If you’re looking for a stylish hotel in San Antonio that combines modern luxury with a little history, Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk is worth considering. Located at the crossroads of downtown and Southtown, the hotel offers convenient access to the San Antonio River Walk while providing a more sophisticated, boutique-style atmosphere. 

What immediately makes the property interesting is its blend of old and new. The hotel incorporates a restored 19th-century German-English schoolhouse alongside a contemporary 10-story hotel. The historic property includes a courtyard with century-old live oak trees, giving the hotel a distinctive sense of place rather than feeling like another generic downtown hotel. 

A Great Choice for Adults

The atmosphere felt particularly well suited for adults looking for a relaxing getaway. One of the hotel’s nice touches is its daily social hour, which provides an opportunity to unwind and potentially meet other guests. That said, I wasn’t sure how often guests actually networked outside of their own groups.

For me, the overall atmosphere was more about relaxing, exploring San Antonio and enjoying the hotel’s amenities than being highly social.

The Fitness Center Is a Standout

One of my favorite amenities was the fitness center. It’s located on the 10th floor and is open 24 hours, with a variety of cardio equipment and free weights. 

I especially liked that the fitness center wasn’t just an afterthought. For travelers who want to maintain their workout routine while away from home, it provides enough equipment to get in a solid indoor workout.

Close to the River Walk

The location is another major advantage. The hotel is within walking distance of the River Walk and puts you in a convenient position between downtown and Southtown. 

That makes it easy to spend the day exploring San Antonio and then return to the hotel without having to constantly rely on a car.

Rooftop Relaxation

The rooftop is another major highlight. The hotel features a heated rooftop pool with skyline views, lounge chairs and private cabanas. 

For someone looking to have a relaxing hotel day instead of spending every moment sightseeing, this is a great feature. The rooftop also gives the property more of that upscale, resort-like feel while still being in the middle of the city.

The One Thing I Didn’t Love: Valet Parking

The biggest drawback for me was the valet-only parking.

While valet parking is convenient in theory, I found the process of getting my vehicle back took longer than I expected. I also noticed that my vehicle appeared to have been driven more miles than seemed necessary to park it in the garage.

The hotel’s current information confirms that parking is valet-only and lists a daily valet fee, so this is something I’d recommend travelers consider when budgeting for their stay. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I enjoyed my stay at Kimpton Santo. It’s a particularly good option for adults who appreciate modern design, upscale amenities, fitness facilities, rooftop spaces and walkable access to the River Walk.

The combination of historic architecture and contemporary design gives the hotel its own personality, while the location makes exploring San Antonio relatively easy. 

My biggest recommendation would be to plan ahead for the valet situation if you’re driving. Aside from that, Kimpton Santo offers a stylish and comfortable home base for exploring San Antonio.

Would I stay again?
Yes. The location, fitness center, atmosphere and overall design make it a hotel I’d consider for another adults-focused San Antonio getaway.