Editor's note: At the end of 2025, we're looking back at the stories that shaped San Antonio this year. In our Travel section, readers were most interested in unique day trips, from wacky Hill Country stays to luxe mineral springs spas. Back in the city limits, Alamo City hotels were prepping for Project Marvel by renovating guest rooms and public spaces ahead of a new tourism surge.
Here are San Antonio's top 10 travel stories of 2025.
1. 7 weird and wild places to stay in the Texas Hill Country. In 2025, San Antonians looking for a Hill Country weekender weren’t just booking wine tastings. These unique properties offered the chance to glamp in a covered wagon, wake up to baby giraffes, or sleep in a vintage Texaco station.
2. San Antonio-area state park garners new ranking as 8th best in U.S.The 2025 HomeToGo State Park Index ranked Garner State Park the No. 8 best state park in the nation for a “great value stay.” The scenic property, located about 90 miles west of San Antonio in the Hill Country, was the only Texas park to earn a spot among the top 10 nationwide.
3. Ritzy San Antonio River Walk hotel reveals $5.7M event space makeover. In anticipation of the new downtown Spurs’ arena, several Alamo City hotels completed multi-million dollar renovations. In September, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk announced an overhaul of its meeting and event spaces in a move to entice lucrative conventions and other large-scale gatherings.
4. River Walk hotel unveils $9M glow-up with new restaurant and bar. Meanwhile, the nearby Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk had its own glow-up. The downtown hotel revealed a revamp in September, including a new coffee shop, a lobby bar, and a stylish Italian restaurant.
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk completed its $9 million renovation in October. Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
5. 2 San Antonio neighbors rack up an impressive 10 Texas Travel Awards. San Antonio’s suburbs stole the spotlight when the annual roundup of Texas’ best destinations was announced in June. Boerne, New Braunfels, and Gruene nabbed honors, while Alamo City was left out in the cold.
6. Hilton takes the reins at San Antonio’s iconic La Cantera Resort. In October, Hilton took over management of San Antonio’s beloved La Cantera Resort & Spa, redubbing the property Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa. It seems tons of CultureMap readers are signed up to the chain's mega-popular Hilton Honors perks program.
7. San Antonio’s Hotel Havana quietly closing after 15 years. The boutique hotel, once a sweetheart of upscale travel magazines, quietly checked out of Alamo City on October 20. The news followed the unceremonious closure of its signature restaurant, Ocho, in June.
8. New Braunfels luxury hotel to open with restaurant from Texas TV chef. SpringHill Suites by Marriott unveiled plans for a new eight-story hotel in the booming San Antonio suburb in June. The swanky property will include the Hill Country’s first outpost of Tex-Mex mini-chain Paloma Suerte from celebrity Fort Worth chef Tim Love.
9. San Antonio's Mokara Hotel saddles up for a luxurious room refresh. Another day, another renovation story. Mokara Hotel & Spa debuted a guest room refresh in September, along with relaxing new wellness services like a “Bathroom Butler.”
10. 4 top Texas hot springs spas for soaking up relaxation. Mineral springs spas have been in existence for centuries, but renewed interest in holistic health made them one of 2025’s hottest trends. This year, San Antonians were taking the plunge at these four tranquil retreats.
