Noble Inns

We can say for the most part that we enjoyed our stay at Oge House. We stayed in the beautiful private and large River Suite for three nights. It is located in historic King Williams district and is walking distance to great restaurants. The riverwalk is directly behind the Oge House making it convenient to walk to the Alamo and downtown. The mansion is in need of some repairs on the front porch. There was a hole in the floor boards with a yellow caution sign over it that my husband had to move so I could get a nice picture. It would have been nice to see some flowers in both urns on the front porch. The shower trim came off two times and we let them know, so hopefully that is fixed permanently since this is the most expensive room. The shower was difficult to operate. This is a Select Registry property so we expected everything to be in tip top shape. The breakfast was good, but on our last morning we were ushered out from breakfast after just 25 minutes so the next seating could eat. We had the 8:30 seating and the next one was suppose to be at 9:30. That really annoyed us. They do provide lemonade, but it was left out all day uncovered. It was peak flu season and we were uncomfortable trying it. The port and the chocolate chip cookies were a nice treat each evening.

We came to San Antonio for a weekend trip and absolutely loved it! The only downside was the Noble Inn. One of the most difficult parts of going to a new place is relying on photos, reviews, and friends' opinions on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. We could not have been more misled. We booked through hotels.com and the photo on hotels.com (as well as TripAdvisor) is their main property. However, expect to be placed in one of their satellite houses. We were placed in the Oge House, which is nothing like the picture! The room was outdated, not well-kept, and the shower was covered by what appeared to be a bedsheet and hooks, not even a shower curtain! On top of that, at check in the woman told us there was an extensive DVD library, so after dinner we went to the main house to check one out, only to be told we did not have access to this main property (pictured here). The Williams District is beautiful, right on the River Walk, but this hotel operation is misleading travelers.

The Oge house is everything you could want in an Airbnb. It is a beautiful Victorian style home in a great convenient location. The San Antonio River Walk is literally bright outside the house. There are great restaurants within an easy 5 minute walk and the main part of the Riverwalk with all the shops and restaurants is within about 15 minute enjoyable walk along the beautiful Riverwalk. The rooms are well appointed and literally everything you need is there. The host Don is very helpful in assisting you to select restaurants or things to see and do. Definitely a great place to stay.

I would not spend my money here, no value or charm! A bed and breakfast is the kind of place where you like to meet people and you can sit and tell each other about your day and what you found while exploring, If you wish. Without a social hour, no one gets to know anyone and dining in the dining room became very painful...nobody interacted with anybody else. I found it quite sad. The home it’s self is in a great location near the Riverwalk. Having said that, it’s very overpriced. We had a lower room with the so-called patio outside. Folks are allowed to smoke out there, which was evident by the butts laying around. Also leaves and debris. A bucket with a tube-coming from the air conditioner with all kinds of mold in it! Charming, NO!! The room itself is large with a comfortable bed. The other room has two wing chairs which are badly in need of better support. Breakfast was fine. You may be paying for location which is excellent but Hampton inn is a block down and a better alternative. We asked for lightbulbs for the living area that never came. No vacuuming for the days there, as I stared at the same dead mosquitoes and spider and bathroom floor crud in corners and some kind of goop around the nuts holding the toilet to the floor! We have stayed in many antebellum b & b’s, and you expect cracked plaster and lead paint, but not crummy patio tables and chairs too. One night I went to take a shower..no hot water! After several hours it was warm. All the inns we have stayed at offered wine and hot appetizers. This inn offers sherry with a note not to take too much, as ‘it should be sipped’..to make sure there is enough for other guests! How dumb am I suppose to be? I would also add, although I am nitpicking, when first arrived I noticed the guest soaps had been partially used and/or half empty. Our soaps were never replaced so it was a good thing I brought my own bar of soap to use in the shower. I also told the owner that the ice bucket was full of water, and there was a K cup left and the Keurig coffee maker had no replacement coffees in the holder. I would also say that the pillows were hard as rocks. The biggest problem is, it is grossly understaffed by incompetent employees, Who could care less about cleaning your room and supplying the necessary items for that room. Two hours after we checked out I got a phone call from Lauren who told me it was time for me to check out of my room and did I understand 11 o’clock was the check out. I told her I was at Mission San Jose and I had checked out!! I never got an apology, or a thank you for staying at Noble Inns! Inapt in every single way possible!!!!

