Estate Find

Vintage Hotel Key and Fob

El Tropicano Motor Hotel

Room 903

San Antonio Texas

Vintage key and green fob with white lettering.

In August of 1962, El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel opened its doors and what a glorious hotel it was. Having the distinction of being the first hotel built on the beautiful, historic San Antonio River, El Tropicano Motor Hotel – as it was known then – was the local headquarters for visiting presidents and movie stars. Named the “Texas Whitehouse” when President Johnson was in office, El Tropicano served as a second home for the first family. The White House press corps held their briefings here daily...Stars who have stayed at El Tropicano over the years include Rock Hudson, Danny Thomas, Tony Bennett, Jonathan Winters, Harry Morgan, George Hamilton, Dolly Parton, and the Rolling Stones. When the films Viva Max and The Americanization of Emily with Julie Andrews were being filmed on location in San Antonio, the cast and crew stayed at El Tropicano.