For as long as I can remember, I’ve had the biggest, baddest travel bug. Exploring new places, eating meals in different settings, and breathing in unfamiliar air – I just can’t get enough. So when I found out Haven’s third birthday {my boyfriend’s daughter} fell on an event-free weekend, I suggested we celebrate on the road.

San Antonio is a quick 90-minute drive from Austin, which is perfect for a 3 year old’s {and 33 year old’s} attention span. We planned a simple itinerary, packed up the car with presents, and headed to the St. Anthony Hotel in Downtown San Antonio.

With an unassuming exterior, the St. Anthony quickly transformed into the most beautiful, elegant space the moment you passed through the front door. Green and gray {my two favorite colors} were dominant throughout. And there were no less than fifty chairs that were so cozy, so inviting, that you longed to plant yourself and take an extended seat.

Thankfully there was also a cozy seat in our room, because Miss Haven was in the biggest hurry to open presents. After all, they had spent an entire 90 minutes looking at her during the ride. We opened a row of gray, floor-length drapes to let in some light. And then she eagerly plopped herself up on the wingback chair to see what year three was all about.

The weather had been gloomy all day, but decided to clear up just in time for an early dinner on the patio. And a very shy Haven warmed up quickly after a handful of hotel staff wished her the happiest birthday.

Following typical blogger suit, we requested menu items that were as photogenic as they were delicious and went the small plate route in order to maximize our exposure to the menu. The dishes I liked best included the watermelon salad pictured above.

We’re in the final days of watermelon season and warm weather, so I was happy to have one last hurrah of a watermelon dish. Watermelon and feta is always a winning combination. And this dish inspired me to look for ways to incorporate sumac into my cooking at home.

Next up was ricotta and broccolini pancakes. Not only do I love, love, love savory pancakes, I really liked how this dish was predominantly vegetarian topped with a meat accent.

And the octopus! Filled with texture and vibrant colors, this dish was my favorite to photograph. And when it was time to eat, I was pleased with how tender the octopus was as well as how it paired with the pesto.

We had plans to walk the Riverwalk after dinner, but since the weather wasn’t cooperating we headed back to the room to play with new toys and called it a night.

The next morning we took it easy and ordered room service. Pancakes for the birthday girl, steak and eggs for Kody, and steel cut oats for me. This steel cut oats was another dish that sparked inspiration for me at home. How fun would it be to have some girlfriends over for a breakfast get-together with an oatmeal bar?

After a leisurely breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning touring the hotel. I can’t tell you enough how perfectly each room was decorated. The hotel went through a major renovation beginning in 2013 and they did such a wonderful job preserving the historic elements of the original design.

It was too dreary to spend extended time by the pool, but the rooftop pool deck would be worth coming back for. A super crisp and clean design with gorgeous views of the surrounding historic buildings. The lounge chairs were also partially submerged in water which, if you’re familiar Texas heat, couldn’t be more perfect for summertime sunbathing.

We ended our tour with a visit to the Sky Terrace, which was BEAUTIFUL. The hotel is currently working on programming for the space, but could you imagine a sunset concert series or a cocktail hour lounging on this deck?

Overall, our quick stay at the St. Anthony Hotel was a delightful escape from our daily routine. I look forward to coming back to visit my newest favorite hotel in Texas and exploring more of San Antonio soon!

Disclosure: Although the St. Anthony Hotel kindly hosted us, the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.