Fall in love all over again in a city of centuries-old Spanish colonial missions, vibrant art and music, intoxicating natural beauty, fine dining in spectacular settings and intimate, out-of-the-way places to explore together.
 

Stroll hand-in-hand along shady cobblestone paths that meander along the scenic River Walk. Savor cuisines from around the world and fine wines made in the nearby Texas Hill Country. Immerse yourself in the pleasures of personal attention and sumptuously appointed rooms at luxury hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts.

Or indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, a refreshing dip in a pool or a great meal at one of the area’s stellar full-service resorts.
 With so many ways to kindle romance and nurture the soul, San Antonio is an ideal setting for a vacation, engagement, wedding, anniversary or second honeymoon. Rediscover yourselves – and each other – in a place that touches you deep. In the heart.

 

Historic Hotels & B&Bs

Fall under the enchanting spell of picturesque architecture and San Antonio’s storied past at an historic hotel and bed-and-breakfast. Many are conveniently situated right downtown or near the city’s heart line, the River Walk.

The Menger Hotel, right next to the Alamo, oozes old San Antonio charm. Built in 1859, this national landmark boasts rooms tastefully appointed with poster beds, modern amenities and the city’s largest heated outdoor swimming pool. The opulent St. Anthony Hotel, part of the Wyndham chain, dates to 1909 and has been restored with lavish carpets, bronze accents, French Empire antiques and works of art from around the world. For Spanish flavor, the Omni La Mansión del Rio, with origins back to 1852, blends Spanish colonial architecture with elegant accommodations and River Walk views. If you prefer sleek lines and sophisticated style, the chic Hotel Valencia combines modern ambiance with luxurious amenities such as beds enveloped in seven (seven!) layers of Egyptian cotton linens. You may never want to leave.

Transport yourself to a slower-paced time at one of the city’s lovely B&Bs, many of which are located in the historic King William District just south of downtown. A good example is the Oge House, which overlooks the River Walk and was built in 1857 in the antebellum, neoclassical style. Surrounded by manicured grounds, lush plantings, rose gardens and expansive verandas, the Oge House is steeped in romance. Exquisite rooms are furnished with period antiques, and serene gardens (complete with a hammock) offer the ultimate luxury – time to relax and reflect.

Resorts & Spas

Relax and reconnect with yourself and that special person in your life at one of the area’s premier resorts and spas. The Watermark Hotel & Spa on the River Walk, recipient of Mobil’s coveted four-star rating, offers the ultimate in personal attention. Do the “Texas Two Step” – not the dance, but the dual massage for couples – or experience a unique signature massage, like one that uses Spanish rosemary followed by yucca serum to re-energize tired muscles.

In northwest San Antonio near Six Flags® Fiesta Texas, The Westin La Cantera Resort perches on a high hill on the site of an abandoned limestone rock quarry. With two championship golf courses, six pools, a health club and spa, La Cantera offers a haven for those seeking a sophisticated twist on R&R. The hotel’s restaurant, Francesca’s at Sunset, located on the third floor of the resort’s Citadel building, is a popular spot for watching glorious sunsets. World-renowned chef Mark Miller of Santa Fe’s Coyote Café has created a Southwestern-spirited menu here offering top-notch steak and seafood dishes.

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, located near SeaWorld® San Antonio, boasts 27 holes of championship golf and the full-service, world-class Windflower – The Hill Country Spa and Salon. Windflower, located amidst 300 acres of wildflowers and meadows, offers a couples massage and stone massage, as well as other treatments.

Hidden Gems

Although it’s hardly hidden, the River Walk may be one of the city’s best-kept secrets – if you go just after sunrise, before the bounty of restaurants and shops open. It’s the perfect place for a romantic, relaxing stroll, with the sounds of singing birds and falling water, the perfume of flowers, and the rich tapestry of textures and colors that often gets lost among the crowds that will come later.

The campus of Trinity University, just a few miles north on a high hill, offers spectacular views of downtown. The red-brick architecture (designed by the renowned O’Neill Ford), outdoor sculptures, splashing fountains and an exquisite Presbyterian church with a wall of stained glass overlooking a formal courtyard garden are worth a visit for photo ops and some quiet time.

