Hotel Review: Next Time In San Antonio, Eschew the Chains for a Boutique Independent

by Andrew Chalk

The Hotel Gibbs may be the ideal hotel for your next visit to San Antonio. Check out these features:

Location 

Across the street from the Alamo. Not only ideal for a visit but, if you choose the right room, you have an overhead view of it; 

A short walk from the Riverwalk which is not just a dining cornucopia but also a motorized traffic-free way around downtown (a secret); 

One half block from Houston Street which is rich with famous restaurants like La Panaderia (bakery) and Bohanan’s (steakhouse);

History

Built by Colonel C.C. Gibbs in 1909 as San Antonio’s first high-rise. It’s eight stories are modest by today’s standards but a hundred years ago that was some achievement;

Sensitively preserved including its neoclassical horizontal features;

Rooms

Several layouts to choose from. Choose a King Alamo View Junior Suite and ask for a corner unit. It will have windows on two sides. Other pluses are an oversized bathroom with a shower large enough for two people, a sofa and two TVs;

All rooms have: 

50” Samsung LED TV	Individually controlled heating & cooling
Complimentary wired and wireless Internet (fiber)	Spa-inspired showers
Keurig coffee maker	Hairdryer
Complimentary bottled water	Iron
Pillow-top mattress & custom bedding	Daily maid service
Conveniently located USB charging ports	Custom bath products

Note the USB charging ports are at desktop height (so are the AC chargers). That modification makes a historic room so much more livable with today’s electronics.

Breakfast

Included, and extensive. Not just another hotel breakfast (NJAHB). Lots of taco variants, salsas and guisado add to the eggs, sausage and bacon idiom;  

Bar

1909 Taproom has a good selection of local beers as well as mainstream brands;

Staff

It makes the biggest difference in my book, and the staff here are friendly and helpful;

The Experience

We loved our stay at the Hotel Gibbs and recommend it to anyone looking for a downtown hotel in San Antonio.

The Alamo is across the street

Declaration: I was a media guest of the Hotel Gibbs during my weekend visit to San Antonio