First impression is of an elegant Victorian home, but much is left to be desired. Pillows very hard. All furniture lumpy and in need of reupholstering although mattress was fine. Mildew on shower curtain. Ash trays on porch were full to brim and not emptied in our 4 day stay. Second day there my husband had a conversation with innkeeper Lauren which ruined his stay. She was abrupt and rude and instead of feeling welcomed, he felt guests were an inconvenience. One morning we heard a guest at breakfast request an egg due to diabetes. She was told they would accommodate her since its a medical condition. Her husband said he would like an egg as well and he was told he would be charged extra for it because he did not have a medical condition! We could not believe it! what does an egg cost, twenty cents? And they were making it already so no extra trouble. Breakfast was okay, just average for a nice B and B. I will not recommend it or stay there again.

The Oge house bed and breakfast hosts an imposing figure and is beautiful upon entrance to the main lobby. The grounds were equally stunning. The house was beautiful and was a better price than one of the more upscale hotels. Our suite downstairs definitely showed the house's age, which was expected, but the upgrades of the tsubo jet tub were very welcome. The "fireplace" was amusing with it's lights, but was deeply lacking, as it only provided lights and a clicking noise, and no heat whatsoever was gained. Some of the creaking of the house gave an unsettling atmosphere causing little sleep to be had. The bed was comfortable and the headboard beautiful, but the blinds did not sufficiently blot out the 24/7 lighting outside, leading to more difficulty sleeping. The innkeeper at our arrival, "Lauren" seemed bothered by the imposition of having guests that she had to spend time serving. She complained of her duties in each encounter, making us want to stay away from the main areas to avoid her attitude as much as possible. The other innkeeper and the housekeeper seemed very friendly and more than happy to oblige. Breakfast was suitable and what you would expect for the price, but the lemonade in the lobby appeared to have spoiled and tasted terrible. With the attitude and sleeping difficulties of the venue, in future we will choose to stay on the riverwalk in a more mainstream and welcoming environment.

The Noble Inns are off future places to recommend or revisit. For a girls-only long weekend we decided a Bed & Breakfast would be more charming that a retail hotel so we booked a room at Oge House, one of the Noble Inns of San Antonio. Like an online dating profile the pictures and description are a bit more glamorous than the reality but the house has charm and its proximity and walk-ability to the Riverwalk, El Mercado, La Villita, The Alamo and other attractions is appealing. The staff is friendly and accommodating but unfortunately the same can’t be said for the owner Don Noble. While speaking to him about a problem he broke eye contact, sat down and starting working on his computer saying, “He had better things to do with his time”. This lack of hospitality especially from the Innkeeper himself was totally unexpected and sadly I feel the real problem stemmed from us not being a “traditional” couple. In summary, if you chose to check-in to Noble Inns I recommend you pack a Man for the visit if you expect courteous service.

We stayed the weekend at the Jackson House with my Brother and Sister-in-law from Michigan. The rooms were great and we loved the common area with coffee, water, fresh lemonade, Sherry and Port. The breakfasts served at Oge House were spectacular and not to be missed.

We arrived a little after the accepted check-in time of 3 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon in early June. The friendly young clerk on duty was charming and helpful. We were given maps and information and shown to our room on the first floor, a.k.a. the ground floor. It was a lovely two room suite with both interior and exterior access. We had our own tiny porch and it was a quick walk to the car to retrieve our luggage. The bed was large and comfortable, and the antique headboard nightstand combination was massive, almost taking up an entire wall. The air conditioner cooling, the TV large, the chairs comfortable. In the bathroom, we had an option of a large jacuzzi tub or shower. Breakfasts were tasty, filling and well prepared. Both the front and back porch were a welcome diversion before beginning a day of exploration. The interior public spaces were great for relaxing, reading, conversation, or just hanging out. The Oge House Inn is a southern girl’s dream come true—at least it was for this southern girl. Planted in the venerable King William District of San Antonio, bordering the quiet portion of the San Antonio River, it is a lovely and serene escape from the frantic hustle and bustle of the downtown area. However, all those sights and sounds are just a stone’s throw—walkable distance—away. An eclectic selection of restaurants is a brief five-minute stroll down Turner Street; the portion of the Riverwalk that backs up to The Oge House is a peaceful oasis and will take you anywhere you want to go. If your plans bring you to Central Texas, I highly recommend The Oge House for your next vacation. It is the perfect weekend or weekday retreat in this wonderful old city—the ultimate way of experiencing the charm and history of San Antonio.