Menger Hotel in San Antonio

The Menger Hotel in San Antonio is a historic hotel that was built in 1859, approximately 23 years after the fall of the Alamo. The Menger Hotel is most known for its history and location off the famous San Antonio Riverwalk. The hotel's owner, William A. Menger was a German immigrant who made his fortune operating a brewery before deciding to open the hotel on February 1, 1859. William A. Menger hired an architect named John Fries to begin construction of the two-story building that would soon hold a prominent location in downtown San Antonio. Because of the hotel's prominence, legendary celebrities were added to the register. Famous people like Theodore Roosevelt, Sam Houston, Babe Ruth, Mae West, and Ulysses S. Grant were a few of the politicians and celebrities who have stayed at the Menger Hotel. The hotel is significant to the San Antonio community as being a historic landmark. The hotel opened its doors to the public more than a century ago and has attracted millions of guests over the years. The first thing that guests of the Menger Hotel notice is the historic charm of the lobby area and the black Baldwin piano that is often played by various musicians. The neoclassical Victorian lobby is filled with fine artwork, antiques, and historic photographs including a guest registry that dates back more than a century.

The hotel has 316 guest rooms that are full of amenities. Each room is equipped with a mixture of antique and contemporary furnishing, reading chairs, and high ceilings. Every room has a view of the pool, garden areas, or the Alamo. Over the years, the hotel has become more refined while maintaining its traditional elegance and sophisticated atmosphere. The structure was originally two stories but was eventually converted to five. The Menger Hotel was able to maintain its historic charm while updating to all of the amenities of a high-class hotel. Although the architecture and artifacts located in the hotel qualify as museum-quality, the hotel remains open to the public. Guests who stay at the Menger Hotel have access to an outdoor pool with crystal clear water. The pool is the largest pool in downtown San Antonio. The Menger Bar provides beverages to those who lounge around the pool deck or decide to go for a relaxing swim. Adjacent to the Menger pool sits a fitness center that allows guests to gaze at the landscaping while enjoying a workout.

One interesting aspect of the Menger Hotel are the apparent ghost sightings that have taken place throughout the years. The most famous ghosts are said to be of former President Teddy Roosevelt. Another ghost sighting is that of a woman named Sallie White who was a chambermaid who worked at the hotel. Her apparition has been spotted by guests and staff walking through the hallways with fresh towels. Despite the numerous accounts of ghost-sightings that have occurred at the hotel, thousands of guests still book rooms at the Hotel Menger, anxious to experience a bit of Texas history.

The location of the hotel places guests within feet of the San Antonio Riverwalk, Rivercenter Mall, and is only a hundred yards away from the historic Alamo. The Menger Hotel is also within walking distance from the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center making the hotel a popular choice for convention-goers. Other features of the Menger Hotel include a beauty center, mini bar, multilingual staff, sauna, and wake up service.

Overall, the Menger Hotel is in a gorgeous location that is steeped in the history of San Antonio. The hotel has been carefully preserved throughout the ages and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its history of being one of the oldest hotels in Texas.