Hotel Contessa is perfectly situated along a tranquil stretch of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Occupying a full city block in downtown San Antonio, Hotel Contessa provides a grand sense of arrival with its elegant, oval porte cochere entry and stone and stucco façade that melds contemporary lines with classic architectural details.

San Antonio, Texas, with its has grown as one of the most exciting meetings destinations in the Southwest U.S. The city is known for the San Antonio Riverwalk, a network of walkways around the San Antonio River, which winds and loops under bridges featuring two parallel sidewalks—on each side of the river—and is lined with restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and historical points of interest. The River Walk is home to the Hotel Contessa, a luxury hotel and Benchmark Hospitality International property, featuring more than 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space that opened in 2005.

For meeting and group events May through September 2008, Hotel Contessa is offering several incentives, including discounts and a free tapa and sangria opening reception.

Occupying a full city block in downtown San Antonio, Hotel Contessa features 265, one-bedroom suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a stylish lounge with a dining table/workspace. The sleeping and living areas are separated by a dry bar with refreshment center and premium bathroom and include flat screen televisions, multi-line phones and wireless, high-speed Internet access. Hotel Contessa also features onsite dining with Las Ramblas and the Cork Bar as well as The Spa at Hotel Contessa.

Las Ramblas, an onsite restaurant at Hotel Contessal, features inside or alfresco, along the banks of The Riverwalk and delectable menu with Spanish influences.

For small-to-mid-size meetings and group events, Hotel Contessa offers meeting and event planners flexible layouts—some including picturesque outdoor areas The property’s 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities range from a magnificent ballroom to an executive boardroom, complete with high-speed Internet access, ergonomic chairs, glare-free lighting and soundproof walls. The hotel features 10 private meeting and event spaces ideal for theatre, classroom or U-shaped configurations plus a variety of banquets and receptions. Highlights include: The Cypress Room, located on The Riverwalk Level with 1,640 square feet; The Anaqua Room with 915 square feet plus a 400-square-foot adjacent terrace and The Palm Room with 735 square feet on the Lobby Level; and on the Conference Level, the Contessa Ballroom (divisible into East and West) with 2,276 square feet and an 850-square-foot pre-function area, the Magnolia Room with 1,125 square feet and a 540-square-foot pre-function area, the Cedar Room with 820 square feet and a 500- square-foot pre-function area, the Laurel Room with 770 square feet and a 430-square-foot pre-function area, the Mesquite Room with 580 square feet, the Retama Room with 540 square feet and the Boardroom with 510 square feet. In addition, the Conference Level boasts a 1,120-square-foot outdoor terrace.

Hotel Contessa’s 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities include a magnificent ballroom.

San Antonio's Hotel Contessa is currently several new packages and promotions for meetings and group events that place May through September 200. These incentives include a complimentary Tapas and Sangria opening reception—as well as discounts—of $1,500 to $3,000 off the Benchmark Conference Plan. For more information call (210) 229-9222 or visit: www.thehotelcontessa.com

One of the meetings rooms at Hotel Contessa—The Executive Boardroom—features high-speed Internet access, ergonomic chairs, glare-free lighting and soundproof walls.