Video: A Walk-Through of Hotel Emma

A recent trip to West Texas afforded the opportunity to indulge in a one-night stay at the Hotel Emma in San Antonio, one of my favorite city hotels. The property, which once housed the Pearl Brewery, is a joy to explore. Roman & Williams, which designed the hotel, did a masterful job taking references from the past and producing something wholly original. My favorite example is the Sternewirth Tavern & Club Room, where large brewing tanks have been turned into an intimate seating area for sharing a cocktail.

We opted to enjoy our deliciously tart margaritas in the guests-only library followed by a satisfying meal at Supper, the hotel restaurant described as “part farm table, part bistro table.” When we retired to our room, I was pleased to see that since my last visit, the hotel has started stocking my favorite Los Poblanos bath products, from the historic New Mexico property that grows its own lavender. Unfortunately, to reach our final destination on time we had to leave at dawn, but we were confident that we would be back again for another day trip soon.

Things to Do in San Antonio

We only had a few hours to explore San Antonio, but we enjoyed a quick stop at the Witte science museum, a great place for those traveling with children, and the McNay, which houses an impressive collection of modern art inside a large Spanish Revival home. We also squeezed in a bit of shopping at the nearby Tiny Finch and Dos Carolinas.

For more to do, read “A Perfect Day In... San Antonio.”