San Antonio International Airport (SAT): Approximate driving time is 20 minutes and distance is 10 miles.

Driving directions from SAT: Follow signs to Rte 281 south and continue on I-37 south. Take exit 131C (McCullough Ave/Nolan St) and bear right to Brooklyn Ave. Turn left on Avenue E, and left again on E Houston St.

Getting there: The SA TRANS airport shuttle ($5–15) is the best way to get to the hotel from the airport. Taxis ($16–$25) are also available. (Fees subject to change without notice.)

Getting around: Many attractions are within walking distance of the hotel, and there is a trolley (less than $5; fees subject to change without notice) that stops in front of the Alamo and serves most of the major attractions. Valet parking is available at the hotel for a fee, but a rental car is not necessary for sightseeing in the immediate area.

Drawing room-style doors lead into sleek granite-and-tile bathrooms with chrome accessories and Aveda bath products. Architecturally, no two rooms are alike. Some have high ceilings; others have dramatic curves and moldings. All rooms have views of the city or the Alamo and its gardens.

Amenity highlights: Pots of bamboo grace the hotel's terrace, with its stainless-steel pool and spa tub overlooking the San Antonio skyline. The fitness center offers free weights and cardio equipment, fresh towels, purified water, and two TVs. This 177-room hotel offers a cozy library with a fireplace adjoining the lobby and is a gathering spot for drinks or reading the daily New York Times.

Insider tip: In February of 2000, workers in the Alamo discovered a series of frescoes painted on one of the walls in the 1700s. Historians believe that friars living in the mission taught the Native Americans how to paint in a style that was used in Mexico City in the 1500s. Visitors can view the frescoes. Admission is free.

The hotel's unique stainless-steel swimming pool and spa tub overlook the San Antonio skyline. The fitness center offers free weights and cardio equipment, fresh towels, purified water, and two TVs. A cozy library with a fireplace adjoins the lobby and is a gathering spot for drinks or for reading the daily New York Times.