9 Hotels Near San Antonio's River Walk With Free Parking

Leave room in the budget for dinner. These nearby stays list free parking, with a few rules worth knowing before you drive in.

La Quinta Inn and Suites San Antonio Downtown illuminated at night
La Quinta Inn and Suites San Antonio Downtown illuminated at night. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts / Official website

By Diego Salinas, Staff Writer

7 min read

Fact-checked by our editorsPublished Updated

The Short Answer

Start with La Quinta Downtown for a simple one-car stay. Candlewood Suites adds a kitchen for longer trips. La Quinta Market Square is useful if Market Square is on your list as well as the River Walk.

A hotel rate can look great until parking gets its own line on the bill. These nine stays list free guest parking near downtown San Antonio.

Most sit outside the main River Walk restaurant loop. You’ll trade a front-row river address for a lower parking cost, and you may still want a ride to dinner. Check the route to your actual destination and compare the full trip cost. Free parking is usually for registered guests during the stay, not a place to leave the car after checkout.

At a Glance

The top of the ranking, side by side. Scroll sideways on a phone for price and rating.

Compare the 9 picks, locations and key features.
#PlaceCityKnown forPriceRating
1La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio DowntownSan AntonioA straightforward downtown baseCheck dates–
2Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio Rivercenter Area by IHGSan AntonioA base near the AlamodomeCheck dates–
3La Hacienda Inn near Alamodome & RiverwalkSan AntonioA small inn east of downtownCheck dates–
4Best Western Alamo SuitesSan AntonioA suite with parking and breakfastCheck dates–
5Candlewood Suites San Antonio Downtown by IHGSan AntonioA longer stay with a kitchenCheck dates–
6Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio-Dtwn Market Area by IHGSan AntonioA Market Area suite stayCheck dates–
7La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Antonio Market SquareSan AntonioA stay beside Market SquareCheck dates–
8City View Inn & SuitesSan AntonioA small hotel near Sunset StationCheck dates–
9River Inn MotelSan AntonioA simple motel with an outdoor lotCheck dates–

How We Chose Them

We checked official hotel pages and current Booking.com property listings on September 20, 2026. La Hacienda and Cityview parking details come from those booking listings. These are desk-researched picks, not reports from hotel stays.

  1. A clear reason to go. Each pick should offer something useful for this kind of trip.
  2. The details that change your plan. We checked the named room or site, then kept the limits close to the perks.

Confirm parking terms with the property for your dates, vehicle and room. Compare the final room price plus any rides or downtown parking.

Our 9 picks

  1. No. 1: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio Downtown

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    Free parking for one car per room, plus breakfast.

    La Quinta Inn and Suites San Antonio Downtown illuminated at night
    La Quinta Inn and Suites San Antonio Downtown illuminated at night. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts / Official website

    La Quinta Downtown is a useful first price check for a car trip. The hotel includes parking for one car per room and a free breakfast. An outdoor pool gives the family something to do between city outings.

    Be sure you’re looking at the Downtown hotel. La Quinta has other San Antonio hotels with different parking rules, including one named Riverwalk. This one isn’t right on the water. Map the walk to your dinner plans, especially in hot weather, and ask about a second car before you arrive with one.

    Before you go: Double-check the word Downtown in the hotel name.
    Key facts
    Property
    La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Downtown
    Parking
    One vehicle per room
    Included
    Breakfast

    Pros

    • One car parks free
    • Breakfast helps the trip budget

    Cons

    • Not directly on the river
    • Extra cars need confirmation
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  2. No. 2: Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio Rivercenter Area by IHG

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    The first car is free; another car has a listed fee.

    Exterior of Holiday Inn Express and Suites San Antonio Rivercenter Area
    Exterior of Holiday Inn Express and Suites San Antonio Rivercenter Area. IHG Hotels & Resorts / Official website

    Holiday Inn Express Rivercenter Area is handy if your trip includes the Alamodome or the east side of downtown. The hotel lists free parking for the first car, with a $12 charge for another. Ask the desk how that extra-car fee is billed if your group brings two.

    The name can make the spot sound closer to the river than it is. Use the map before deciding to walk everywhere. Breakfast is included, which helps on mornings when you want an early start. Ask whether a room and parking space are both available on your dates. Big stadium events can fill the area.

