Omni La Mansión del Rio in San Antonio revealed its multimillion-dollar guestroom and suite renovations in spring 2020. This new and improved makeover has solidified the hotel’s status as a cornerstone of San Antonio.

“We were inspired by the rich history of the building and how we could create an authentic Riverwalk Retreat,” said Laura McKoy, creative director/VP, interior design, Omni Hotels & Resorts. “The hotel is very charming and we want the guestroom design to continue to highlight the charm and uniqueness that cannot be duplicated. Further, we converted the bathtubs to showers, giving the bathroom light and space by removing the bulky shower curtain.”

Omni La Mansión del Rio is a historic property that dates back to 1852 and has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2010. The hotel is unique in appeal, blending Spanish colonial architecture and European style and surrounds guests with the romance, grace and charm of a grand hacienda.

“The hotel was originally St Mary’s College in the early 1900s, and we tell this story through a collage of artwork in each guestroom,” McKoy said. “We also felt like the city of San Antonio has many layers of history and we wanted the hotel room to feel like it was collected over time. The carved wood dressers, patterns and textures of the fabrics and finishes celebrate an artisan craft that guests will see throughout San Antonio. The fresh crisp linens are a juxtaposition to all of the design layers, and create a rest for the eye and the body. The art in the bathroom is a commissioned piece of art that is a modern interpretation of the San Antonio River.”

The hotel’s 300 luxury guestrooms and 38 suites that were renovated celebrate the romance and history of the River Walk in picturesque downtown San Antonio, the nation’s second-oldest city. Taking inspiration from the rich history of the property, the overall design created by Michael Dalton of White Space Interiors maintains the originality of the existing building while adding brand new amenities that charm guests during their stay.

“The wood ceiling beams and brick walls are original to the architecture of the building. They exude warmth and classic style. A lot of the rooms have balconies to enjoy the Riverwalk,” McKoy said.

The scope of work from the renovations:

• New beds and conversion of most full-size beds to queen-size beds
• New nightstands, dresser, lounge chair with ottoman, desk/table and chair, artwork, carpeting and new lighting fixtures
• New 49” high-definition television in standard guestrooms, 55” high-definition television in ambassador suites
• New television system with high-definition channels and movies. Includes the ability to cast from personal devices directly onto the television
• New WiFi internet system for guest use
• New RFID door lock system
• New air conditioning unit in each guestroom
• Fresh paint throughout
• Conversion of bathtubs into walk-in showers and installation of bathtubs in a select number of two-bed guestrooms
• New marble top vanity
• New patterned floor tile
• New mirror and lighting fixtures
• New bathroom plumbing fixture

In addition to the amenities, select rooms feature balconies with sweeping views of the famous River Walk while others offer views of the lush courtyard, reminiscent of a European garden with native foliage and dancing water fountains.

“The design stay true to Omni by celebrating the city and the location of the hotel,” McKoy said. “It was important the rooms maintained the historic charm but also had all of the modern amenities that our guests expect.”

Discover the fascinating history of Omni La Mansión del Rio and book your stay!
Read the full article from Inspire Design here.

About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.