Situated on the iconic River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, historic hotel El Tropicano will reopen as Sítio El Tropicano this fall. El Tropicano opened in 1962 as the first hotel on the River Walk. Trestle Studio and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture lead the transformation, with a modern, design-forward approach.

Sítio El Tropicano will feature 315 rooms; three distinct culinary and cocktail venues; a 5,000-square-foot spa; 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space; a private members club; and San Antonio’s largest hotel pool deck. The hotel will feature works from Southwestern and Latin artists. The new design integrates nature into the property with botanic touches throughout.

© Courtesy of Sítio El Tropicano

“El Tropicano has long been part of San Antonio’s cultural rhythm, its mid-century character holding an optimism from another era,” said Michael Hsu, principal, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. “With Sítio, we’re building a dialogue with that history: preserving what’s meaningful while introducing richer textures, deeper landscape connections, and a lobby experience that will welcome guests as a true gathering place along the River Walk.”

Reservations are expected to open in spring, ahead of its projected fall 2026 debut.