January 2023

SAN ANTONIO (January 24, 2023) — As the seventh-largest city in the nation and one of the fastest growing, San Antonio always has something new and exciting to explore. Here are the upcoming newest offerings as well as developments on the horizon.  

Hotels

Dual-concept Ac Hotel & Element Hotel Debuting At Riverview Towers (Ac Hotel: October 2022; Element Hotel: December 2022) 

Across from historic Main Plaza and San Fernando Cathedral, The Riverview Towers are now home to San Antonio’s first AC Hotel by Marriott and Element Hotel by Westin. The AC brand celebrates the beauty of classic modern designs born of its Spanish roots and European soul. The hotels’ 20-story building includes 4,000 sq. ft of function space and rooftop bar One Watson on the 13th floor overlooking the Main Plaza and River Walk. With 181 rooms, each offering amazing views, AC Hotel is a great retreat for simplistic luxury catering to the creative, well-traveled, entrepreneurial spirits, who are constantly on the go, and appreciate a well-designed hotel that allows them to focus, be present, and connect with others. Element Hotel offers 162 spacious guest rooms designed for longer stays including fully equipped in-room kitchens, fitness options and on-site laundry.  

 

New Otis Hotel to Be San Antonio’s First Autograph Collection Property (Spring 2023) 

An existing downtown hotel is undergoing a complete renovation, which will include the exterior, porte cochere, resort pool, lobby, meeting rooms and all guest rooms to become a boutique hotel called The Otis Hotel San Antonio. The property also will include an all-new destination spa, restaurant and bar. Guests will be inspired by The Otis Hotel’s luxurious contemporary design, which is perfectly juxtaposed with the property’s historic grounds and urban, oasis-like setting. Two of the property’s on-site historic 19th-century buildings will be repurposed from meeting and event space into a new day spa. The third historic bungalow will be used as a one-of-a-kind bridal suite. In addition to the nearly 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, additional outdoor event areas will be situated among the urban oasis – ideal for weddings, cocktail receptions and business events. 

 

Luxury Intercontinental Hotel Checking into River Walk (Late 2023) 

Scarlett Hotel Group and Trailbreak Partners have purchased the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk and plan a $50 million overhaul will turn the 21-story building into a luxury, full-service, four-star, 390-room InterContinental Hotel. As part of the multimillion-dollar upgrades, the new InterContinental will offer 40,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 3,000 square feet of dining and restaurant space, as well as luxury rooftop amenities. 

 

Attractions

The Alamo Expanding with Construction of Alamo Collections Hall (March 2023) 

The Alamo is working to improve the visitor experience and expand its exhibition facilities with its new Alamo Collections Center. This building will display part of the Phil Collins Collection, among other pieces from the Alamo Collection, in its 10,000 square feet of new exhibit space - five times more than the Alamo has today. This new building, part of “The Alamo Plan,” provides state-of-the-art facilities for special exhibitions and storage to ensure the long-term care of the Alamo collection. The Exhibition Hall is not a replacement for the upcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, which is on track for a 2026 launch. The Phil Collins Collection will then be put on display in the museum and the Collections Center will become home to additional traveling exhibits in order to further educate and engage visitors.

 

Hemisfair Gets A Fresh Look – Civic Park to Open in 2023 

A three-phase renovation project is enhancing the downtown experience by bringing additional open parkland, activities, restaurants and more to Hemisfair, the home of the 1968 World’s Fair. In March 2023, a new toddler play area will be added on the shore of the historic Acequia Madre, adjacent to the Bank of America Promenade. It will include five climbable vignettes that mimic a garden. 

In the fall 2023, Hemisfair will open “Civic Park” an addition of five acres of public parkland which includes a shared promenade, the Springs (a five-pooled water feature), and the Great Lawn, to welcome large events up to 15,000 people. 

 

Six Flags Announces A New Racing Roller Coaster World’s first-of-its-kind single-rail family racing roller coaster, and Texas’ only racing roller coaster, is coming to Six Flags Fiesta Texas! Created by Skyline Attractions, this unique coaster runs two trains, on two parallel racing and dulling tracks, simultaneously allowing guests to compete and race to the finish. An immersive LED lighting panel display is integrated into the track for an even more dynamic ride experience. The new innovative racing coaster's name and theme will be announced in 2023. 

Restaurants

 Künstler Tap and Brat-haus At Hemisfair (Spring 2023) Southtown's Künstler Brewing’s owners Vera and Brent Deskard will open a new location at Hemisfair, in the historic 1883 Pereida House. The new dining spot will serve Künstler’s award-winning beers along with bratwurst and other German favorite dishes. The menu will also include quick bites and to-go foods packaged for picnicking in the adjacent Yanaguana Garden. 

 

Bombay Bicycle Club At Hemisfair (Spring 2023) 

Bombay Bicycle Club partners Bill Leighton and Satchie Seidlits have teamed up with Paula Sullivan of Carmen’s de la Calle for Bombay Bicycle Club’s second location. The team will highlight the best of both restaurants with a menu featuring Carmen’s globally-inspired empanadas and Bombay’s famous burgers. Bombay Bicycle Club first opened in San Antonio in 1973 and is known for its laid-back atmosphere, margaritas and classic American menu. The restaurant and bar will open in the historic Espinoza House at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden.  

 

Kusch Faire At Hemisfair (Fall 2023) Opening in the fall, Kusch Faire, a new concept by the owners of Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar and Sichuan House, will bring bold Asian flavors to Hemisfair in the 19th-century Kusch house. 

 

The Jerk Shack At Hemisfair (Fall 2023) Caribbean-inspired restaurant The Jerk Shack will open its third brick-and-mortar location in 2023 in downtown San Antonio’s redeveloped Hemisfair district. Popular items from the original Jerk Shack, including Jamaican favorites braised oxtail and jerk chicken, will feature in the menu of the new spot. New to the mix will be an array of elevated, steakhouse-style items. The downtown location will also be the first Jerk Shack to include a full bar and cocktail program. The 1,740-square-foot restaurant will be located in the Schultze House, one of the complex's historically recreated homes. Constructed in 1893, the structure was part of HemisFair in 1968.