Hilton’s midscale hotel brand, Tru by Hilton, is expanding its footprint in Texas with a new property opening in downtown San Antonio. This is the second Tru by Hilton property in the Lone Star State and the first adaptive-reuse project for the brand, underscoring the new property’s unique historical influence. Tru by Hilton continues to reinvent the midscale hotel category and is increasing its presence in larger, higher visibility markets such as downtown San Antonio.
Tru by Hilton Downtown San Antonio was once the façade of the 1930s-era Gillespie Ford Building. The first two floors of the new Tru building maintain the original pie-shaped framework of the dealership, including restored stucco work on the exterior and a lobby area that is larger than most existing Tru properties.
“The San Antonio property is an example of how we are strategically pursuing adaptive reuse projects to open in higher barrier-to-entry markets,” Alexandra Jaritz, global head of Tru by Hilton, said in a statement. “We want to be wherever our guests are traveling.”
Owned and managed by Baywood Hotels, the 95-room Tru by Hilton Downtown San Antonio is located near attractions like the San Antonio Riverwalk and The Alamo, as well as the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center and Rivercenter Mall. The property is also minutes from Lackland Air Force Base, Seaworld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
“We are extremely proud to join the Tru by Hilton brand and introduce travelers to this new midscale lodging offering,” Christopher Arango, GM of the Tru by Hilton Downtown San Antonio, said in a statement. “Our ideal location, affordable price and unique historical influence makes us a desirable choice for guests visiting the San Antonio area.”
Tru by Hilton properties include smaller, more efficiently designed rooms; large bathrooms; entertainment; a complimentary build-your-own "Top It" breakfast bar; a 2,880-square-foot lobby with areas for guests to work, play games, eat and lounge; and a 24/7 "Eat. & Sip." market with gourmet snacks and drinks, including single-serve wine and beer. The hotels include mobile check-in, Digital Key, free Wi-Fi, remote printing, a social media wall, market tablets and accessibility to outlets everywhere.