Nestled on the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk, the stunningly beautiful Hotel Contessa wraps you in luxury, resplendent with sweeping views of the city’s crown jewel. This hidden hometown treasure warmly invites you to relax and refresh with every amenity under the summer sun.
The experience begins as you pull under the porte cochère, hand over your luggage and free yourself to explore this casually elegant boutique hotel. Enter your spacious suite, and you’re greeted with a touch of urban chic and enough room to get comfortable while enjoying your front-row view of the Riverwalk.
“We believe that travelers are looking for more than just a run-of-the-mill room in a big-box hotel,” said Wende Blumberg, Hotel Contessa general manager. “Contessa is that rare downtown gem right on the Riverwalk with spacious guestrooms, award-wining cuisine and top-shelf amenities.”
A separate parlor with colorful sofas and brick-feature walls infuses a city vibe, reminding you that you’re close to all the action. Private mini-bars and flat-screen televisions add to the experience, and when it’s time to work, there is high-speed wireless access.
Take time to wander downstairs for a melon mojito or pomegranate margarita from the Cork Bar. Cool beverage in hand, you can pull up a comfy couch and watch the world go by as ice swirls in your glass. It’s the ultimate ambiance to linger and chat with new friends.
Just footsteps away are the delightful arches of Las Ramblas restaurant, which offers Spanish cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Brian West, one of the top 100 chefs in Texas.
“Breaking bread takes on a whole new meaning in Las Ramblas,” said West, a former standup comedian with a creative spark that puts a new spin on old favorites.
Mouth-watering tapas with warm goat cheese and toasted almonds or beef Carpaccio with bluebonnet arugula will tempt your taste buds.
“We prepare many different tapas utilizing regional ingredients,” West said. “It’s Latin-inspired cuisine with a healthy flair: grilled toast with white anchovies and olives nesting atop red-pepper paste to shrimp a la plancha seasoned with romesco salsa and smoked sea salt.”
We recommend West’s seared Muscovy duck breast with gratin of sweet potato, cranberries and goat cheese. Sample the Cornish game hen or Kurobuta pork rib chop accompanied by an Italian pinot grigio, or try the mouth-watering roasted beet salad.
Butterscotch crème brule or cajeta goat cheese cake with piping-hot coffee tops off the best meal in the city. (Tapas range from $4 to $9, and entrees start at $18. Visit www.hotelcontessa.com or www.opentable.com, or call 210-298-8040 for reservations.)
Right outside the door of Las Ramblas is Marriage Island, where hundreds of brides and grooms tie the knot each year. Brides should note that the Hotel Contessa patio and conference rooms transform into breathtaking reception areas.
Don’t miss the softly lit rooftop pool for a few laps or laughs on the weekends with “dive-in” movies for the kids and poolside beverages for the adults.
Next door is a fully equipped gym and The Spa at Hotel Contessa with a full menu of massages, Aveeda facials and pedicures in a private, serene setting.
Try a summer “staycation” at Hotel Contessa! It gives you the freedom to stay in town, yet really feel like you’re getting away.