    Before you go: Ask whether the extra-car fee applies per day or per stay.
    Key facts
    Parking
    First vehicle free
    Additional vehicle
    Listed $12 fee; confirm billing period
    Area
    East of the central River Walk

    Pros

    • Breakfast included
    • Useful for Alamodome plans

    Cons

    • Additional car fee
    • A walk or ride to the river
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  3. No. 3: La Hacienda Inn near Alamodome & Riverwalk

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    The current booking listing includes one parking space per room.

    Two beds and rustic wooden furniture in a La Hacienda Inn guest room
    Two beds and rustic wooden furniture in a La Hacienda Inn guest room. La Hacienda Inn / SanAntonioTHotel listing

    La Hacienda Inn is a small-hotel option on East Commerce Street. Its current Booking.com listing includes free parking for one car per room. Rooms list a fridge and microwave, which are useful for cold drinks and a quick snack before heading out.

    This is farther from the River Walk than the hotel name might suggest. The listing puts the river about a mile and a half away. Plan a ride if a long walk would eat into the fun. Check the parking space with the hotel for your dates, especially if you drive a large car.

    Before you go: Check the space and car size directly before paying for a room.
    Key facts
    Address
    1524 East Commerce Street
    Parking
    One car per room, per current listing
    Room basics
    Fridge and microwave

    Pros

    • One-car parking included
    • Useful room basics

    Cons

    • Farther from the river
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  4. No. 4: Best Western Alamo Suites

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    Free outdoor parking, with a rule that excludes nearby residents.

    Exterior and sign of Best Western Alamo Suites in San Antonio
    Exterior and sign of Best Western Alamo Suites in San Antonio. Best Western / Official website

    Best Western Alamo Suites is worth comparing when you want more room to spread out. The hotel lists free outdoor parking and breakfast, plus an indoor pool. Suites have a microwave and fridge, so you can keep a few snacks for the children.

    Read the guest rule before booking a local getaway. All guests must live at least 30 miles from the hotel. It also sits away from the main River Walk loop, despite the Alamo name. Price in a ride or downtown parking if you plan to drive to dinner. Then compare the whole stay, not just the room rate.

    Before you go: Check the 30-mile residency rule before booking a staycation.
    Key facts
    Parking
    Free outdoor parking
    Local guest rule
    Guests must live at least 30 miles away
    Room basics
    Suite, microwave and fridge

    Pros

    • Room to spread out
    • Breakfast and parking included

    Cons

    • Local-resident restriction
    • Outside the main river loop
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  5. No. 5: Candlewood Suites San Antonio Downtown by IHG

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    Free guest parking and in-room kitchens on South Laredo Street.

    Front of Candlewood Suites San Antonio Downtown
    Front of Candlewood Suites San Antonio Downtown. IHG Hotels & Resorts / Official website

    Candlewood Suites Downtown is a useful choice when the trip lasts more than a night. A kitchen lets you keep breakfast simple and save leftovers from dinner. The hotel lists free self-parking for registered guests, with no valet stop between you and the car.

    The South Laredo Street spot needs a route check. Decide whether the walk to your plans suits your group, and budget for rides when it doesn’t. Ask about space for a second car or an oversized car before arriving. Free guest parking isn’t a promise that every type of car will fit.

    Before you go: Compare the room plus rides with a more central hotel’s full parking bill.
    Key facts
    Address
    1024 South Laredo Street
    Parking
    Free self-parking for registered guests
    Rooms
    In-room kitchens

    Pros

    • Kitchen for longer stays
    • Free guest self-parking

    Cons

    • Outside the central restaurant loop
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  6. No. 6: Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio-Dtwn Market Area by IHG

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    One free parking space per room for registered guests.

    Hotel entrance and palm trees at Holiday Inn Express and Suites San Antonio Downtown Market Area
    Hotel entrance and palm trees at Holiday Inn Express and Suites San Antonio Downtown Market Area. IHG Hotels & Resorts / Official website

    Holiday Inn Express Downtown Market Area pairs suites with one free parking space per room. It’s a practical base if you want to spend part of the trip around Market Square and still visit the river. Breakfast is included at this hotel.

    Use the El Paso Street address to check the route before booking. This isn’t the Holiday Inn directly on the River Walk, and IHG hotels nearby have different parking terms. Ask what happens if your group has two cars. A quick call now can keep a free-parking plan from turning into a second bill at check-in.

