San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-07-05
THAT HOTEL ENTERPRISE.
A Business Man Makes Some Per-
tinent observations and Prac-
teal Suggestions.

tinent observations and Prac-
teal Suggestions.
"There is no doubt" said we'll
known citizen to newspaper man,
"that we need large, first class
hotel, one with all the latest i'm
provements such as would be at
tractive to men Of money who are
travelling in search of health or
pleasure. Our hotels are all very
well in their way, but men of
money who are used to luXuries of
the best hotels in the country
would not tolerate them, unless
compelled to do so. San Antonio
has q climate that for recuperative
powers is away ahead OF either
Florida or California, but in hotel
accommodation it is away behind
them, and thus it is that those
scoop in the rich invalids that
might otherwise come here. The
best and more convenient site for
such a hotel would be where the
Menger now is and, though it is
now a profitable investment, Mr..
Kampmann is not only willing to
60 into the big hotel scheme, but
he will, / understand, take pay
ment for it at $250,0O0 payable in
paid up stock. Mr.. Kampmann is
shrewd business man, like his
father, and has now had consider
able experience in the hotel
business. He evidently has faith
in the success of the enterprise, for
if it failed he would be an i'm
mense loser. Suppose now that
Mr.. Kampmann's offer was accept
ed, and a company organized to
run the big hotel, the present build
ing could be extended to the cor
ner of Crockett street, run down the
south side of that street and on to
Bonham street. Then the hotel
would occupy the whole block,
bounded on the west by Alamo
plaza, north by Crockett street,
east by Bonham street and south
by Blum street. This building
could be erected so that all were
"outside rooms" placing a man.
moth pleasure garden in the centre.
The internal arrangements could
be made so as to afford all the lux
uries and convenience that the af-
fluent want and are willing to pay
for. The hotel on this plan, well
advertised, would draw visitors
and invalids, as in Florida and
California, and there is little doubt
that capitalists, so coming here,
would see and realize our resour-
ces and be disposed to invest and
utilize them for mutual benefit.
And this is just what we want. OF
course there might be some diff
Gu ty in getting some of the
property needed and possibly,
in some cases, extra would
have to be paid to secure it, but in
the end it will be found that the
Menger could be enlarged as indi-
Gated and remodelled far cheaper
than new mammoth hotel in an
inconvenient location on the out
skirts of the city, and the site
would be more convenient and ac-
ceptable. If, however, we must
build an entirely lew hotel, then l
would suggest that Bowen's island
be secured for that purpose mas
much as it gives ample room, is
picturesque, and is right in the
heart of the city, and every way
adapted for such purpose. Any
,,,o ~ x,yo ,Y-ont a hfCr bnfol Up need
it in our business and all should
cooperate to get it no matter
which plan is adopted or where To-
Gated, but common sense should
teach us to erect such a structure
and upon such a site as shall be
most acceptable to visitors and in
vdlids in order that it may be
profitable and satisfactory"
anln-