San Antonio, TexasLa Villita
Kimpton Santo San Antonio - Riverwalk by IHG
Repurposed schoolhouse tower
La Villita San Antonio, Texas
Opened
2024
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Heritage SocialOutside the door
The house
IHGRepurposed schoolhouse tower
A sleek modern tower wraps around an 1858 schoolhouse, centering hotel life on live oaks and open-air skyline views.
What it’s good at
Notable
A modern tower incorporates Spanish colonial accents and an oak-shaded central courtyard.
Notable
The 1858 German-English schoolhouse contains eight suites with original exposed limestone walls.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Part new build, part 19th-century schoolhouse, the Kimpton Santo took home the Power of Preservation Foundation's Preservation Project of the Year for good reason.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
La Villita Historic Village borders the property, with River Walk cafes and Alamo Plaza a short walk away.
The rooms
Tower rooms look out through floor-to-ceiling windows, while eight historic schoolhouse suites keep exposed limestone walls and soaking tubs.
The rooftop pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The tenth-floor heated pool looks out over downtown, bordered by striped cabana seating and sun loungers.
Bar
Tenfold Rooftop
The open-air bar pours top-shelf tequilas and mezcals, with a menu of thirteen global small plates.
At the table
Dean's serves steaks and oysters beside exposed limestone walls, with rare bourbons poured at the adjoining bar.
How it began
The grounds began as an 1858 German-English school, and world leaders later gathered in the courtyard to initial NAFTA in 1992.
San Antonio
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.