Lauded lodging

San Antonio darling named best hotel in Texas by U.S. News & World Report

Hotel Emma checks in — again — with a No. 1 spot.

Photo by Jason Risner

San Antonio’s much-honored Hotel Emma remains the darling among Texas hotels. In the continuing cascade of accolades, a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report puts Hotel Emma atop the hotel hierarchy in the Lone Star State.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the best hotels in Texas based on its analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings, and user ratings. After the publication sifted through all of that data, Hotel Emma — a cornerstone of the super-popular Pearl district — comes out on top in Texas.

In all, four hotels in San Antonio appear on the magazine’s list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, including the Emma, The St. Anthony, Mokara Hotel & Spa, San Antonio, and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

Houston, meanwhile, has five properties in the top 15; its highest-ranked hotel is Hotel Granduca (No. 2). “From the gourmet cuisine at Ristorante Cavour to afternoon tea, this property knows how to help guests slow down and unwind,” U.S. News & World Report raves about Hotel Granduca.

In Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, three hotels make the top 15 in each region.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek earns the top spot in DFW (No. 3). U.S. News & World Report says this property, which sits north of the Dallas Arts District, supplies “the tranquility needed for a good night’s sleep alongside the convenience of a relatively central location.”

Four Seasons Hotel Austin grabs the top spot in the Capital City (No. 5). U.S. News & World Report points out that the Four Seasons “earns rave reviews from travelers thanks to its sumptuous atmosphere and extremely friendly service staff.”

However, it’s San Antonio’s beloved Hotel Emma that gets the most love from U.S. News & World Report. The magazinenotes that Hotel Emma “stands out among travelers for its cool culture.”

In lauding the boutique hotel’s cool factor, the publication gives a nod to Hotel Emma’s transformation from the former Pearl brewery to a high-end destination. U.S. News & World Report highlights the presence at Hotel Emma of many of the brewery’s original architectural features.

“Visitors marvel at the refined industrial elements featured throughout — particularly in the lobby — and are equally impressed with the quality of the accommodations,” U.S. News & World Report says.

Guest rooms at Hotel Emma are “exceptionally styled and comfortable,” thanks to amenities like 48-inch flat-screen TVs, beds with Frette linens, and luxury bathrobes.

U.S. News & World Report also spotlights the veritable buffet of food options served up by Hotel Emma, which debuted in 2015. “Foodies can take advantage of the on-site concierge for recommendations in the area, or they can grab some house-butchered meats at Larder, enjoy small plates at Sternewirth or sample the farm-to-table fare at Supper,” the publication says.

U.S. News & World Report also highlights Hotel Emma’s rooftop pool, fitness center, library, and gift shop, as well as its stellar customer service and its prime location just north of downtown San Antonio.

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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 introduce long-awaited nonstop flights 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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