San Antonio’s Riverwalk runs for 15 miles, but the stretch that draws visitors is about a mile long, and nearly every hotel on it will tell you the same story. What they won’t all tell you is that a handful have rooftop pools sitting 10, 15, even 22 floors above the river, with views that make the crowded walkway below look like a postcard. Some lean into spa luxury, some into sharp design, a few into straight-up value, but all give you somewhere worth ending up after a day on your feet in the Texas heat. Pick your pool, pick your floor, and the rest tends to sort itself out.
Table of Contents
San Antonio Riverwalk Hotels
| 1. Mokara Hotel & Spa Best Spa Pool Combo Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: 1-minute walk to the River Walk Guest Reviews: Heated rooftop pool, 17,000 sq ft spa, marble spa baths in every room, Ostra oyster bar Best Room: Suite (River Walk) Price: From USD $270 – $400 per night |
| 2. Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Highest Rooftop Pool Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: 2-minute walk to the Alamo, directly on the River Walk Guest Reviews: Highest rooftop pool in downtown San Antonio, direct Alamo access, floor-to-ceiling river views, full-service spa Best Room: Regency, Suite Price: From USD $185 – $350 per night |
| 3. Hotel Contessa Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: Directly on the River Walk, 7-minute walk to the Alamo Guest Reviews: All-suite rooms with separate living areas, rooftop pool with cabanas, full-service spa, Ambler restaurant on the riverfront Best Room: Riverview King Suite Price: From USD $150 – $300 per night |
| 4. Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk Best Historic Pool Setting Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: 5-minute walk to the River Walk, between downtown and Southtown Guest Reviews: Tallest luxury open-air rooftop in San Antonio, historic schoolhouse suites with exposed brick and freestanding tubs, Dean’s steakhouse on site, free bicycles for guests Best Room: Luxury Suite, 1 Double Bed (Historic) Price: From USD $200 – $350 per night |
| 5. Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk Best Pool Bar Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: Directly on the North River Walk, 8-minute walk to the main Riverwalk entertainment stretch and the Alamo Guest Reviews: Rooftop Cenote pool deck with private cabanas, Landrace restaurant with wood-fired Texas cuisine, full-service spa with sauna and steam room, art gallery throughout the property Best Room: Studio Suite, 1 King Bed Price: From USD $215 – $380 per night |
| 6. Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk Best Value Rooftop Pool Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Location: Directly on the River Walk, 5-minute walk to the Alamo Guest Reviews: Rooftop pool on the 22nd floor with 360-degree city views, free hot breakfast included daily, free evening drinks and hot food at the 5:30 Kickback, historic 24-story bank building with 50-foot lobby ceilings Best Room: Deluxe Two-Room Suite Price: From USD $150 – $280 per night |
| 7. Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: 5-minute walk to the River Walk, directly connected to the Henry B. González Convention Center Guest Reviews: Heated rooftop pool with sun deck and seasonal pool bar, arcade and games room, Ruth’s Chris Steak House on site, 1,003 rooms across 24 floors with floor-to-ceiling city views Best Room: Executive Suite |
| 8. InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG Hotel with River Taxi Access Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Location: On the River Walk between downtown and the Pearl District, 5-minute walk to the River Walk, 10-minute walk to the Alamo Guest Reviews: Indoor/outdoor rooftop pool 50 feet above the city with cabanas, private river taxi landing at the hotel, Club InterContinental lounge with breakfast and evening service for suite guests, 2026 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award winner Best Room: Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View Price: From USD $180 – $320 per night |
How the Pools Actually Compare
The eight rooftop pools on this list sit at different heights, serve different crowds, and deliver very different experiences once you’re up there. Before booking on price alone, it’s worth knowing what you’re actually getting above the river.
- Mokara Hotel & Spa — The smallest pool on this list, and deliberately so. This is an adults-focused, calm-water experience on the rooftop of San Antonio’s only Forbes 4-Star hotel, with a heated pool open 7am–10pm year-round and a Rooftop Café serving cocktails and light plates directly poolside. The 17,000 sq ft Mokara Spa sits in the same building, making this the only property where a massage, steam room, and rooftop swim are all part of the same visit. Sits directly on the busiest stretch of the River Walk, with the Alamo a 5-minute walk.
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk — Confirmed by the hotel as the tallest rooftop pool deck in downtown San Antonio, open 6am–10pm year-round and heated in cooler months. Free cabanas on a first-come basis, sun loungers, and sweeping views of the Alamo and city skyline. The pool is large enough to handle the hotel’s 629 rooms without feeling cramped on most weekdays, though weekends and Fiesta week (April) see heavier use. Directly on the River Walk with direct access to the Alamo via the Paseo del Alamo walkway — the most central location of any hotel on this list.
