GENERAL/ROOM
Just finished a three day weekend here. My PLA applied a Diamond suite upgrade (have plenty, in use-or-lose mode given plans thru Feb). Got a massive Hospitality suite on the 8th floor. Very nice suite - corner location, parlor is equal to 3 bedrooms in size with sofa, 2nd bath, additional soft chairs for four, dining table for eight, "kitchenette" area with micro, full size fridge and wine cooler. No plates/silverware but those easily obtained from the Club. Bathrooms have nice hot water, large floor-level showers with sufficient but not lots of water pressure. White Ginger toiletries. Left note with a couple extra bucks first night asking for Quince-Bergamot if available, but no success. Towels/toiletries fully replaced every day. Check-in easy, late check-out and Diamond amenity offered up front; extra points for a well trained front desk staff. Nice welcome note from general manager waiting for us at check-in.
BAR/CLUB
Bar selection ok but unexciting; two local beers (Shiner Bock and, I think, Alamo). Club didn't have any local beer. Club service, overall, very good. Not the best I've ever experienced, but in the top three. Club breakfast presentation is smoked salmon plus fruits and croissants, some small variation each day. Hors d'oeuvres was same each night (ham slice, various veggies, hummus). Drinks poured by GC concierges; not self-pour.
We tried the pork empanadas appetizer at the bar and were unimpressed. The empanada was relatively tasteless and the asian-style sauce overpowered the meat completely. It is the same appetizer as served in the restaurant. Lunch in the restaurant was better. The chicken and turkey sandwiches were both tasty and the pepper-filled corn bread extremely good.
PARKING/LOCATION
The direct access to the riverwalk and easy walk distance to many historical sites was a big plus. We avoided the hotel parking at $34/night and instead parked at the Riverwalk Mall parking lot a block over and up at Commerce right before Alamo for $18 per 24 hours (no in/out, but lesser rate if you stay less than 6 hours). There is another city lot immediately across Market that is a flat $9 but you must be out before 8AM. Surface lots within a few blocks offer prices between $10 and $15 but have restrictions such as "exit by 4AM".
FACILITIES
Nice big exercise room. Pool also on 5th floor. Nice place to read your paper, basic rooftop lap pool. Despite multiple conventions in progress, hotel was not noisy and elevators were only rarely full. We did not find the "down to 5, cross over to go up to 23" for Club access any more than an extra minute or two delay at any time.
SUMMARY
We found the Grand to be a very good choice for a long weekend visit and were quite pleased. We'd certainly return again.