Nestled alongside San Antonio's scenic River Walk, the Kimpton Santo offers a sleek and sophisticated base for exploring the city. This modern hotel, which opened in 2024, combines a prime location with luxurious amenities, including a stunning rooftop bar and a heated lap pool with skyline views.
Location and Accessibility
The Kimpton Santo is perfectly positioned for sightseeing. The rear of the hotel borders La Villita, a historic village on the south bank of the River Walk, once a Native American settlement and one of San Antonio's earliest neighbourhoods. From here, guests can stroll to the bustling riverside area lined with bars and restaurants, or follow the path to the Alamo Plaza Historic District, roughly 12 minutes away. The hotel is a 12-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport, or accessible via the Line 7 VIA Metropolitan Transit bus to the South Alamo area, followed by a 10-minute walk.
Vibe and Atmosphere
Kimpton Santo is a newcomer to San Antonio's hospitality scene, offering a chic downtown stay with breathtaking rooftop vistas. The hotel spans 10 floors with 347 spacious rooms, but the contemporary lobby creates an intimate 'living room' feel with art pieces, fireplaces, and cosy seating clusters. An outdoor courtyard, artfully built around century-old oak trees, adds to the ambience. Upscale yet relaxed, the hotel attracts a stylish, laid-back crowd, including business travellers attending conventions who appreciate the rooftop sunbathing between events. The Tenfold Rooftop Bar, the highest in the city, draws locals and guests alike, ensuring the hotel never feels overly corporate.
Service
The staff at Kimpton Santo are diligent and accommodating. During my stay, they promptly fulfilled requests for extra items like a clothes steamer, demonstrating their attentiveness.
Bed and Bath
Rooms are modern and immaculate, featuring Spanish-inspired soft furnishings that nod to Texas's heritage. My premium room, with 456 square feet, offered a separate bath and walk-in shower, feeling more like a studio apartment. Luxury suites with dining areas are also available. Beds are large and comfortable, positioned opposite a large TV and floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning city views. Each room includes coffee and tea facilities, a work desk, and blackout curtains for a restful sleep.
Food and Drink
The highlight for cocktails and light bites is the Tenfold Rooftop Lounge, an open-air bar with panoramic views rivaling the nearby Tower of the Americas. I enjoyed gold-flaked salmon tataki, grilled octopus, lobster crispy rice, and a mezze platter while relaxing on sofa seating. For a formal dinner, Dean's Steak & Seafood restaurant is set in a 19th-century schoolhouse, offering dishes like oysters Rockefeller and wild Alaskan halibut. End the evening at The Study, an intimate cocktail lounge with a terrace under centuries-old oak trees. The hotel can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice.
Facilities
The 24-hour gym offers leafy city views, with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stair steppers, and free weights. The heated rooftop lap pool, 1.1 metres deep, provides views of the Art Deco Tower Life Building and surrounding skyscrapers, with private cabanas and sun loungers for ordering cocktails and appetisers.
Accessibility
All areas, including the pool, restaurants, and fitness facilities, are accessible. Some rooms feature visual strobe smoke detectors, bed shakers, and door knock alerts. Guests should contact the hotel when booking to ensure availability.
Pet Policy
Pets of all sizes and breeds are welcome with no fee or deposit. Owners must complete a pet form on arrival and ensure dogs are out of the room during daily housekeeping.
Check-in/Check-out
Check-in is from 3pm; check-out is 12pm.
Family-Friendly
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult, and there is no kids' club. Rollaway cribs are available free of charge with advance arrangement.
At a Glance
- Best thing: The panoramic views.
- Perfect for: Chic sightseers wanting easy access to San Antonio's sights.
- Not right for: Those who dislike minimalist design.
- Instagram from: The rooftop bar overlooking the city.
Lydia was a guest of Kimpton Santo.
Address: 431 S Alamo St, San Antonio, Texas 78205, United States
Phone: +1 210-222-1000
Website: santohotelsanantonioriverwalk.com
