El Tropicano, San Antonio, TX (hotel) - Locating Tiki

H Hulacat Member Austin, Texas Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 18	H Hulacat Posted posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008 10:59 AM Here are some photographs of El Tropicano. Front of El Tropicano Long view Front Lobby Carved masks above the Front Desk Another Lobby view Courtesy Phones Entering Tiki Bar Tiki images above the Bar Tiki Bar Some samples of the unique art pieces located in niches throughout the Lobby: Our visit to El Tropicano was a lot of fun. I only wish we had taken more pictures as there was a lot to see. The hotel is huge! The general ambiance and multi-million $ revamp of the old Hilton was impressive. The designers' interpretation of "tiki" was done with a minimalist touch and a Latin flavor. Though there were several large events (wedding and a class reunion) going on in another part of the hotel, the inside Tiki Bar located off the lobby was a quiet and cool oasis. We ordered Mai Tais and listened to a couple of local musicians do an entertaining job of covering a variety of songs. The drinks were no Trader Vic's gems, but they passed muster. The hotel surrounds a large outdoor pool area including a second Tiki Bar with bamboo and palapas details. The bar was not open while we were there. The guest rooms were clean, modern and comfortable with no noticeable tropical touches. We requested a poolside room, but ended up with one that was closer to the bar as opposed to the pool. Ultimately, the room location was fine as the pool was a popular spot. Things quieted down at dinner time, then the action picked back up with late-night partying-splish splash, baby! The hotel advertised poolside retro cinema at dusk. We spotted an inflatable screen on the roof overlooking the pool, but no films were shown during our visit, reportedly because of "windy conditions." The hotel staff, from the front desk to the bar, the coffee bar and the restaurant were all very friendly and accommodating. The food at the restaurant was tasty and fresh, as was the coffee bar fare. Room rates were mid-range and negotiable to some extent-in advance. They were certainly priced less than similar hotels located directly on the main part of River Walk. We definitely plan on going back to El Tropicano! [ Edited by: Hulacat 2008-04-22 12:45 ] [ Edited by: Hulacat 2008-04-22 17:29 ]

Here are some photographs of El Tropicano.

Front of El Tropicano

Long view

Front Lobby

Carved masks above the Front Desk

Another Lobby view

Courtesy Phones

Entering Tiki Bar

Tiki images above the Bar

Tiki Bar

Some samples of the unique art pieces located in niches throughout the Lobby:

Our visit to El Tropicano was a lot of fun. I only wish we had taken more pictures as there was a lot to see. The hotel is huge! The general ambiance and multi-million $ revamp of the old Hilton was impressive. The designers' interpretation of "tiki" was done with a minimalist touch and a Latin flavor. Though there were several large events (wedding and a class reunion) going on in another part of the hotel, the inside Tiki Bar located off the lobby was a quiet and cool oasis. We ordered Mai Tais and listened to a couple of local musicians do an entertaining job of covering a variety of songs. The drinks were no Trader Vic's gems, but they passed muster.

The hotel surrounds a large outdoor pool area including a second Tiki Bar with bamboo and palapas details. The bar was not open while we were there. The guest rooms were clean, modern and comfortable with no noticeable tropical touches. We requested a poolside room, but ended up with one that was closer to the bar as opposed to the pool. Ultimately, the room location was fine as the pool was a popular spot. Things quieted down at dinner time, then the action picked back up with late-night partying-splish splash, baby!

The hotel advertised poolside retro cinema at dusk. We spotted an inflatable screen on the roof overlooking the pool, but no films were shown during our visit, reportedly because of "windy conditions." The hotel staff, from the front desk to the bar, the coffee bar and the restaurant were all very friendly and accommodating. The food at the restaurant was tasty and fresh, as was the coffee bar fare. Room rates were mid-range and negotiable to some extent-in advance. They were certainly priced less than similar hotels located directly on the main part of River Walk. We definitely plan on going back to El Tropicano!

[ Edited by: Hulacat 2008-04-22 12:45 ]

[ Edited by: Hulacat 2008-04-22 17:29 ]

Post #375340 by Hulacat on Tue, Apr 22, 2008 10:59 AM