Menger Hotel

I know the hotel is old, and that there will be some issues. It appears the place has really aged poorly since the new owners (The State of Texas) and management company took over. The nightmare began (not because of ghosts), when we tried to check in our room was not ready. We were about 20 minutes early for check in so we waited. The air conditioning does not appear to be working in the lobby. At 4pm, I went to ask about our room. They advised there was a problem and would be about 20 minutes to finish cleaning the room. After 45 minutes, I returned to the desk and they said the room was just about done. The desk supervisor advised she would credit $50 to our blll.

Got checked in and went up to our room. I booked a king balcony for our Anniversary. The room’s ac was set to 65, but the room temperature was 81 degrees. Went back to the desk and they offered to move us to a smaller room, a suite we had stayed in on our previous trip. It was much smaller but did have working ac.

The room was dark so it did not appear dirty, but my wife found several hairs left behind in the tub from the previous guests. The shower was awful. It would not keep a consistent temperature. It would go from scalding hot to freezing cold and back again to hot. The elevator by the room was out of order and from other reviews it has not worked in some time.

Tried for room service from the taco shop but after several rings the phone was not answered. After so many rings it disconnects. Tried several more time with no answer, so I went down to place an order.

The next day we were going to spend the morning at the pool. Went down at 10am and there was a sign-pool closed. They said they had shocked the pool and it would be most of the day before it would open. The desk said we could use the pool at the Crocker Hotel next door. Walked over there and their pool was closed as well. I am not certain but I believe they are owned and ran by the same entities.

We went back to the room, changed and went to lunch. The next problem, I text the valet like the receipt says, expecting my car to be brought around. The valet told me that sometimes the text doesn’t work and I should call.

I followed signs to ice and vending near our room. There were no machines there. A housekeeper directed me to the far side of the hotel to another machine. We made it to the pool that afternoon but it too appears to be showing its age.

Being the history nerd that I am, I always stopped by the bar for an old fashioned with Teddy’s ghost. The drink was $18 (paid $15 for a much better one next door at Morten’s), it was over crushed ice. The US soccer match being played so we thought we could watch it in the bar. Wrong…. They have removed all tVs from the bar.

The next morning was checkout. I sent a text and called the valet. Just like with room service the line would ring several times then disconnect. The phone was never answered. The lady at the front was not very friendly. I advised her that the desk supervisor from the previous evening told me she would credit $50 to our bill. That credit did not happen. We were in a hurry to leave so I did not check my receipt until I got home. On the bright side, they had received my text and the car was waiting for us to make a quick getaway.

Long winded review but future guests should take notice. We have stayed.here repeatedly over the last 30 years and have always enjoyed the history, the ghost stories and service. This stay will be our last. The new owners and management have run a once majestic property into the ground.

Sadly, We experienced bad food and became ill after the meal, spoke to a manager, and never got a call back to resolve the issue. Extremely disappointing. Used to come here as a child it was an adventure. Wish that was more common now.

Prior to that experience, I would have given the hotel, a three star, despite the dismal service and the requirement that you book your room online through another company. The decor is amazing. Some of the staff are fun to talk with because they know the history. But overall, I have received better service at Motel 6.

You can’t beat the location. It is fantastic. But given the choice, I will choose the Crockett next time and I have stayed at the Menger three times out of the last six weeks traveling to San Antonio. Every two weeks part of this is because I spent my childhood staying at the Menger and wanted to introduce my family to the same experience.

If you just want to visit a historic hotel, I would highly recommend this hotel but know that the staff is just there for a job or at least that is how it seems. On our last visit, we actually did get someone that corrected an issue but still did not address our prior visit.

Sadly, three times tired of us out.

The hotel is beautiful and honestly, it is worth the visit. Just fatiguing if you go back several times and that’s a shame.