I don’t know about you, but I find that sometimes staycations are a bit more glamorous and restful than actual vacations. Is it the fact that you don’t actually have to travel anywhere? Is it the fact that you already know the area and the best location to stay in? Or is it simply the fact that you’re spending time with your loved one and all the hustle and bustle of normal life is set aside and exchanged with relaxation and enjoyment? Whatever the reason, taking a staycation is one of my favorite things and I’m not sure why we don’t do it more often.
Hilton Palacio Del Rio Review
The last few nights before we moved to Germany, Derik and I decided to take a mini staycation at Hilton Palacio Del Rio to celebrate Derik’s graduation from school and have a bit of rest before we began our new European chapter of life. I’m not sure why it took an entire year to visit the Hilton situated right on the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, but I’m glad we had a chance to enjoy for a couple of days before we left the United States. The Hilton Palacio Del Rio is more than a hotel — It also hosts several bars, a beautiful cafe, outdoor pool, conference rooms, and a coffee shop!
The Experience
From the moment we pulled under the bay for valet parking for check-in, to our 4:00am check-out, we felt like we were well taken care of. Every single employee of the hotel was courteous, more than willing to offer advice and went out of their way to help us if we had questions or needed anything. We checked in during San Antonio’s Fiesta celebration, so to say the hotel was busy is an understatement. The fact that the staff remained polite, over-accommodating, and went above and beyond is really saying something because they were literally busy every second of every day.
If you don’t know anything about Fiesta (I didn’t so you’re not the only one), stumbling upon the riverwalk during this time might be quite a shocker. The entire city of San Antonio turns into a big party for all ages celebrating San Antonio’s culture and vibrance. I wish we would have been able to get out more and enjoy, but we needed a couple days of R&R before the chaos of setting in Germany began.
The Room
We had the pleasure of staying in Hilton Palacio Del Rio’s Presidential Suite. The suite was huge: almost twice the size as some of the apartments Derik and I had lived in when we were in Asia. It offered three balconies with bird’s eye views of the city, a living room, kitchenette, office area, dining area and a bedroom and bathroom.
Everything about the suite was lavish and well thought out, and it invited you in to want to come and stay a while. I know it sounds weird but one of my favorite parts of the entire suite was the shower. It offered 3 different shower heads: two on the sides of the shower and one on the ceiling. If I could live in a shower for the rest of my life, that one would be it. I told Derik, “I felt like the shower gave me a warm hug the entire time I was using it.”
The Food
If you’ve read some of our past reviews you’ll know the food is a crucial part of our vacations…staycations included. We love trying what a place has to offer, and Derik is quite the critic (I like everything). We decided to visit Hilton’s cafe (The River’s Edge Cafe) for dinner our last night in San Antonio. Both Derik and I were surprised at all the menu options and loved that there was such a variety: Tex-mex, seafood, burgers, and steak. Everything we ate was delicious, although I was partial to the chocolate cake I ordered for dessert (isn’t cake always the winner).
Book this Accommodation If…
…You’re looking for a nice hotel right in the heart of the city.
…Staycation. It’s a great place to ‘getaway’ if you’re currently living in San Antonio!
…You like convenience (hello multiple bars, restaurants, and right on the river walk).
…an overall experience is what you’re looking for instead of just a bed to sleep in.
Derik and I received an upgrade from a room we had booked prior to collaboration with Hilton Palacio Del Rio in exchange for an open and honest review. You should know that all opinions always and forever will be MY OWN.