Is The Luxe Monarch San Antonio Worth It?

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The Monarch San Antonio, a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, hits all the right notes for a luxury stay in this charming Texas city. It leans into design that honors its namesake, the butterfly that stops in San Antonio during its annual migration and its location in the heart of downtown gives it a top score for walkability.

Highlights of The Monarch:

Elegant design
Superior service
Fabulous restaurants
Well-appointed rooms
Rooftop pool with a view of the Tower of the Americas, sun deck and bar
Pet-friendly
Easy walking distance to San Antonio’s don’t-miss attractions, the Alamo and the River Walk
And the cherry on top: a chauffeured Rolls-Royce SUV available for complimentary rides anywhere within a two-mile radius of the hotel (or book for longer trips)

Best For: Discerning couples, solo travelers, Hilton Honors loyalty members seeking boutique flair and conventioneers wanting a luxury stay during a meeting at the Henry B. González Convention Center next door.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted by Visit San Antonio.

Exterior of the Monarch San Antonio hotel — Even the exterior of the hotel features the graceful curve of the monarch butterfly wings. Photo credit: Cindy Richards

First Impressions

The Monarch San Antonio, a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, is serious about butterflies. From the light fixtures in the airy lobby to the headboards in the guestrooms to the glowing La Mariposa sculpture outside, every soft and flowing line is reminiscent of the monarch that stops in San Antonio on its annual migration.

And the shiny black Rolls-Royce SUV parked at the entrance is a reminder that the hotel doesn’t skimp on the luxe.

SheBuysTravel Tip: This is a Hilton property, so join the Hilton Honors program before you book to earn points to get Hilton‘s Best Price guarantee, plus members-only perks and to earn points for future stays. Hilton Diamond and Gold members also get food and beverage credits worth up to $18 per day for two guests.

Smiling woman sits inside a Rolls-Royce SUV owned by The Monarch San Antonio hotel — Who wouldn’t be smiling when they’re getting a free ride in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce? Photo credit: Cindy Richards

Who Should Stay at The Monarch

I was there on a solo trip, scouting San Antonio for a future travel writers’ conference, so I was visiting solo. But I wished my husband had been along. The hotel feels exactly right for a long romantic weekend in the city.

From the comfortable rooms to the elevated service to the lobby bar and fantastic food, The Monarch delivers.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Spring for a corner suite if you can swing it. The suites feature a huge bathroom with a soaking tub next to a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city.

San Antonio River Walk, with flowers on one side of the river and colorful umbrellas over riverside tables on the other — The colorful San Antonio River Walk is a short stroll from The Monarch. Photo credit: Cindy Richards

Location

While it’s tempting to only talk about the hotel’s features, service and quality, it’s at least as important to talk about its location.

The hotel is built on the edge of Hemisfair Park, making it a short walk to:

The Alamo
The River Walk
The convention center
The Tower of the Americas

You can’t beat any of that for a centrally located lodging choice.

If you want to venture farther afield, the hotel has bikes you can borrow for free. Or you can book a ride in that Rolls!

A double queen guestroom at The Monarch San Antonio hotel — Graceful curves are a hallmark of the design throughout the hotel and its guestrooms. Photo credit: Cindy Richards

Guest Rooms

The 200 guest rooms have all of the comfort you would expect from a new $185 million luxury hotel. There’s the high-end coffee machine, comfy bed, the high thread-count sheets, the luxe bath products, the reliable wifi, smart TVs, the graceful design and soothing earth tones.

My room, a corner suite, included a spacious sitting room, king bedroom and beautiful bathroom with that soaking tub I’m still dreaming of.

Standard rooms come in king and double-queen configurations.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Request a high floor for the best views over the city and to reduce the chances you’ll be kept awake by street noise.

Unique Guest Room Amenities

There’s no iron, but there is a steamer in the closet.
Butterfly-themed umbrella
Niven Morgan bath products from the Dallas-based luxury apothecary brand
Double locks and a covered peephole enhance the feeling of safety

Dining

The hotel offers two top-tier restaurants and a coffee shop that serves much more than coffee.

four colorful Conchas donuts -- one red, one yellow, one chocolate and one vanilla -- and a tall glass of pink drink, served at Aleto at The Monarch San Antonio hotel — Order the Conchas for breakfast and pair them with a watermelon mint agua fresca. Photo credit: Cindy Richards

Aleteo

Dining: Daily 7 am to 10 pm (open until 11 pm Friday & Saturday). Rooftop bar service extends until midnight Sunday and Thursday, and 2 am Friday & Saturday.

I had breakfast at this bright and sunny spot that serves a menu of “Yucatan fusion.” The service was as stellar as the food and the view was the icing on the Concha. In keeping with the monarch theme, the name Aleteo translates to “flutter.”

What to order: The colorful Conchas to honor Texas’ Mexican history and wash it down with a watermelon mint agua fresca. You’re welcome.

SheBuysTravel Tip: In the evening, ask for a seat on the outdoor patio under the lighted mariposa stained-glass ceiling to watch the sunset over Hemisfair Park and the La Mariposa sculpture.

Oak and Amber

Serves dinner from 5 to 9 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 to 10 pm Thursday to Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Hidden behind the lobby bar, Oak and Amber offers a line of specialty cocktails, a curated menu featuring steaks and fish dishes and a choice of desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. And it’s all enhanced by excellent service.

What to order: I had the olive oil-poached wild halibut and a specialty cocktail, the Flower of Twenty Petals, garnished with a marigold.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make reservations when you book your room to ensure you’ll get a seat.

The Nectarie Cafe

Serves 6 am to 5 pm daily

This elevated coffee shop serves sandwiches and snacks. I did not have time to try it, but I was drooling over the avocado toast in the display case.

Spa

Sadly, my busy schedule did not allow time for a visit to the Monarch Wellness & Recovery Spa, which opened in July. I plan to check in a day early to visit the spa when I return to San Antonio for the conference next spring.

A Note on the Civic Legacy of The Monarch

The Monarch was developed by the Zachry Hospitality group, a nice touch of multi-generational history. It was patriarch H.B. Zachry who built the nearby Hilton Palacio del Rio in an astonishing 202 days for the HemisFair World’s Fair in 1968.

That hotel is a notable highlight of River Walk cruise commentary. My river guide likened it to a LEGO set — the rooms were fully built offsite, complete with plumbing fixtures, lighting, artwork, furnishings and even ashtrays, then trucked to the construction site and raised into place by a crane.

FAQs

How does parking work at The Monarch San Antonio?

This is one place the hotel falters. The front drop-off for the $60-a-day valet parking is way too small, and there was often a traffic jam. There is no self-parking at the hotel, but public city parking garages and surface lots are available two blocks away (about 0.3 miles) around Hemisfair and the convention center.

Is The Monarch San Antonio pet-friendly?

Yes, dogs and pets up to 75 pounds are everywhere at the hotel. There is a $250 non-refundable pet deposit per stay. Email the concierge ([email protected]) before you arrive to request customized pet amenities in your room.

How do you book the complimentary Rolls-Royce house car at The Monarch San Antonio?

Free rides in the hotel’s chauffeured Rolls-Royce SUV are offered on a first-come, first-served basis for trips within a two-mile radius of the hotel. That means you can arrive in style at the Pearl District, Southtown restaurants or the Alamo. Coordinate with concierge when you arrive to check availability or reserve longer excursions for a fee.

SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.