It’s been about six years since El Tropicano shuttered amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but life will soon return to the San Antonio hotel, built in 1962. The historic downtown haunt, now called Sítio El Tropicano, is still under construction, but a major culinary partnership was recently announced.
Expect Sítio El Tropicano to reopen by the end of 2026, with reservations already open for December and beyond. Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, the team behind award-winning concepts such as Nicosi and Isidore, is leading the hotel’s food and beverage program, bringing three dining concepts and a membership program called Sítio Club, according to a June news release.
The three concepts from Emmer & Rye will include a lobby cafe and prepared foods shop, an all-day restaurant featuring “ingredient-driven” dishes and a poolside option with a seasonal menu and cocktails. The news release also notes that Sítio El Tropicano will include a cocktail bar called Flamingo Bar.
“San Antonio is such a special city, and seeing this historic property come back to life is incredibly exciting. We look forward to bringing all-day dining and a vibrant sense of community back to this space,” said Rand Egbert, partner and chief development officer of Emmer & Rye.
Once it relaunches, Sítio El Tropicano is expected to feature 315 rooms, a 5,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center, a large pool deck and several places to eat and drink. An opening date has not yet been announced, but reservations are now available for winter and later dates.
Find it: 110 Lexington Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205