San Antonio is not only the origination of military aviation, but it is also the birthplace of Texas’s Independence. San Antonio is the most visited city in the state, perhaps because you can experience a wide array of luxury ventures for reasonable prices. Along with the state capital, Austin, San Antonio is said to be vastly more scenic than the flat, industrial cities of Houston and Dallas.
There are an abundance of opulent resorts, hotels, and spas in San Antonio. A popular place to stay is the Westin La Cantera, where you can indulge your golf sport at the 71-par Palmer Course, which features an onsite golf academy and PGA certified trainers. After a game of golf, you can take the complimentary 5-minute hotel shuttle to the Shops at La Cantera, and end the day with a spa treatment at the Castle Rock Health Club & Spa.
Another popular hotel is the Hyatt Hill Country, which offers an indulgent 4-acre water playground, equipped with an adult whirlpool and 950-ft long lazy river. The resort also offers a 25-treatment room spa, a jogging/bike trail, tennis court, and golf club. Other upscale places to stay in San Antonio are the Hotel Contessa, which features an 1700 sq ft. Aveda spa, and the Omni La Maison del Rio, which features the Mokara Spa, the only 4-star hotel and spa in San Antonio.
The city offers many free events, including, the San Antonio River Walk: the city’s most popular tourist attraction and is the reason why San Antonio is nicknamed, “River City”. Here you can find free performances and restaurants lining the river. For the culturally-inclined, the San Antonio Museum of Art has free admission on Tuesday’s. The San Antonio Botanical Garden and King William Historic District are two great places for a romantic stroll.
Luxury shopping is another great reason to visit San Antonio. The retail outlet of San Marcos features high fashion brands such as Fendi, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Etro. North Star Mall and The Shops at La Cantera offer a selection of high-end brands as well. If your tastes extend to the local flavor, La Villita, a charming “little village” is a great place to visit, with hand-crafted items by local artisans and boutique art galleries and shops. La Villita is located conveniently nearby the River Walk and downtown hotels.
Upscale charity events and galas are commonplace in San Antonio. The annual Las Americas golf tournament is a charity event that takes place every year in San Antonio to support Lorena Ochoa’s Foundation, “Ayudar es Posible.” At the conclusion of the event, the exclusive Las Americas gala features a dinner, runway show, and charity auction. In February, the San Antonio Museum of Art’s Blue and White Ball brings out some of the city’s most influential art collectors and philanthropists. Also in February, the Symphony Belle Ball features around 30 young ladies from San Antonio’s most prominent families making their debuts. The annual Cancer Center Council luncheon supports the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. There are many other fundraisers, family events, and marathons that occur throughout the year in the city.
