!

by eklein at Citysearch

Just got back from a weekend stay at La Mansion, and it was wonderful. First class service and amenities, coupled with the best location on the Riverwalk! If you can, book early and request a room on the Riverwalk on the 2nd floor - they have balconies with incredible views. I would highly recommend this hotel.

• Pros: spa tubs, location, decor
• Cons: often overbooked