Summary:
Your unique, modern space "Firebird" you will find was reborn in a historic red brick workspace/garage in the heart of San Antonio. You are across the street from the world-famous Riverwalk and you are an easy stroll from great shopping, restaurants, bars, and excitement your vacation is longing for. Experiences for your tastes abound whether historic - World Heritage Alamo site, or modern Blue Star Arts Complex. Your Firebird is perfect for friends, couples, solo adventurers, and business travelers... Modern fun in a historic setting!!
The Space:
Your stay at Firebird is unlike any experience you will find in San Antonio. You will be right in the heart of the city and you will find no shortage of things to do, see, and experience - from historic and the earliest days of the San Antonio to sleek and modern. Your modern, reborn, space, is located on the estate grounds of the Gustav Giesecke House in the King William Historic District of San Antonio. Perfect for your romantic getaway and something other than your traditional boring hotel room. You will find your suite has a modern charm and your stay is more akin to a stay in a downtown condo than a renovated, century old, workshop in the middle of the city. At the same time, we strive to make it as comfortable as possible and keep it fully appointed with all the linens, towels, soaps and shampoos and other amenities you would expect from a hotel stay while keeping your experience entirely unique!
Once your booking is confirmed, we send you a SECURE link to our pre-arrival portal where you will verify ID and occupancy (like at a hotel) without all the handing of ID back and forth. (see details below)
Next, we send directions and your unique keyless access code so you can let yourself in.
We take the extra step of curating a full list of things for you to experience during your stay (many FREE). These are found mobile guidebook app - we'll send you the link after you complete the pre-arrival portal.
Your suite, “Firebird”, is on the property where a Victorian frame home and wash house build here in 1889 by Gustav Giesecke and his bride, Anna Francisca Groos once stood. Their original frame home was demolished in 1915 when the couple expanded the property and built the large, brick, two-story, Arts-and-Crafts house you will become familiar with as the 'main house' and still stands on the estate. The original Victorian wash house was converted into a guest cottage that is also available for short-term rentals and can be seen across the fenced in garden space from your suite. Your Firebird was restored from the workshop/garage of the Arts-and-Crafts house in 2022 and just opened for guests in 2024.
In your primary bedroom, and your additional loft 'bedroom' space, you will find comfortable queen-sized beds with pillow top mattresses. If you have additional people in your party, your sofa converts into an additional bed. And the two sofas upstairs make comfortable beds for your younger travelers.
Your Firebird sports polished concrete floors downstairs and wood plank flooring in the loft.
When you would like to freshen up, your bathroom has a nice shower and you will find your space is stocked with thick, fluffy, super soft, oversized towels, soaps, and shampoos.
You will find you have a modern, large, comfortable space to get away and relax with a cup of coffee in the morning or with a glass of your favorite beverage in the evening after a day exploring San Antonio. Your open floor plan combines living room / dining room / and kitchen, well enough appointed to cook up a reasonable meal if you are so inclined and a 32" flat panel TV with free streaming services. If you travel with your own entertainment, the TV fully supports connecting a Firestick or other devices via HDMI and USB.
Your kitchen is completely appointed with refrigerator, range/oven, microwave... and all the necessary cooking and dining utensils, Keurig (for your morning / evening warm beverage convenience), plates, glasses, etc. to enjoy your own home-cooked meals - if you choose to cook. You will be staying directly across the street from the entrance to the world renowned 'Riverwalk' and with restaurants serving all varieties of cuisine just a short walk away you can go an entire visit without using the stove once. Your parking is free, however, you will want to be aware that you can only park on the street and your parking time between 7 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday, is restricted by the city and the King William Historic District. Overnight is generally not a problem, unless you are late to bed and are not up by 9 am to move your car before the city makes their 1st check. We will help you stay in compliance so your parking remains free.
Since 1889, only two families have owned the home and grounds. You will see magnificent pecan and cypress trees on the property, these are believed to be centuries old. Native plants fill the lush garden. These plants provide a haven for wild birds so you will likely see many varieties during your stay. Your Firebird is a modern, large and comfortable retreat (1200 sq. ft.) for you, or you and a loved one, or a small close group of family and friends.
If Firebird is available on dates you are looking at, grab that booking fast! Our guests come back often and are staying for longer periods each time, you will find the same when you experience a stay in the cottage. Open dates do not last long.
You will be staying in a very safe and historically significant neighborhood, feel free to walk the streets and admire the various historic homes. You are within easy walking distance to food, fun, everything really!
Unfortunately, and possibly because you have made us so popular with guests arriving to San Antonio, we have noticed a dramatic increase in fraudulent bookings. While we do not like doing anything that might be an extra burden on you when you are coming to visit us and relax, we put some additional safety procedures in place to ensure your safety, the safety of our home, and the safety of everyone during your stay. When you book, you understand that you will be required to provide your identifying documents through a secure 3rd party platform before we provide access to your space. These documents include (and may not be limited to) a government issued photo ID in your name (or the booking party) and an valid credit card issued in your name. This is the same process hotels use to provide for your safety. We pay for the same secure system used by hotels to validate guest age and ID on check in. You will pay no additional costs for this check, and your credit card *will not* be charged outside of the Terms and Conditions specified by the booking channel, we have made sure of this. A small authorization to 'Alamo City Stays' will be attempted by the 3rd party service -only- to determine the validity of the credit card information provided. Please note: An authorization is not a charge, no funds are transferred in an authorization. If you do not pass the initial ID verification, additional checks may be required. In the extremely rare circumstance that you are notified that you did not pass, -or- if you opt out of completing this check for the safety of all concerned. By reserving, and taking control of our space, you agree to cancel your active reservation within 24 hours of notification -and- release control of our space. Those releasing control of our space within 24 hours of such notification -WILL- be provided a full refund with our regrets. Those not releasing control of our space within 24 hours of such notification will be charged in accordance with the booking channel cancellation policy in effect at the time of the cancellation.
Guest Access:
If you reserve this listing, you will have the entire suite to yourself and full use of it 24 hours a day. Garden and grounds outside are shared with guests and visitors. You can come and go as you like. There's an electronic lock, so there are no keys for you to keep up with or worry about losing, but there is a combination lock on the privacy gate for added security - we'll provide you with the code to that. We recommend leaving the lock on the gate at all times just so you don't have to worry about losing it.
The Neighborhood:
Your suite sits on the back right side of the 'main house' on one corner of the Gustav Giesecke estate in the elegant King William Historic District. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of San Antonio's oldest and most architecturally significant areas. The grand houses of this neighborhood were built by successful German immigrants on the land bordering the San Antonio River and formerly farmed by the Spanish missions. Right across the street you will arrive at one entrance to your world-famous San Antonio Riverwalk (on the San Antonio River) which offers shopping, dining and entertainment for all tastes. Feel free to stroll the area. Welcome to your perfect vacation escape!
Getting Around:
If you want to ride, taxis are available anytime and start around $15 to get anywhere else in town. I prefer to Uber. Once you are here, you are likely to find anything you want to do is within a short walk on the Riverwalk. Enjoy your stay!
Interaction with Guests:
It's likely you won't see me during your stay, which allows you more privacy and convenience. However, I'm here anytime you need to reach out. If you need anything or have questions, just send me a message and I'll be quick to respond.
