Westin Riverside,San Antonio,TX

[drron]

Arrived here at about 1930.Had booked a junior suite as it is the start of the San Antonio festival and a lot of accommodation booked,the rest expensive.The junior suite was only slightly more expensive than an ordinary room.Got the usual spiel-you have been upgraded to a junior suite with keys in the upgrade wallet.Only problem we were allocated a junior suite on the lowest floor,an accessible room and no view of the river.Certainly not an upgrade.Apart from that the room was good with 1 major problem-the bathtub was filthy-

The bathroom-

The room-

So I rang the front desk and after some time it was agreed we would be moved-this time to a much higher floor and a view of the river.Asked for our luggage to be mooved.Porter arrives a few minutes later with our new keys in a Gold Spg wallet-Hmmph.He also has not been told of us wanting luggage to be mooved.We go to new room and wait another 20 minutes for our luggage.
In the new room the in room safe was inoperable.Rang the front desk and asked for it to be put on list for repair tomorrow.The next day dropped by the front desk on the way out and reminded them of the need to have the inroom safe fixed.Got back that evening and nothing had been done.So on the way out next morning I again visited the front desk and reminded them of the problem but also left a letter for the GM.
Yes getting back that afternoon nothing had been done about the safe but there was a message from the GM's personal Assistant giving me his extension number.
I rang and the stay immediately got better.Giuven a complimentary dinner plus a bottle of wine in the restaurant-Vocca.It was really great Italian food and from the menu the prices(if we had been paying were reasonable).I would reccomend it.The GM also spontaneously offered 5000 starpoints which I accepted.The problem was resolved to my satisfaction because of the actions of the GM-the time of the phone call from his PA was about an hour after we dropped the letter of at the front desk.
So it is a nice hotel.Front desk need a shake up(and housekeeping).If any problems contact the GM.

 

[cove]

Your persisting has really paid off.It doesnt seem to work in New York
I loved one of your posts dealing with a black belt MrsD and her outlet mall black belt abilities.
If she locates something in San Antonio let me know as one of my short arms partners is going there in November.
Enjoy the Riverwalk and the Alamo.

 

[drron]

Kagitower the good word on shopping near San antonio will be my next post,promise!

 

[cove]

My short arms friend will be at an exhibition so any thoughts on shops and dining in San Antonio will be appreciated.He will be at a conference hotel which is the Marriott close to the Riverwalk.

 

[Walter Plinge]

My short arms friend will be at an exhibition so any thoughts on shops and dining in San Antonio will be appreciated.He will be at a conference hotel which is the Marriott close to the Riverwalk.

The most famous restaurant on the Riverwalk is Casa Rio, established in 1946. Great Tex-Mex food at reasonable prices. It's popular. There are queues at peak times. I can recommend it from personal experience in 2008.

The main tourist attraction in San Antonio is The Alamo. Very much worth seeing. The Alamo is to Texas what the Eureka Stockade is to Victoria, multiplied by 10. Like Eureka it was a bloody debacle for the defenders.

The San Antonio craft market is worth a visit -- there is a $2 tourist bus from outside the Marriott. Think Victoria Market but Tex-Mex. Inexpensive leathergoods.

At the market La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar is lovely and good value.

There are frequent cruises up and down Riverwalk -- about $10 each I think. These give a potted history and a look at all the Riverwalk sights and attractions. The ticket booth is at the Riverwalk exit from the Marriott.

 

[cove]

Thanks Walter I will pass it on to short arms.
Actually when our company folk travel for business internationally we dont put the mockers on accommodation,meals and entertainment expenses.
We really value getting together with international customers an suppliers.
We use 192,000 points to go business class or 288,000 to go first class on the long haul across the big ditch by booking early for a planned trip.