I like San Antonio. It is a convention city and there’s a military base nearby, so the tourism economy is strong and there are lots of options when it comes to hotels and restaurants. It’s also highly amusing to guess which individuals are convening (and for what company or association) and which young people are destined for (or on break from) basic training. The conference lanyards and the military haircuts sometimes give it away, but otherwise this activity can keep you entertained for hours.

I myself have attended a conference here, and I’ve also visited a handful of times to collaborate with a communications agency on various projects. That’s why I’m here now, prompting me to share a few observations. Firstly, the weather is great – for example, it is approximately 60 degrees warmer outside than it was when I went out for the mail this morning in Minnesota. That’s a solid vote in favor of this city. Secondly, it really is the friendliest place – the cab drivers and the restaurant employees and the people I work with here are all very chatty and informative and welcoming. Thirdly, San Antonio is a city of much pride – pride of history, pride of culture, pride of people – and so there are a lot of interesting things to see and experience. I was in town when the Spurs won an important game in 2014, and the streets were clogged with people cheering and honking their horns in celebration.

I’ve stayed at a number of hotels, which is only relevant if you’re planning a trip to San Antonio – but maybe you are, or will be – or maybe you know someone who is. Plus, there are some pretty good stories in what appear to simply be hotel reviews, below:

Grand Hyatt: this is a perfectly nice, new, clean, Grand Hyatt that is close to convention activities and has a rooftop pool, though it rained most of the March weekend that I had hoped to use it. On that same rainy weekend, a gentleman in their in-house Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse informed me that he was the anonymous winner of a $100 million lottery, and that I was the first person he had told. Something about his sorrowful look, his well-worn baseball cap, and his wedding ring made me believe him, and I suggested he call his wife.

Hotel Havana: this is far and away my favorite hotel I have stayed at, but also had the highest likelihood of actually being haunted, so it would take courage to stay there again. There was a delightful balcony off my room, and palm trees in the courtyard, and whimsical interior design that felt like I was staying at my crazy San Antonio aunt’s house. I had memorably delicious breakfast here, delivered to my room and consisting of broiled grapefruit and warm tortillas and some kind of milky coffee concoction.

Holiday Inn Riverwalk: this is a perfectly nice, new, clean, Holiday Inn that is right next to the restaurant-heavy area of the riverwalk, and surrounded by historic theaters. The windows are big in these rooms and there is nice architecture nearby to appreciate, but no sense of history or ghosts inside. This very night, Macklemore is playing at the Majestic, across the street. His show apparently requires four semis that are labeled “Truck ‘n Roll, Concert Logistiques” and my sister informs me that if Macklemore is here, so is her friend Greg, who plays trombone in his band.

Hotel Emma: I have not stayed here, but if ever my hotel budget is around $350 a night, this would be my very top choice. It just opened in the Pearl district, where they are renovating old brewery buildings into what is described as a “culinary and cultural community,” and it looks absolutely divine.

Sheraton Gunter: this hotel is conveniently located and the lobby is beautiful and historic, but when I stayed there in 2013 the whole central air system was creaky and temperamental, and the bathroom was tiny and a little on the grimy side. They claim to have recently renovated the rooms, and they’ve posted glowing reviews on their website, so this negative bias may no longer be relevant.

I’ve also eaten at a whole lot of restaurants, but I’ll save that for another post.

Photo credits: all mine!