Staycation

Sometimes the best vacation is one that you don’t have to travel far to arrive at your destination.

This was the case when my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at the Ranch Motel & Leisure Club here in San Antonio.

I’ve driven by this property with the eye-catching neon sign thousands of times over the years I’ve lived in San Antonio, but I’d never stopped in because the 1940s-era motel was of questionable character. Not anymore!

Urban Oasis

Thanks to Jayson Seidman and his team, the Ranch is a reimagined sanctuary that overlooks Brackenridge Park, only minutes from downtown San Antonio.

My husband and I wandered in while the motel’s renovation was underway, and it was his idea to book two nights at this polished gem. The native landscaping is what sold him. The inviting pool sold me.

Our courtyard room sported its own outdoor sitting area. Inside, the fresh, clean lines of the room paid homage to the motel’s simplicity. Our king-size bed was super comfortable, and I was wowed by the Le Labo soap, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner that brought a bit of Paris to San Antonio.

I enjoyed sitting outside in the morning before the temperature began to rise while sipping the motel’s freshly brewed coffee and watching butterflies and bees do their thing.

Pool and poolside bar

Our daughter joined us poolside, and we met two locals who are avid readers like we are, exchanging book recommendations and life lessons. I also met a young woman, who now lives in Midland, and I was able to give her recommendations of things to do while in San Antonio, including the nearby Botanical Garden.

The Ranch offers $35 half-day passes (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) for those who would like to hang out at their pool and sip on their extensive (and tasty) adult beverages.

Leisure Club

It also offers annual memberships to their Leisure Club: pool only, pickleball courts only, or combo. The five pickleball courts are located next door in the space that used to house Kiddie Park. Bicycles are also available for rent at $25 per day.

Follow The Ranch on Instagram to stay in the loop.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!