Hotel Havana in San Antonio to Close Operations

Hotel Havana, a boutique hotel on the River Walk in San Antonio

San Antonio, October 13, 2025

News Summary

Hotel Havana, a boutique hotel located along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, will cease its operations after 15 years of service. The closure is set for October 20, and guests with reservations beyond this date will be offered alternative arrangements. The hotel’s ownership has transitioned to Hyatt Hotels, which acquired Standard International. Additionally, the hotel’s restaurant Ocho has already closed, and events planned for 2026 and beyond have been canceled as discussions about the future of the historic building continue.

San Antonio

Hotel Havana, a boutique hotel on the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, will cease operations on October 20, 2025. The closure marks the end of 15 years of service since the hotel opened in 2010. Guests with reservations for October 20 and later will have their bookings canceled and will be offered alternative arrangements.

What happened and immediate effects

The hotel’s general manager confirmed the closure and said the hotel will continue to support colleagues and guests through the transition. Events scheduled for 2026 and beyond are also canceled. There has been no official statement from Bunkhouse Hotels regarding the hotel’s sale or employee impacts related to the closure.

Context on ownership and brand status

Hyatt Hotels acquired Standard International, the parent company of Bunkhouse Hotels (owners of Hotel Havana), in 2024. Hotel Havana was not included in the World of Hyatt rewards program list released in July 2025. Hyatt is considering relocating events planned for Hotel Havana to the nearby Thompson Hotel.

Onsite operations and recent changes

The hotel’s bar and restaurant, Ocho, recently closed on June 29, 2025, with plans for renovations announced by Executive Chef Jesse Kuykendall via social media. The hotel’s staff and management are working to provide guidance and alternative arrangements to affected guests and event organizers.

Design, reputation and historical notes

Hotel Havana opened in 2010 with a design and service concept intended to diversify hotel style in San Antonio by focusing on effortless luxury. Hotelier Liz Lambert was instrumental in opening Hotel Havana. The property earned attention in travel publications and was featured in travel magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler. The hotel was known for design details including vintage beds, high-end linens, well-worn rugs, and pastel SMEG refrigerators that contrasted with the minimalist styles prevalent at the time. Ocho was known for a vibrant atmosphere and unique design elements including a Victorian greenhouse and a tropical theme.

The building housing Hotel Havana was originally constructed in 1914 by grocer Edward Franz Melcher as a temporary home for visiting vendors. The structure is a Mediterranean Revival building on the riverside and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property had become a flophouse in recent years prior to its boutique conversion. It is unclear what will become of the Mediterranean Revival building following the hotel’s closure.

Practical information for guests and event planners

Guests with reservations for October 20 and later will have their bookings canceled and will be offered alternative arrangements. Events scheduled for 2026 and beyond are also canceled; Hyatt is evaluating moving affected events to the nearby Thompson Hotel. Individuals with questions about reservations or events should contact their booking agent or the property channels for specific guidance.

Next steps and unanswered questions

There has been no official statement from Bunkhouse Hotels regarding the hotel’s sale or employee impacts related to the closure. The future of the building and property use remains uncertain. Local preservation status and potential reuse of the historic building will likely be part of discussions between owners, city officials, and preservation bodies in the months ahead.

Summary of key facts

  • Closure date: October 20, 2025
  • Years in operation: 15 years (opened 2010)
  • Restaurant: Ocho closed June 29, 2025
  • Ownership change: Hyatt acquired Standard International in 2024
  • Rewards program: Not included in World of Hyatt list released July 2025
  • Historic building: Constructed 1914 by Edward Franz Melcher; listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Reservations and events: Bookings from Oct 20 onward canceled; events for 2026 and beyond canceled

Key features

Feature Detail
Location River Walk, downtown San Antonio
Closure date October 20, 2025
Years of operation 15 years (opened 2010)
Restaurant Ocho (closed June 29, 2025; renovations planned)
Ownership Parent company acquired by Hyatt Hotels in 2024
Historic status Listed on the National Register of Historic Places; building constructed in 1914

Timeline

Date/Time Event Status / Source
1914 The building housing Hotel Havana was originally constructed in 1914 by grocer Edward Franz Melcher as a temporary home for visiting vendors. Historical record / National Register of Historic Places
2010 Hotel Havana opened. Opening year noted in property history
2024 Hyatt Hotels acquired Standard International, the parent company of Bunkhouse Hotels (owners of Hotel Havana). Corporate acquisition
June 29, 2025 Ocho recently closed on June 29, 2025, with plans for renovations announced by Executive Chef Jesse Kuykendall via social media. Property announcement / social media
July 2025 Hotel Havana was not included in the World of Hyatt rewards program list released in July 2025. Rewards program listing
October 20, 2025 Hotel Havana will cease operations on October 20, 2025. Closure notice
2026 and beyond Events scheduled for 2026 and beyond are also canceled. Event cancellation notice

Simple visual statistics

Counts of key listed events and changes (visual bar chart):

Closures
2

Ownership changes
1

Rewards listing changes
1

Bar widths are proportional to raw counts listed above (2 = largest).

FAQ

When will Hotel Havana cease operations?

Hotel Havana, a boutique hotel on the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, will cease operations on October 20, 2025.

How long was Hotel Havana in operation?

The closure marks the end of 15 years of service since the hotel opened in 2010.

What happens to reservations and events?

Guests with reservations for October 20 and later will have their bookings canceled and will be offered alternative arrangements.

Events scheduled for 2026 and beyond are also canceled.

What is the status of the hotel’s restaurant, Ocho?

Ocho recently closed on June 29, 2025, with plans for renovations announced by Executive Chef Jesse Kuykendall via social media.

Who owns the hotel now?

Hyatt Hotels acquired Standard International, the parent company of Bunkhouse Hotels (owners of Hotel Havana), in 2024.

Hotel Havana was not included in the World of Hyatt rewards program list released in July 2025.

What is the history of the building?

The building housing Hotel Havana was originally constructed in 1914 by grocer Edward Franz Melcher as a temporary home for visiting vendors.

Has the owner said what will happen next?

There has been no official statement from Bunkhouse Hotels regarding the hotel’s sale or employee impacts related to the closure.

It is unclear what will become of the Mediterranean Revival building following the hotel’s closure.


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STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER

The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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