More about Omni San Antonio Hotel
Possibly the worst of all Omni Hotels
by TripAdvisor Member Phxhotelinspector
After having stayed at the hotel several times in 2006, we only can conclude that the Omni San Antonio is the worst franchise within the Omni chain (we are Omni select gold members and usually love the chain). The hotel is dirty, noisy, dated and poorly managed on all levels. Management obviously decided some time ago to mainly cater to kids and advertise kids specials, so during our three night stay in March 2006 the hotel was overrun with families and hundreds of noisy kids who used the hallways as a 24/7 playground. If you want a quiet and relaxing stay, beware! The elevators were extremly slow, as kids were using them for fun spending hours riding up and down.
Housekeeping did a lousy job: Our pillows had large stains and hairs. Debris from a previous guest on the carpet. The phone system in our room was screwed up: All buttons wrongly labeled. TV reception poor. They did not honor the room we had reserved and that was guaranteed. After recognizing smoke coming out of the neighboring room, we immediately called front desk, but they never followed up. The hotel could burn down without any employee ever recognizing it. The bedside lamp turned itself on in the middle of the night without touching it - what a great wake-up surprise at 2 am! Rooms are extremly noisy - all bathroom noises from above are transferred into your room, a good chance to study the bowel habits of other guests. The rooms need updating and still have the original popcorn ceilings from the glorious seventies. Not enough electrical outlets for a business traveller. Quality of room service food poor, long delivery time. The only good think is the Bolo restaurant where we had a nice dinner.
You get the picture: All in all a hotel to avoid at all costs!
exceeded positive expectations
by A TripAdvisor Member
this hotel earned a very positive review. used OMNIZOO promo code to receive $79 rate. signed up for OMNI SELECT program as suggested here prior to stay. thanks to previous reviews. service was excellent. received corner king room as requested. received two free breakfast buffet vouchers for each morning. buffet was excellent and well-suited to business or vacation travellers. buffet included myriad selections including custom omelletes from omelet chef. pool area looked like alot of fun for travelling families.g
Great Choice!
by TripAdvisor Member kmbmommy
My family and I stayed here for 2 nights in July while visiting San Antonio. We were able to book a room at the OMNIZOO promotional rate of $89/night and received vouchers for the excellent breakfast buffet for 2 every morning as well as complimentary newspaper and breakfast drinks delivered to our room by joining the Omni club. Thank you to previous reviewers for the excellent tips.
The room was adequate in size and very clean. We had a wonderful view from our window and could even see the downtown area. The bathroom was clean and had nice toiletries. The turndown service in the evening and bathrobes were also a nice touch. We used the pool and workout room and both were well-maintained. The lobby area was very pretty. Parking was easy and getting to and from downtown was also hassle-free and only took about 15 minutes. Free wireless Internet service worked great in the room. The staff -- front desk, bellman, doorman, housekeeping, restaurant (omelet station chef was very efficient!), etc. -- were all courteous and professional.
A couple of minor complaints about the room were not enough plugs for charging laptops and cellphones and not having an in-room safe. But, all in all, a great value for a top-notch hotel.
bad start great ending
by TripAdvisor Member Mcalderon
When making my reservations I was asked when I would be arriving, I stated 11:00. When I arrived my room was not ready and we had plans to attend Sea World as soon as we arrived. We waited an hour and the room still wasnt ready, if I hadnt decided to head straight to Seaworld no telling how long the wait would have been.
After a long day of fun at Seaworld we finally settles in to a comfortable room. The rate of the room was great at 89.00 a night and being a select guest member was a plus. We received breakfast coupons for 2 for everyday we were there. The rooms were very clean and the bathroom was fabulous. Besides the noise neighbors and the room not being ready my stay was great.
The view from my room was great and the complimentary drinks in the morning was nice also. For some reason I expected alittle more out of my stay but overall I would probably stay again but make sure I stress how important my room be available.
Good
by TripAdvisor Member Tendons
We didn't get a reduced rate with OMNIZOO, so this review may be a little jaded.
