Guess who's back

San Antonio airport hotel embarks on $36 million renovation following surprising shutter

Renovations will include a new ballroom, patio bar, pool, and fitness center.

The Holiday Inn San Antonio International Airport is getting a new name — and a whole new look.

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, hotel employees learned in May they would be laid off and the Holiday Inn would close for renovation after then-owner San Antonio Falcon Hotel LLC decided to sell the property.

The new owners, a joint venture led by The Bricton Group and The Gettys Group (both based in Chicago), purchased the hotel after it closed in July.

On August 22, it was announced that the new owners are embarking on a $36 million renovation of the prime property. Under its new name, the Marriott San Antonio Airport Hotel is scheduled to reopen in fall 2020.

Featuring 365 guest rooms, the Marriott San Antonio Airport will offer new meeting spaces, a 5,400-square-foot ballroom, patio bar, and pool. Other amenities include a fitness center and several restaurant and dining options.

The Bricton Group, a hotel management company, and The Gettys Group, a hotel design and development firm, are partnering on the project with San Antonio-based Overland Partners Architects.

“We immediately recognized the potential of this landmark airport property, which is close to downtown San Antonio, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and local shopping and dining,” Ed Doherty, Bricton Group president and CEO, said in a release.

The San Antonio airport has seen record numbers of travelers, including 10 million people passing through in just 2018, making the property and project such an attractive endeavor, according to the release.

“San Antonio is becoming a top-tier investment location,” Doherty says. “Business is booming with a highly-educated and highly-trained workforce, great tech, and strong upward momentum. We’re excited to be a part of the city’s growth and are looking forward to working with the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, local businesses, and others who are making the area such a vibrant business and leisure destination.”

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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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