Hotel Emma
Hotel Emma, located in San Antonio, Texas, is everything and more to be found in a luxury hotel. It is welcoming, it is romantic, it is family-friendly, it is the quintessential location for a girlfriend getaway or night away. It is impeccably designed, smells divine, and has all the charm. From the alluring nooks to the personable service, every aspect of Hotel Emma feels uniquely crafted to create the ultimate hotel experience.
Our family of four spent a weekend at Hotel Emma while attending a family wedding in San Antonio. We fell in love with the hotel the moment we pulled up to the swoon-worthy patio entrance. We were immediately greeted by the valet team, who were incredibly helpful and organized; we did not even see them whisk away our car and luggage as they escorted us to the reception desk. At the reception desk we received a warm welcome followed by a tour of the hotel amenities on the way to our room. Our enchantment with the hotel began on that tour and followed us through our stay.
Upon check-in at the hotel, guests receive wooden tokens to exchange for a complimentary afternoon cocktail served in the Library. The Library is one of the best spaces in the hotel. It has the warmth of a lush reading room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, but carries the vibe of an upbeat lounge. It is the perfect ambiance to relax and enjoy the hotel’s tasty, hand-crafted cocktails. Leather chairs and cozy corners fill the first floor, while the second floor counter-style seating overlooks the ornamental staircase and first floor. My husband and I were able to sneak in a little alone time and enjoy our cocktails on the second floor of the Library taking in all the details and good music – one of my favorite moments from our Hotel Emma visit.
Another fabulous spot at Hotel Emma is the pool. Located on the third floor rooftop, the pool area boasts luxurious lounge chairs, a self-serve sunscreen (yes, it is Supergoop!), towel and flip-flop stand, and the most delicious beverage truck with poolside snacks. The pool is an enjoyable conversation style pool with a perimeter bench and is immaculately maintained. The good part of an afternoon could easily be spent poolside. On Friday, we spent several hours here with our kids. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My husband and I thought the frozen margarita and mojito were great and our kids loved the fresh lemonade. We were so appreciative of the amenities (sunscreen, towels and attentive service) that made it easy to enjoy the pool. If it wasn’t for a time constraint, we would have stayed all day.
Essentially everything edible at Hotel Emma is fabulous, especially at the hotel’s restaurant, Supper. The crisp, clean yet comfortable style of the restaurant creates a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the cozy indoor seating, there is patio seating that overlooks the Riverwalk and counter seating in the lively bar area. Before leaving on Sunday morning, we walked down to Supper for breakfast and it did not disappoint. The English muffin, avocado toast, waffles with whipped cream and blueberries, and smoked bacon were delicious. We did not make a reservation since we ate early, but during our stay it looked like it may be best to make a reservation for popular meal times. A meal (or two) at Supper is another must-do at Hotel Emma.
And don’t forget to pop in another Hotel Emma culinary delight, Larder – a quaint yet sophisticated market stocked with elevated essentials (groceries, coffee, wine, prepared foods). If there is a need for a little snack, caffeine fix or casual glass of wine, this is the spot.
The Riverwalk area adjacent to the hotel combines Hotel Emma charm with the tradition of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Just steps from the hotel’s entrance, this access point to the Riverwalk features freshly paved trails, lush landscaping, and scenic views. It is an outdoor area for all types – runners, walkers, and those on a casual Riverwalk stroll. Unfortunately, we did not get to spend a lot time in this area, but the short walk we took was all we needed to know that we will take advantage of this outdoor amenity on our next visit.
In addition to the Riverwalk area, Hotel Emma is steps from Pearl. Pearl is a walkable area filled with restaurants and shops centered around a spacious park area with a lawn and water feature. The cuisine options seem almost limitless and the unique shops offer an array of items; there is even a weekend farmer’s market. The convenience of this area full of food and entertainment is unbeatable. After our three hour car ride to San Antonio on Friday, we checked in to our room and quickly walked over to Pearl to eat a tasty meal on the patio at Southerleigh and play on the lawn. The ease of accessing Pearl and all it has to offer helped make a smooth transition out of our travel mode. If you want to know more about Pearl, you can check out the website – here.
The charm of the common areas of Hotel Emma carries into the rooms. The iconic Hotel Emma bathroom (all the blue and white) is just as fabulous in person as it is in all the well-known images. Other things to love about the accommodations are the soft sheets, conveniently placed outlets, Texas-style mini bar, and the turndown service that provides fresh water, mouthwatering macaroons and little sleep packs that include a perfectly scented sleep mist. Since we had both kids with us, we stayed in a Landmark queen room to have some extra space – it was just right for us.
If you have the opportunity to stay at Hotel Emma, take it. The quality service, accommodations, amenities, and “no car needed” location make it one of my all-time favorites hotels. We will be back, with or without or kids, to enjoy some more of that Hotel Emma charm.
For more information and accommodations at Hotel Emma, visit the website – here.