San with a Plan: It’s as Fun a Time as Ever to visit San Antonio

San with a Plan: It’s as Fun a Time as Ever to visit San Antonio

The adjoining AC by Marriott and Element by Westin hotels, a block from the River Walk

A VIBRANT DESTINATION any time of the year, San Antonio is especially exciting in October, leading up to weekend-long Dia de Los Muertos celebrations all over town. A river parade and special events in the La Villita Historic Village are among the festivities Oct. 27-29. Walkability is key, as ever — and two new Marriott properties have just opened in the heart of the River Walk, ensuring an easy trip for all.


The adjoining hotels, AC by Marriott and Element by Westin, are located on Soledad at Commerce; each offers a tasty breakfast buffet, and there’s a rooftop bar with bites, brunch and unbeatable skyline views.

The River Walk itself offers plenty of tourist-trappy fun (especially for families), but hop over to Hemisfair for more park and garden spaces, plus trendy eats like Box St. All Day. Farther east, find a more sophisticated take on the city’s mariachi-and-margaritas vibe at still-new Carriqui, with South Texas-inspired fare.

People + Places

Gabriela Bucio at Mala Vida Paradise

ONE OF THE fastest-growing hospitality groups in Texas, Gabriela’s Group opened its newest project, Mala Vida Paradise, in EaDo over the weekend. The group also has a Houston eatery planned to bow later this year, dubbed Gabriela’s Midtown.

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Riojas, center, with models in his new Ethereal Blooms line

LAST YEAR, TO celebrate his 40th birthday, Mexico-born, Houston-based fashion designer Alvin Alan Ramírez Riojas made a pilgrimage to the city of San Miguel de Allende, one of the cultural capitals of Mexico. The experience was profound, even spiritual. “When I observed the happiness, the friendly people, the churches, the flowers in every door…” says Riojas, “I thought, ‘I’m going to play with this.’” The vibrancy of San Miguel de Allende’s culture is the inspiration for Ethereal Blooms, Riojas’ new couture collection for men and women, which he will present on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Sawyer Yards in Sabine Street Studios.

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