The 9 best hotels in San Antonio

True to its name, this charming boutique hotel is situated on a more mellow stretch of San Antonio's normally-bustling River Walk. Spanish and Mediterranean touches lend the Hotel Valencia a more European feel than some of the city's other digs, and the 213 rooms are outfitted for ultimate luxury: Italian marble bathrooms, breezy balconies and oversized leather armchairs. Take advantage of the complimentary breakfast or the state-of-the-art fitness center before stepping out to walk along the river.

One of the hottest hotels in San Antonio at the moment, Hotel Emma offers luxury accommodations conveniently located in the heart of the trendy Pearl District. The building was originally built as a brewery in 1894 and has been transformed into a handsome space that expertly combines historic industrial accents with refined modern touches.

Hotel Havana provides a vibrant burst of color to the San Antonio River Walk—and its large colonial windows and spacious terraces help to up the charm. Austin hotelier Liz Lambert and her team at Bunkhouse run the hotel, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (it was originally opened by Edward Franz Melcher, a local grocer, in 1914). Each room is meticulously decorated in a colorful, playful style, and the restaurant Ocho and Havana Bar serve as casual places to drink and dine during your stay. Sip on a refreshing mojito and you just might think you're in Cuba.

As part of the Omni Resort family, Mokara Hotel & Spa is one of San Antonio's more luxury options—perfect for couples retreats, a girlfriends weekend or, hell, just treating yourself to Swedish massages, a seafood dinner at in-house restaurant Ostra, and swims in the heated rooftop pool. Its central setting on the River Walk makes it an ideal location for exploring the city or doing some serious shopping, but you'll want to return every night for a dip in your room's oversized soaking tub.

Another River Walk hotel, the Contessa offers sleek, modern rooms that convey more of an urban loft experience than other hotels around town. Exposed brick and private bedrooms are features in every room, and a number of on-site dining and drinking spots (like Las Ramblas, which has prime people-watching views) makes spending the weekend here a breeze. Be sure to stop by the Woodhouse Day Spa, where "The Woodhouse Escape" offers seven head-to-toe treatments for a full-body wind down.

Every city has at least one haunted hotel, and in San Antonio, the Crockett is rumored to have ghosts and ghouls aplenty. It's easy to see why: Situated just steps from the Alamo, the historic hotel is a stone's throw away from Texas' most epic battleground. Named after Davy Crockett, it offers 138 rooms, plus bars and restaurants (and complimentary breakfast!), an outdoor swimming pool and access to the spa next door. Of course, you'll have to keep an eye out for the spirit of old Davy himself—rumored to have taken his last breath in the current patio area.

Quite possibly the only hotel known for its mango ice cream, the Menger is a San Antonio institution—and it's legendary dessert has been on the Colonial Dining room's menu for over 100 years. The hotel opened in 1859, and has since come to serve as a both a landmark and historic hotel in the city's center, just a short stroll from the Alamo. While the Victorian decor in the 316 rooms can seem a little dated, it's all part of the charm at this elegant hotel.

Tucked away on 100 acres of Texas Hill Country, Eilan Hotel & Spa is arguably San Antonio's most luxe hotel. The Italian-inspired grounds include an outdoor pool with cabanas, an indoor Olympic-sized lap pool, tennis courts, a spa and a virtual golf room. While its surrounds are fairy tale-like enough to host plenty of weddings throughout the year, it's also a great place to escape into the rolling hills of Texas, with San Antonio just a short, 25-minute drive away.

In the heart of Downtown San Antonio, the St. Anthony is another historic landmark that has plenty of stories in its old (but recently renovated) halls. Whether you're staying in one of the superior or deluxe rooms or suites, the modern rooms are a comfortable respite after a day of exploring the city. Swimming pools with private cabanas, a health and fitness center, a rooftop bar and multiple dining experiences make this all-in-one hotel a splurge that's hard to resist.