Disclaimer :: Hilton Hotels partnered with Fort Worth Moms to bring this content to our readers.
In May 2019, Hilton Hotels announced something big, and here in Texas, big means BIG. Hilton is partnering with four of Texas’ largest destinations to provide exclusive discounts and experiences to guests staying in Hilton branded hotels. Fort Worth Moms got the chance to experience this Texas-Sized Savings program first-hand, and we want to share our tips, tricks, and reasons why this needs to be your next vacation plan!
Living in Fort Worth, we have the opportunity to hop on a highway and head to the hills, the beach, or any of the amazing stops in between. For our family, San Antonio has been a long-time favorite. The Alamo, the Riverwalk, and even Sea World will forever be staples in my bank of childhood memories. Taking my own children to this memory maker was a dream.
The new Hilton Texas-Sized Savings program allows families to plan a dream vacation without breaking the bank. I could write a book about our action-packed weekend in Alamo City, but because I know you’re a busy mama, I will give you my takeaways and tips so you can just go experience it yourself!
Where to Stay
Location can make or break your vacation. We stayed at the Embassy Suites Landmark Hotel. This centrally located hotel not only made it an easy minutes’ drive to Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the San Antonio Zoo, but it also offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from a variety of local attractions. Not paying for parking? Cha-ching!
Embassy Suites Landmark made us feel right at home. Two-room suites made it super comfortable for the four of us to spread out and relax. Putting the kids in the attached room made us all more comfortable as they could have the nightlights they required, and mom and dad could close the door and enjoy the pitch black quiet of a bed they didn’t have to make.
Hilton hotels have complimentary evening receptions (free snacks and drinks — even of the adult variety)! A great appetizer or quick snack dinner, this evening treat is a crowd pleaser. We spent our spare moments in the beautiful pool, cooling off or getting out the wiggles. The pool hours stretch from the early hours late into the night, making it convenient regardless of your schedule.
Mornings at Hilton Landmark were by far my favorite. Complimentary breakfast doesn’t even begin to describe the beauty of being greeted by a warm smile and a hot frying pan full of your customized omelette. Hot breakfast of every variety, hot coffee flowing like a fountain of life, and children delighted by the spread of pastries and fruit — if only every morning could start like this.
What to Do
My husband and I spent a weekend in San Antonio before having kids. We hit all the main stops and historical sites and enjoyed quiet dinners along the River Walk. Every parent knows that a vacation with kids is no vacation; it’s a trip. Along with this shift in our travel perspective came a recognition that the things we enjoyed as a pre-baby couple weren’t going to cut it with our rowdy bunch. Luckily for us, our old favorite has tons to offer kids of all ages!
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas
A short drive (or free shuttle ride!) away from the Embassy Suites Landmark, this Texas empire of fun is open year-round! Six Flags Fiesta Texas surprised us with how accessible it was to our whole family.
The kids’ rides were sized just right, allowing a parent to ride or those brave littles to stretch their amusement park wings and fly (literally). When the family gets hot, you can jump on over to White Water Bay — admission for which, by the way, comes included in your park ticket.
Pro Tip: If you want to ride the “adult sized” rides — including their newest, The Joker — spring for the Flash Pass. We were able to take turns staying with the kids while the other jumped to the front of any line to get a quick thrill.
- San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio has so much to offer. One of the attractions that is now a must-see favorite is the San Antonio Zoo. This zoo makes you feel like you are at home with the animals.
Up-close viewing of everything from lions to birds makes it a worthy stop while in town. However, the butterfly garden, Roo Encounter, and Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot are what made it a true highlight of our trip. The Roo Encounter and Butterfly Flight School are add-ons to your normal admission, but are well worth the small extra expense.
The Tiny Tot Nature Spot is free and designed for kids under five, though older kids are permitted and will love it. This area provides an air-conditioned indoor nature education center with reading nooks, indoor stream to splash and play, and daily activities (think crafts, animal encounters, etc.). Behind the building are an outdoor kitchen, play camping area, turtle pond, and a full array of outdoor educational fun. The staff is eager to help parents and children learn and enjoy nature, and are full of creative activities you can enjoy at the zoo or do at home!
Our Texas-Sized Savings family vacation to San Antonio was so full of amazing memories, we can’t fit them all in one post. Stay tuned for the second installment—with more details about attractions, food, and some exciting news about other ways you can save big with Hilton this summer!
To see all the photos from our San Antonio fun, visit our Facebook photo album!
Read San Antonio—Part 2 here!