San Antonio is a city of murals, many of them executed in colorful ceramic tile. The Menger Hotel boasts a gem of one in its courtyard: a colorful fountain where water trickles beneath a vivid wall panel of more than 70 ceramic tiles. They depict a woman in a long white dress clutching a bunch of calla lilies, with a handsome suitor kneeling at her feet offering more flowers. The tile was made by potters at Mission San José. It’s an unexpected work of art that offers an intimate tribute to the timeless power of love.

Romantic Diversions

San Antonio’s passion for, well, passion heats up at night. Evening transforms San Antonio into a city of lights and music. The River Walk sets the stage for romance with twinkling lights in the trees and candles flickering on tables at riverside restaurants and nightclubs. Listening to soft jazz while sampling succulent seafood in a cozy restaurant, or being serenaded by a mariachi band at one of the city’s many outstanding Tex-Mex restaurants, turns shared meals into shared memories. So does a candelight dinner on one of the barges that cruise the river. Afterwards, enjoy a performance at the ornate, atmospheric Majestic Theatre, inspired by Spanish Mission, Baroque and Mediterranean architecture. The theatre transports you to a mystical villa with its elaborate ornamentation and vaulted sky that comes to life with twinkling stars and drifting clouds.

A romantic way to take in the city sights by night or day is with an intimate ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Or hop on a downtown streetcar to discover your heart’s desire in shops selling fine art, jewelry, apparel, pottery and folk art from Mexico, along with unique San Antonio treasures. If you crave spending time alone surrounded by rugged natural beauty, a short drive takes you into the blue-green hills to marvel at magnificent sunsets, sample award-winning wines from Texas’ version of the famed Napa Valley, or escape to a charming Hill Country inn.

Many couples exchange vows in places such as Marriage Island, a tiny island just off the bank of the San Antonio River, or in the Little Church of La Villita, the historic downtown village where many artisans own shops selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to handcrafted copper articles to fine blown glass art. Some of the lovely antebellum B&Bs in the King William historic district often host weddings and receptions, and the Witte Museum in Brackenridge Park offers a historic setting in a courtyard shaded by a canopy of large oak trees for weddings on the veranda and receptions inside the Prassel Auditorium.

Secret Hideaways

San Antonio abounds with out-of-the-way places to take romantic walks, share a kiss or just disappear for a few hours. The Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park, located on an old rock quarry, offers a serene escape with walkways, stone-arch bridges, an island, pagoda and ponds brimming with colorful koi. The garden underwent a renovation and has recently reopened better than ever.

One of the most romantic spots is Rosa’s Window at Mission San José. Legend has it the ornately carved stone window was named for Rosa, the sculptor’s betrothed. Three other missions in San Antonio Missions National Park, whose oldest structures date to the early 1700s, offer places for reflection and renewal. All are still active Catholic parishes. Visitors might catch a wedding or couples dancing during the weekly Mariachi Mass at San José.

For a country getaway, the charming Grey Moss Inn north of San Antonio sets the stage for romance and relaxation with candlelight dinners, an extensive wine list and a menu of steaks, lobster, salmon and special desserts. (Don’t miss the homemade pecan pie!)

Tucked along the cobblestone paths of La Villita, the Fig Tree Restaurant is another treasure that is a perfect setting for a special dinner. Whether sitting in the cozy interior or on the terrace overlooking the River Walk, you’ll be satiated with excellent cuisine and pampered by impeccable service.

Faces of San Antonio

The clip-clop of horses’ hooves is the sound of romance and relaxation to Anne Van Dyke. As owner of San Antonio’s Yellow Rose Carriage Co., Anne and her husband, Richard, offer visitors a memorable horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown or the historic King William District, or an unforgettable way to arrive or depart from a wedding. Anne, an accomplished equestrian, launched the carriage business in 1982. Over the years, she’s shown thousands of visitors the sights of San Antonio and has even posed with them in photographs.

“I’ve been in people’s family albums all over the world,” she says affectionately. She hears a lot of comments about San Antonio’s small-town flavor and romantic ambiance. Anne herself was drawn to San Antonio from the Miami area because of the city’s friendliness.

“San Antonio has been good to me. It’s home,” she says. And it’s a home away from home for so many people who want to slow down, relax and experience the romance of San Antonio the old-fashioned way.