Alamo Plaza / Downtown

The Menger Hotel

★★★★★

The Menger is the hotel for anyone who wants to sleep inside San Antonio's history. It opened on February 1, 1859, on Alamo Plaza next to the old mission church, built by the German immigrant William Menger on the site of his brewery — the first in Texas — and it has welcomed presidents, generals, writers and cattle barons ever since. The 1850s and Victorian spaces remain the soul of it: a three-story lobby with a stained-glass ceiling, balconies, antique furniture and paintings, and corridors filled with period pieces. The Menger Bar, completed in 1887 as a replica of the House of Lords pub in London, with dark cherrywood paneling and a beveled-glass ceiling, is where Theodore Roosevelt is said to have recruited Rough Riders in 1898, and it remains one of the most atmospheric bars in Texas, with seasonal craft cocktails and a holiday pop-up each winter. The hotel has what it describes as San Antonio's largest outdoor pool, set in a garden and seasonally heated in winter. Rooms range from historic rooms in the original building, with period furniture and high ceilings, to more standard rooms in later wings; ask for the historic section if character matters. The location is unbeatable for history: the Alamo is literally next door, the River Walk and Rivercenter are a minute away, and the convention center is close. Trade-offs: valet parking is expensive and the only on-site option, pets are not allowed, and some rooms show their age. Ongoing Alamo Plan construction around the plaza can mean fencing and noise nearby. In 2025 the Texas General Land Office bought the hotel as part of the broader Alamo project, with an outside firm overseeing operations.

The Menger has been called the most haunted hotel in Texas, and staff are happy to share the stories, including sightings in the original section and the bar. It is also full of real, documented history: Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde and many presidents are among the famous guests associated with the hotel, and the Roosevelt connection is celebrated in the bar. The hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, and its common rooms are worth exploring even if you are staying elsewhere.

Staying here: request a room in the historic 1859 wing for antiques and atmosphere, or a newer wing for more space and quiet. The pool garden is a welcome retreat after a hot morning at the Alamo, and the bar is a natural end to the day. Dining options inside include the bar and a casual taqueria; for proper dinners, the River Walk and downtown restaurants are a short walk. Expect a historic hotel's quirks — narrow corridors, variable room sizes and occasional plumbing personality — balanced by service that is proud of the building.

As a base, the Menger suits first-timers, history lovers and families who want to walk to the Alamo, the River Walk, the GO RIO barges and the Tower of the Americas. The new state ownership is designed to integrate the hotel more closely with the Alamo experience over time, so expect changes in the coming years; for now it operates as a hotel and takes reservations through its own site. Parking costs add up, so if you are not planning day trips, skip the car.