Omni Mokara Review: Elegant views and excellent service

Looking for a place to stay in San Antonio, Texas that feels like a luxurious getaway? The Omni Mokara Hotel & Spa just might be your pick. This 97-room boutique beauty, perched along the city’s famed River Walk, delivers swoon-worthy views, excellent service and a splash of Southern elegance — even if it could use a tech upgrade or two.

It's part of Omni Hotels & Resorts, meaning you can earn and redeem Omni Credits as part of the Omni Hotel & Resorts Select Guest loyalty program. This smaller hotel brand is known for luxe-meets-livable properties across the U.S. and beyond — and its style doesn’t exactly specialize in subtle. Their hotels tend to lean grand and stately, often loaded with amenities and geared toward both business travelers and vacationers alike. But Omni Mokara is different — and that’s what makes it special.

This property is a more intimate, elevated entry in the Omni portfolio. It doesn’t feel like a giant chain hotel. Instead, it reads as boutique-y, spa-forward, and totally tailored — the kind of place where the front desk remembers your name and the glass of welcome champagne hits exactly right.

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up and gazing down at San Antonio’s slow-moving, tree-lined River Walk from your very own room, book a river view room here. You’ll get a front-row seat to the city’s most charming thoroughfare, complete with the occasional mariachi echoing from below.

You don’t need a car, either. In fact, I recommend skipping one altogether. The city’s walkability is part of the fun — and the hotel’s location puts you just steps from La Villita, the Alamo and tacos at pretty much every turn. Uber rides to and from the airport are quick and affordable, which is good news considering overnight parking here clocks in at a steep $55 (complimentary EV charging softens the blow slightly, if that applies to you).

I stayed in a 400-square-foot river view room with a king bed — and it wasn't just any king bed. Mine had one of those classic, elegant four-poster beds that make you feel like royalty.

The bathrooms are massive, with their own deep soaking tubs and an assortment of soaps, salts and bubble bath to go with it.

I also appreciated the Nespresso machine in the room.

Everything felt upscale in a quiet, Texas kind of way, but — and there is a but — it's notably more Old World than new tech. Don’t expect USB ports tucked conveniently everywhere. It’s not dated enough to feel dusty, just more “traditional luxury” than “tech-savvy traveler.” Still, if you care more about bathtubs than Bluetooth, you’ll be more than content.

Speaking of tubs, if your in-room soak didn’t cut it, head to the full-service Mokara Spa, where hotel guests can indulge in a whirlpool, eucalyptus-infused steam room, and cedar sauna — all totally complimentary.

Treatments like massages and facials cost extra, of course, but access to the luxe amenities is yours just for booking a room. That’s rare, and kind of magical.

While I didn’t get a chance to sit down for a proper meal at the hotel’s restaurant, the lobby had a strong free snack game. A steady stream of crisp apples and fresh-baked cookies tempted me every time I passed through. Add in the welcome glass of bubbly at check-in and the whole hotel experience felt delightfully elevated without even trying.

There are just 97 rooms and two suites here, which might be why the service felt so next-level. The front desk staffer remembered my name throughout my stay — a small detail, sure, but one that made it feel like I was at an exclusive inn rather than just another upscale chain. It’s that kind of service that makes you feel like a VIP even when you’re just wandering back from a day of sightseeing.

If you want a big, glossy resort with rooftop parties and trendy TikTok bars, this isn’t your place. But if you’re looking for a quiet, luxurious oasis with riverfront charm, spa perks galore and cookies on cue, then the Omni Mokara is your move.

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