Mango ice cream and space
Checking on hotels, entertainment facilities, transportation and other accouterments for upcoming conventions is one of the perks your Ol' Editor has enjoyed for years.
This past week we spent a couple of days at San Antonio. It was exhausting, but somebody has to do it, checking out seven hotels and facilities of one of the nation's most historic cities.
Three of the hotels are legendary. The trip afforded an opportunity to examine them, enjoy their historic charm, and revel in the Southwest's colorful past.
The St. Anthony, a Wyndham historic hotel, exudes charm. While exploring the St. Anthony we were reminded that our friend Bob Vestring of Burns speaks of how his father always made the St. Anthony headquarters while on cattle buying trips to Texas 60 or more years ago. Unfortunately, banquet meeting space is limited to fewer than our 99th Infantry Division convention requires.
The Gunter, a Sheraton Hotel, is elegant in all regards. Listed on the National Record of Historic Landmarks, it offers reasonable rates, outstanding food service and a banquet hall that might (maybe) meet our needs. While investigating, your Ol' Editor was reminded of days long ago, while growing up in the Flint Hills, how one of our favorite cattlemen from Texas was "Mr. Gunter Hardy," a descendant of that famous family. None ever left the "Mr." from his name.
The Menger, is probably the most historic of all as it has served the public in luxury since 1859. It, like the others, is near the Alamo and close to the Riverwalk. They all provide in-room Internet access, modern conveniences, excellent food service, and charm. Unfortunately few had room for 500 at a banquet. The Menger has rooms going back more than 100 years (fully restored to modern amenities but with historic antique furnishings). It also serves mango ice cream. A mango tree on site was used for fruit to flavor home made ice cream for guests those many decades ago. It's still served today, and we enjoyed a dish.
The first meeting of Army Divisions Association was held in San Antonio long ago. Your OE was there, we met in the Emily Morgan. Students of Texas history know that the mulatto girl, Emily Morgan, was the "Yellow rose" of historic fame who clandestinely gathered information for Sam Houston that provided the advantage at the battle of San Jacinto and ultimate independence for the Lone Star State. The Emily Morgan slipped up on our registration when we organized ADA, so your OE bunked in a complimentary suite across the street, right behind the Alamo, at the Crockett which now belongs to Holiday Inn. It has charm, a great location, and a small banquet hall.
The price is about the same for all hotels which meets our standards. For about $10 a day less, there are hotels a few blocks away from the Alamo district, but that price would soon be lost to daily transportation needs. So, price was not as much a factor as parking space for cars and banquet space for octogenarian veterans.
Eventually we narrowed the choice to two modern palaces with atriums. They face the Alamo and sit on the banks of the historic Riverwalk. They are concrete, steel, aluminum and glass monstrosities of today. They have large banquet halls. But no mango ice cream.
— BILL MEYER
