Alam-oh, wow!

6 stunning San Antonio hotels check in on Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2019

The St. Anthony, a hotel in downtown San Antonio, was ranked the No. 3 hotel in Texas.

Photo courtesy of St. Anthony Hotel

For more than 30 years, Condé Nast Traveler has asked readers to weigh in on the top places, spaces, and trips around the world. This year's results, released on October 7, not only shine a spotlight on six of San Antonio's top-rated hotels and resorts, but on the city itself.

This year’s Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are based on input from more than 600,000 travelers around the world.

Topping the accolades for San Antonio is a No. 10 showing among the best big cities in the U.S. Chicago took the top spot, followed by Minneapolis and Boston. No other Texas city made the list.

“Best known for its River Walk and the historic Alamo, San Antonio in recent years has developed a hip side worth exploring," the magazine says. "Its Pearl District is a pedestrian-friendly redevelopment with buzzy restaurants on the banks of the river."

Condé Nast Traveler also gives a nod to the smothered chicken-fried steak at Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe and the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden.

“If you’re lucky, you’ll be there for Fiesta, a 10-day heritage celebration that draws locals and tourists alike,” says Condé Nast Traveler, recommending the Pearl's Hotel Emma or the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa as places to stay.

San Antonio fared well in the magazine’s ranking of the best hotels in Texas, too. The Hotel Valencia Riverwalk grabbed the No. 2 spot, behind the JW Marriott Austin, while The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel ranked third, and Hotel Emma ranked fourth.

On Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the top resorts in the U.S., San Antonio’s La Cantera Resort & Spa landed at No. 8.

“We take pride in our world-class property, team and services, and we are elated and humbled to be ranked so highly, especially since it comes directly from readers and travelers who have experienced our Hill Country oasis,” John Spomer, vice president and managing director of La Cantera, says in a release announcing the news. “We look forward to continuing to provide elevated service and experience to our future guests.”

San Antonio also nabbed three spots among the top resorts in Texas and the Southwest, with La Cantera Resort & Spa leading the list, followed at No. 2 by the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa. The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa ranked 16th.

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Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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