We stopped into the Menger Hotel because we heard from a friend that it was THE place to stay! We opted to staying at the Fairmount, A Wyndham Historic Hotel instead, but we did indeed visit the Menger, which is located right next to the Alamo.
William Menger, a German immigrant, built the hotel in 1859. Menger had already established Texas's first brewery on this spot when he added the hotel because we wanted a place for the hard-drinking guests of the brewery to spend the night. Before the hotel, they would sleep passed out on his long bar! The hotel he built is not just a few rooms on top of a saloon, but is a gorgeous creation. The lobby of the hotel you see today is still the same three-tiered Victorian lobby that was there when the hotel first opened.

Since then, the hotel has gathered quite a reputation and several dignitaries such as presidents, Civil War generals, actors, athletes and other famous guests have spent the night. In fact, O. Henry wrote several short stories featuring the Menger Hotel.
In addition to the fact that the Menger Hotel is a beautiful and historic building, the theory that the hotel is haunted adds more appeal for the casual visitor. When you stop in, be on the look out for maid Sallie White who sometimes walks the hallways because husband murdered her at the Menger. She usually wears a long grey skirt and is carrying towels. While in the lobby, look for a lady in a blue dress with a beret and glasses. If you are brave enough to stay as a guest, there are several other stories about many haunted rooms and corridors.

The hotel has several unique shops including one dedicated to tin soldiers and another with a wide variety of cigars and tobacco items. There are a few restaurants as well. In the center of the hotel is a beautiful courtyard with lots of green vegetation where visitors can have a bite to eat.

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