Mokara Hotel & Spa

There’s more to San Antonio than just the Alamo. Deep in the heart of Texas though it may be, the Mokara Hotel & Spa is an international-caliber luxury hotel, the sort of place any substantial American city needs one of: business-friendly enough for CEOs and traveling salesmen, and plush enough (see the 17,000-square-foot spa) for leisure guests as well.

The Mokara occupies a restored 19th-century building along San Antonio’s redeveloped Riverwalk, the charming waterfront promenade that’s quickly become one of the city’s main attractions. Inside it’s refreshingly light on Texas kitsch — there’s leather and wood, to be sure, but the calming clean lines and muted cream palette recall the Asian-inspired minimalism of the modern international luxury hotel.

With 19 treatment rooms the spa is a serious affair, and the rooftop pool and cafe are an unexpected oasis in the heart of a sun-drenched city. Meanwhile down on the Riverwalk is the restaurant, Pesca on the River, serving some of the finest fresh seafood in town. If it’s Tex-Mex cuisine and Lone Star nostalgia you’re after, you’ll have no trouble finding it elsewhere in town — the Mokara shows off a more cosmopolitan side to Texas.