Maybe it’s me, but I didn’t have San Antonio—or even Texas, for that matter—on my short list of places to be this summer. But when I got an invitation to meet with celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech—the Dallas-based pro who works with everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian—during her pop-up at the city’s Hotel Emma, I had no choice but to throw some cowboy boots and sunscreen in a bag and hop on a plane.
I stayed for two nights, during which, yes, I got a facial that absolutely lived up to the hype but also had a chance to explore the city’s Pearl District, which feels more like a cute college campus than a neighborhood and is packed with restaurants, a music venue, and even a huge grocery-slash-food hall. Hotel Emma is smack-dab in the middle of it all, setting me up for two days of eating, relaxing, and even running on the gorgeous Riverwalk nearby. Keep reading for my full review of the stunning spot, which absolutely deserves to be on your bucket list—skincare-obsessed or not.
THE QUICK HITS: HOTEL EMMA EDITION
- Name: Hotel Emma
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Cost Per Night: $430+
- Best For: Romantic getaways and family trips
- While You’re Here, Visit: The Alamo, duh
- One-Word Vibe Check: Elegant
- Most Iconic Photo Spot: The Hotel Emma Library, where they serve up yummy margs in the evening
- Don’t Leave Without: Going for a walk or a run on the Riverwalk
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Hotel Emma occupies what used to be a brewery (Pearl Brewing Company, to be exact) and the founder made sure to keep the industrial vibe alive in the lobby with antique brewing equipment decorating the walls plus lots of exposed brick and dark wood. It‘s still surprisingly elegant, with soaring ceilings, comfortable seating areas, and even desks where you can set up to work. Off the lobby is a two-story library that’s open to guests only, and it also serves as a quiet spot to work or read (or, you know, quietly scroll on IG).
A view of Hotel Emma from the Riverwalk.
THE ROOMS
My room was large, but the bathroom was massive—with enough room for a toilet closet, walk-in shower, and claw-foot tub. The vibe was cozy but not stuffy, with dark wood molding and a huge armoire that housed the mini bar, safe, and—after turndown service at night—a little plate of macarons. FYI: The work table was made from mesquite, and if you like barbecue, you know why that’s special (Texas, baby!).
A peek at the huge bathroom.
THE AMENITIES
I spent a whooole lot of time posted up in the Hotel Emma library, which was always stocked with water bottles and felt like a respite from the Texas heat (it’s no joke, folks). In the mornings, it has coffee and mugs ready to go—and on weekend mornings, you get a full-service coffee bar. Around 3 p.m. every day, a hotel staffer starts shaking up margaritas, and—good news—you get a ticket for a complimentary drink when you check in.
The rooftop pool was also the perfect spot to post up, complete with great Wi-Fi and lots of shade beneath the umbrellas. It felt breezy and cool compared to the humidity elsewhere around town. And while the hotel doesn’t have a full-fledged spa just yet, they’re doing more pop-ups similar to Joanna Czech’s quick residency and, in the meantime, can hook you up with a treatment at the Hiatus Spa & Retreat, just a few steps away.
THE FOOD AND BEV
Hotel Emma has two main food spots: Supper, its full-service restaurant, and Sternewirth, a tavern where you actually sit in huge fermentation vessels (big beer things, that’s all you need to know) that have been repurposed into cozy, intimate banquettes. Hotel Emma’s signature cocktail is The Three Emmas—a blend of lager beer, rose cordial, sherry, and gin—named for the three women who played a role in the making of Pearl Brewing Company, and you should get it at both eateries, trust. Sternewirth has a loud, party-ready vibe, making it the perfect spot for drinks (although it might feel a little too scene-y for the fam). After that, you can just cross the lobby for dinner at Supper. Not to get too sappy, but I still think about their brussels sprouts and mushroom risotto.
A glimpse of Sternewirth.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Look, if you too have never given San Antonio a second (or even a first) thought, allow Hotel Emma to change your mind. The Pearl District is family-friendly (I can absolutely see myself dragging my husband and 1-year-old there in the future) and has everything you could ever want within arm’s reach. The hotel itself pairs history with a healthy dose of luxury—and damn, does it do it well.
(FYI: The writer received comped accommodations, meals, and spa experiences during this getaway.)
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor currently based in New York. She has more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty and wellness.
