Another Shining Achievement

San Antonio stunner only hotel in Texas among U.S. News & World Report's best of 2020

Hotel Emma is the 10th best hotel in the country.

San Antonio's most lauded hotel is checking in with another big accolade. On Tuesday, February 4, U.S. News & World Report released its 10th annual 25 Best Hotels in the USA rankings, and Hotel Emma made the prestigious list.

To determine the best hotels, U.S. News analyzed more than 30,000 luxury hotels across the globe using data from TripAdvisor and including previous awards the properties may have won. It then ranked the top 25 hotels in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. (It's unclear why South America, Africa, and Asia were excluded.)

Hotel Emma was ranked No. 10 among U.S. hotels, thanks to a 5-star rating from TripAdvisor users and four critic awards, including Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice 2019.

"Hotel Emma stands out among travelers for its cool culture," U.S. News said in it analysis. "Visitors marvel at the refined industrial elements featured throughout — particularly in the lobby — and are equally impressed with the quality of the accommodations. Guests report rooms to be exceptionally styled and comfortable, thanks to amenities like 48-inch flat-screen TVs, beds with Frette linens, and luxury bathrobes."

U.S. News alsopoints to the Emma's onsite dining options — Larder, Supper, and Sternewirth — as reasons foodie travelers should check out the hotel, pointing out that "the food is just as much of a staple here as beer used to be."

Taking the top spot this year was Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Lanai City, Hawaii. That was followed by The Langham (No. 2) and The Peninsula (No. 3), both of which are in Chicago. Rounding out the top five were Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida (No. 4) and Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (No. 5).

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Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon offering a service no one carrier is: nonstop trips between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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