- Hotel Contessa — Heated rooftop pool with cabanas, open 8am–10pm, on a quieter stretch of the River Walk just west of the main entertainment mile. The pool atmosphere is relaxed rather than social — fewer families than the Hyatt Regency or Grand Hyatt, more couples and solo travellers. All 265 rooms are suites, so the pool tends to draw a quieter crowd. A spa and poolside bar are both on site. Seven-minute walk to the Alamo.
- Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk — The largest pool deck on this list by outdoor footprint, and the one that draws the most design attention. The Kimpton markets this as the tallest luxury open-air rooftop in San Antonio — a claim that refers to open-air space rather than pure altitude, since the Hyatt Regency pool sits higher. Private cabanas available to reserve. The Tenfold Rooftop bar sits adjacent. The pool overlooks the hotel’s 19th-century schoolhouse courtyard on one side and the San Antonio skyline on the other. Not directly on the River Walk — a 5-minute walk to the water — but positioned between downtown and Southtown, which makes it better placed for the Pearl District and the King William neighbourhood than the hotels further north.
- Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk — The Cenote Pool Deck on the 4th floor is the most design-forward pool experience on this list. Chic cabanas, Cenote Nests (round sunbeds with partial shade), an alfresco pool bar, and food available from Landrace Restaurant below. Pool is on the smaller side but the deck itself is generous. The Moon’s Daughters rooftop bar sits separately on the 20th floor — the only property on this list with both a dedicated pool deck and a separate rooftop bar above it. Sits on the North River Walk near the Tobin Center and San Antonio Museum of Art, about 8 minutes walk to the busiest bar-and-restaurant stretch.
- Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk — The only hotel on this list with both a rooftop pool and a separate indoor pool. The outdoor rooftop pool and two whirlpools sit on the 22nd floor of a 24-story former bank building — not the tallest pool deck in San Antonio, but close, with genuine 360-degree city views. Open 9am–10pm. The indoor pool in the San Fernando Tower runs separately and is usually quieter. Free hot breakfast and the 5:30 Kickback evening drinks-and-food reception are included in every rate — the only hotel on this list where meals are part of the deal. Directly on the River Walk, with a private entrance from the waterway level.
- Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk — Heated rooftop pool with sun deck, seasonal pool bar, and panoramic city views. The pool is well-sized for a 1,003-room hotel and the deck has good lounger capacity. A 5-minute walk from the River Walk rather than sitting directly on it — the hotel connects to the Henry B. González Convention Center, so it draws a higher proportion of conference guests than the other properties here. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is directly adjacent, which makes this the most family-oriented pool environment on the list.
- InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG — The newest pool on this list, opened August 2024. Sits 50 feet above the city on the 3rd floor of a 21-story building, described by the hotel as an indoor/outdoor rooftop pool. High Praise bar sits directly adjacent, open Thursday–Sunday. Cabanas available to reserve. The hotel’s private river taxi landing sits at street level, making it the only property here with direct boat access to the rest of the Riverwalk. Positioned between downtown and the Pearl District, with a 5-minute walk to the river and 10 minutes to the Alamo.
Fees to Know Before You Book
The nightly rate is rarely the full cost at these hotels. Destination fees, resort fees, and valet charges add meaningfully to what you’ll actually pay — and the differences across this list are significant enough to affect which hotel represents genuine value.
- Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk — No resort or destination fee. Free hot breakfast and 5:30 Kickback evening food and drinks included in every rate. Valet parking approximately $36/night. The only hotel on this list where meals are genuinely included rather than added as a fee credit.
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk — $25/night destination fee applies to each room. Valet parking available; self-parking also available at a lower rate. The fee covers amenities including pool access, which is otherwise open to all guests.
- Hotel Contessa — Daily destination fee applies, covering Wi-Fi, fitness centre, rooftop pool access, and business services. Valet parking $59/night with in-and-out access. No self-parking on property, though public garages are nearby.
- Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk — Valet parking $61/night. No resort fee cited publicly, but confirm current charges at booking as these can change. Suite stays include Club InterContinental-style lounge access with breakfast and evening service.
- Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk — Valet parking available; rates vary. Cabanas on the Cenote Pool Deck are available at an additional charge and worth reserving in advance for summer visits.
- Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk — Valet parking $49/night. Self-parking also available. No destination fee cited publicly; confirm at booking.
- InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG — $25/night amenity fee (confirmed via FlyerTalk forum, subject to change). Covers a $25 daily food and beverage credit valid at all four on-site venues, two daily water bottles, a $20 laundry credit, complimentary house car drop-off within 2 miles, and discounts at local attractions. Valet parking $60/night. Suite stays include Club InterContinental lounge access with breakfast and evening refreshments.
- Mokara Hotel & Spa — Valet parking approximately $59/night. Spa treatments are not included in room rates and are priced separately, though all guests receive complimentary access to the spa’s dry cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and whirlpool.
Confirm all fees directly at time of booking — destination and resort fees are subject to change and may not be reflected in third-party listing prices.
When to Go
San Antonio sits in South Texas, which means summers are genuinely hot — July and August regularly hit 100°F or above. The rooftop pools on this list are all heated and open year-round, so the question isn’t whether you can swim, it’s whether you’ll want to be outside doing it.
- March to May — The best window for rooftop pool use. Temperatures sit comfortably in the 70s–80s°F, evenings cool down, and the pools are far less crowded than summer. The one complication is April: Fiesta San Antonio, a 10-day citywide festival, falls in mid-to-late April and is one of the largest events in Texas. Hotel rates across this list spike significantly during Fiesta week, availability tightens fast, and the pools and River Walk are at their busiest. Book 2–3 months ahead if your dates overlap with Fiesta.
- June to August — Peak summer. Pools are busy, rates are elevated on weekends, and spending extended time on a rooftop in the midday sun requires planning. Morning swims (before 10am) and evening sessions (after 6pm) are far more comfortable than midday. The Drury Plaza’s 22nd-floor pool is notably more exposed to wind than the lower-elevation pools, which can be a relief in summer heat or a nuisance on gusty days.
- September to November — The second sweet spot. Temperatures drop into the 80s by September and the 70s by October. Crowds thin, rates ease after the summer peak, and the River Walk shifts to a more local pace. October and November are increasingly popular for weekend visits — book ahead for those months.
- December to February — Pools are heated and remain open, but cold fronts push through regularly and rooftop exposure means wind chill matters. The Drury Plaza’s indoor pool comes into its own here. Christmas and New Year’s see a rate spike across downtown. January and February are the quietest and cheapest months on the Riverwalk by a clear margin.
Using These Pools Without Staying
Several hotels on this list sell day passes, making the rooftop pool accessible without booking a room. This is worth knowing whether you’re a San Antonio local, a visitor staying elsewhere, or someone who wants to sample a pool before committing to a multi-night stay.
- InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk — Day passes available through ResortPass. Cabana rentals also available, which include complimentary valet for four. Check ResortPass for current pricing and availability, as capacity is limited and summer weekends book up quickly.
- Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk — Day passes available through ResortPass for the rooftop pool deck. One of the most popular day-pass options in downtown San Antonio given the pool size and the Tenfold bar access.
- Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk — Pool access is restricted to registered hotel guests. No day passes available.
- Mokara Hotel & Spa — Spa day packages are available to non-guests and can include rooftop pool access alongside treatments. Contact the spa directly for current packages, as these are not listed on ResortPass.
- Hyatt Regency, Hotel Contessa, Thompson, Grand Hyatt — Pool access is reserved for hotel guests. Cabanas at the Thompson can be reserved in advance by guests; non-guest cabana access is not offered outside of special events.
Day pass availability and pricing change seasonally. Always confirm directly.
Practical Logistics
- Getting there — San Antonio International Airport is approximately 12–15 minutes by car or rideshare from any hotel on this list. There is no direct rail link from the airport to downtown. Rideshare costs approximately $20–$30 each way depending on traffic and surge pricing. If you plan to use rideshare throughout your stay, a car is unnecessary — every hotel on this list sits within walking distance of the main Riverwalk, the Alamo, and most downtown attractions.
- Parking — None of the hotels on this list offer free parking. Valet runs $36–$61/night depending on property. The Drury Plaza is the most affordable valet option on the list. Public parking garages in downtown San Antonio run $10–$20/day and are available near most properties — a meaningful saving over hotel valet if you’re staying multiple nights.
- Pets — The most pet-permissive hotels on this list are the Kimpton Santo (all pets accepted, no restrictions on breed, size, or quantity, with a per-stay cleaning fee) and the Drury Plaza (pets welcome, $50/night fee, limit two pets up to 80 lbs combined). The Hyatt Regency accepts dogs up to 50 lbs with a $100 non-refundable fee. The InterContinental accepts pets with a $75 cleaning fee per stay. The Thompson is noted by guests as particularly pet-friendly, providing dog beds and bowls. The Mokara, Hotel Contessa, and Grand Hyatt each accept pets with varying restrictions — confirm directly at booking.