    Before you go: Use the full hotel name and address when comparing IHG hotels.
    Key facts
    Address
    102 El Paso Street
    Parking
    One vehicle per room
    Guests
    Parking for registered guests only

    Pros

    • One-car parking included
    • Breakfast included

    Cons

    • Second car needs a separate plan
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  7. No. 7: La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Antonio Market Square

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    Free on-site parking and breakfast at the Dolorosa property.

    Exterior of La Quinta Inn San Antonio Market Square
    Exterior of La Quinta Inn San Antonio Market Square. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts / Official website

    La Quinta Market Square puts a food-and-shopping stop near your room. The hotel lists free on-site parking, breakfast and an outdoor pool. It’s a useful choice for a trip that includes both Market Square and the River Walk.

    This is the hotel at 900 Dolorosa, not the La Quinta named Riverwalk. The hotel says the river is less than a mile away. Your route depends on which part you want to reach. Check the walking map and ask about parking limits for your car. Hotel names alone make a poor trip planner.

    Before you go: Check the address so you book the Market Square hotel.
    Key facts
    Address
    900 Dolorosa
    Parking
    Free on site
    Included
    Breakfast

    Pros

    • Handy for Market Square
    • Breakfast and outdoor pool

    Cons

    • A walk or ride to the river
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  8. No. 8: City View Inn & Suites

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    A current booking listing includes free parking for guests.

    Front entrance of Cityview Inn and Suites in San Antonio
    Front entrance of Cityview Inn and Suites in San Antonio. Cityview Inn & Suites / Expedia via Jetstar Hotels

    Cityview Inn & Suites is another small-hotel option east of the river. The current Booking.com page lists free private parking for registered guests. Rooms include a microwave and fridge. The East Commerce Street address suits plans near Sunset Station or the Alamodome.

    Check the parking arrangement directly, since a small hotel has less room to absorb extra cars. This is a city base rather than a riverfront stay. Map your route, then decide whether the saving covers the rides you’ll want. Look at recent room photos before choosing a rate, so the style of the stay matches what you expect.

    Before you go: Ask the hotel to check one space for your booking.
    Key facts
    Address
    1306 East Commerce Street
    Parking
    Free for guests, per current listing
    Room basics
    Microwave and fridge

    Pros

    • Free guest parking listed
    • Useful east-downtown location

    Cons

    • Limited size makes parking confirmation useful
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026
  9. No. 9: River Inn Motel

    San AntonioPrice: Check dates

    Free uncovered parking at a small, single-story property.

    Parking courtyard and ground-floor rooms at River Inn Motel in San Antonio
    Parking courtyard and ground-floor rooms at River Inn Motel in San Antonio. River Inn Motel / Official website

    River Inn Motel is for a trip where the room is mostly a place to sleep. The official amenities page lists free uncovered parking. The motel has twenty rooms on one floor. That may suit you if you’d rather park near the building than use a tall garage.

    Keep the spot in mind: it isn’t on the River Walk. Check the drive or ride to your plans and compare the total cost with a hotel closer in. Look at current room photos and ask about the space your car needs. The appeal here is a simple base with a parking bill you can avoid.

    Before you go: Choose it for the basic stay and lot, then plan transport into downtown.
    Key facts
    Stay type
    Small, single-story motel
    Parking
    Free and uncovered
    River access
    Plan a walk, drive or ride

    Pros

    • Free outdoor parking
    • Single-story layout

    Cons

    • No riverfront location
    View detailsVerified Sep 2026

Find a stay

Compare stays around the San Antonio River Walk. This map includes booking-site listings beyond our picks. We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these hotels directly on the River Walk?

Most are nearby rather than on the river. Free parking often means a longer walk or a short ride. Check the route to the exact restaurant or attraction you plan to visit.

Does free parking cover two cars?

Not always. La Quinta Downtown and Holiday Inn Express Downtown Market Area list one car per room. Holiday Inn Express Rivercenter lists the first car free and a fee for another.

Can I leave the car after checkout?

Do not assume so. These offers generally apply to registered guests during their stay. Ask the hotel before leaving a car before check-in or after checkout.

Sources & Methodology

We used the records, official pages and independent sources listed below to report and verify this guide. No source paid for placement.

Spotted a closed spot or an error? Email our corrections desk. We review every note within 48 hours.

About the author

Diego Salinas

Staff Writer, Best of Texas

Diego writes about road trips, state parks and the long empty stretches in between. His guides focus on routes, reservation rules, seasonal closures and practical access details.

  • Road trips and state parks
  • Route and access research
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