It's a nice hotel, very clean and spacious with efficient service. We had a deluxe king, which was ok but the rooms (in particular the bathroom) seemed surprisingly small. If you're going as a couple, a double double might offer more space. Try to get a south facing room on the upper floors - the views are very impressive.
It's a conference hotel, and we were there during two conferences and a wedding. It was very busy and seemed impersonal as a result.
It's about 15 minutes from the Riverwalk, which is an expensive cab ride. On the plus side though, parking at the hotel (non-valet) is free and that's a big saving on a more central hotel.
To be honest, I think the reviews on Tripadvisor heap too much praise on this hotel. As a result, it left me disappointed. Had I not read the reviews, I'd have enjoyed this hotel much more.
Having said that, we plan to stay here again for our next trip to San Antonio. It's excellent value, and does exactly what you'd expect from a luxury hotel chain such as Omni. It delivers on every count, and to a very high standard too.
Poor value for money
by A TripAdvisor Member
We had booked a deal whereby we would get free entry into the 6 flags theme park. On arrival it transpired that this only covered the adults and we would have to pay an additional $80 for the children. Contrary to the previous submission, I felt that children were tolerated, not welcomed.
The room was quite small and extremely dark. The hotel is not in a very good location either. Further from the theme park than I expected, still a good 10 minute drive and about 20 minutes from downtown.
A Good Stay
by A TripAdvisor Member
Perhaps it was because we had checked out of the AWFUL Best Western Suites, Riverwalk where the train literally goes by the hotel every hour on the hour all night long..... but we found the Omni to be a much better experience. The staff was friendly. Our room was small but nice. There were a lot of children there so using the pool facilities was always a challenge. The gym was great. Our room was fairly quiet. Housekeeping could use some improvement and the rooms definitely need an update, but over all it was a good stay. I would recommend it far above other hotels near Riverwalk because of the train noise and noise overall.
Service, Service, Service
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at the omni at the time of fiesta week. I loved it. The first night it was crowded
with teenagers in the pool due to some kind of marching band staying the night. They left
the next day and the pool was emply just for us. The outside pool was cold but they
do have an inside pool that was a lot warmer. And the jacuzzi was just right. My daughter
who 13 wanted to move in to this hotel for good. I also have a 2 yr old who loved the pool.
And the service was great. I had join as a Gold card member and when I got to the room.
I had reserved 2 queen beds but didn't feel the bed was big enough since my baby sleeped between us so she wouldn't fall of the bed . So I called down in the middle of the night and request a king bed. Without hesitation they upgrade my room at no extra charge and had someone come up to take my things to another room. And also supplied more blankets and pillows.
I would recommend this hotel to everyone. Love it!!!!!!!
There is better Service and Value to be had in SA.
by A TripAdvisor Member
The bellman was polite and waiting upon our 11:00 PM arrival. The room was very small and packed full condiments for enjoyment at additional cost (Evian Bottle water $5.50) no floor level vending machines. Very small showers, if you enjoy using the shower curtain for a wash cloth its ok. If you weigh more than 155 lb than avoid the stay. The power, water, plumbing was out all night do to a very bad storm, with no back up generators and located on 16th floor with no elevator we open the well stocked refrigerator (Sprite for scared 2&3 yr. old $2.85). Brush our teeth Evian bottle water @ $5.50? No comps offered from a long night with a 2 & 3 year old. Parking is very bad for hotel guest, there is a known security problem, you are advised to bring in all valuables, but there is no presence of any type security guards in the parking area unlike HEB down the road. But there was plenty of hotel staff to visit with in lobby, notably with bar patrons. The only thing truly upsetting was the doorman choosing to catch the door for an apparently inebriated gentleman leaving the rather than my wife several feet ahead of me with a bag goodies from sea world, sleeping 2 year old, blankets, and all valuable not safe to be left in the car. My self the 3 yr old, laptop, and bag of goodies from wife shopping spree. An Omni is usually good stop but not four star in SA. Mark, DFW