- Accessibility — All hotels on this list have lifts to rooftop pool levels. The Drury Plaza’s rooftop pool and indoor pool both have accessible entry lifts. The InterContinental and Hyatt Regency both have accessible room options adjacent to pool floors. Confirm specific accessibility requirements directly with the property.
- Do you need a car? — No, if you’re staying at the Mokara, Hyatt Regency, Hotel Contessa, or Drury Plaza — all sit directly on the main River Walk mile and put the Alamo, Market Square, and dozens of restaurants within a 10-minute walk. The Thompson and InterContinental are 8–10 minutes from the busiest stretch, making them workable on foot but slightly further from the action. The Kimpton Santo is the furthest from the main River Walk entertainment strip, positioned closer to Hemisfair and Southtown — a short rideshare to the Alamo if you don’t want to walk 10–12 minutes. The Grand Hyatt connects directly to the convention centre and is a 5-minute walk to the river.
FAQs
1. Which rooftop pool is the highest in San Antonio?
The Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk confirms on its own website that its pool deck is the tallest downtown rooftop pool in San Antonio. The Kimpton Santo markets itself as the tallest luxury open-air rooftop, which refers to the overall rooftop space rather than pool altitude specifically. The Drury Plaza’s pool sits on the 22nd floor of a 24-story building and is genuinely close to the top of the downtown skyline.
2. Are the rooftop pools open year-round?
All eight pools on this list are heated and open year-round. Hours vary by property — most run from 6am or 7am to 10pm daily. The Drury Plaza’s indoor pool runs separately and provides a useful alternative when the 22nd-floor deck is exposed to cold fronts in winter.
3. Are any of the pools adults-only?
None of the hotels on this list officially designates their rooftop pool as adults-only. In practice, the Mokara and Hotel Contessa pools see very few children given their boutique positioning and suite-only room stock. The Grand Hyatt and Drury Plaza are the most family-oriented pool environments and can be busy with children on summer weekends.
4. How far in advance should I book during Fiesta San Antonio?
Fiesta San Antonio typically falls in mid-to-late April across a 10-day period. Rates across this list rise sharply and availability at the more popular properties — particularly the Hyatt Regency and Hotel Contessa — can be limited 6–8 weeks out. If your dates overlap with Fiesta, book as early as possible. If you want the rooftop pool experience without Fiesta pricing, early March or late May offer similar weather at standard rates.
5. Can I use these pools without being a hotel guest?
The InterContinental and Kimpton Santo both sell day passes through ResortPass. The Mokara offers non-guest access through spa day packages. The remaining five hotels restrict pool access to registered guests. See the day passes section above for detail.
6. Which hotel is best for families who want a rooftop pool?
The Grand Hyatt and Drury Plaza are the strongest family options. The Grand Hyatt has an on-site arcade room and LEGOLAND Discovery Center next door. The Drury Plaza includes free breakfast, has both a rooftop and an indoor pool, and offers the best overall value on this list. The Hyatt Regency is also family-friendly with direct River Walk and Alamo access, though its pool can get busy on summer weekends.
7. What are the parking costs, and is free parking available?
No hotel on this list offers free parking. Valet ranges from approximately $36/night at the Drury Plaza to $61/night at the Kimpton Santo. Public garages in downtown San Antonio are available near all properties for significantly less — typically $10–$20/day. If you’re staying multiple nights, public parking represents a meaningful saving. Confirm current valet rates directly with each property before arrival as these change.
8. Which hotel on the River Walk has the best rooftop pool for couples?
The Mokara is the most consistently recommended for couples — small, calm, adults-in-practice, with spa bath in every room and the Ostra oyster bar below. The Thompson’s Cenote deck is the most atmospherically designed and draws strong reviews for its evening cabana experience. The Kimpton Santo’s schoolhouse courtyard views add a setting that none of the other pools can match.
9. Do these hotels charge resort fees on top of the room rate?
Several do. The Hyatt Regency and InterContinental both charge approximately $25/night in destination fees. Hotel Contessa charges a daily destination fee. The Drury Plaza charges no resort or destination fee and includes breakfast and evening food and drinks in the base rate. Always check the total price including fees before booking, as third-party listing prices do not always reflect these charges.
