Holiday Inn San Antonio-Riverwalk by IHG

Forty steps from the famous River Walk bend at North St. Mary's Street, this Holiday Inn places guests at the quieter upper stretch of the canal before it curves south toward the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita.

The outdoor pool occupies the terrace level, flanked by the on-site bar where happy hour runs alongside live music evenings. The restaurant handles room service and kid-friendly meals, useful for families who want to skip the tourist-priced cafes lining the boardwalk below.

Check-in opens at 16:00; the business center and 24-hour front desk suit corporate travelers attending events at the Henry B. González Convention Center, four blocks south on Commerce Street.