We review the best executive club lounges at hotels and the best San Antonio airport lounges, Texas, separately.
The River Walk is a great place to base yourself within downtown San Antonio. It flows through five miles of downtown with great shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. Look for the Spanish missions dating back to the eighteenth century. Enjoy beautiful art museums or theme parks if you’re with kids. Try the local puffy tacos, where traditional taco fillings meet a golden-fried, crispy, puffy tortilla.
If you want to stay in luxury in and around San Antonio, Texas, try Hotel Emma, St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mokara Hotel and Spa, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, and La Cantera Resort & Spa (which has a club lounge but is not centrally located for the city). Interestingly, the Hilton Palacio Del Rio has no club lounge, and neither does The Westin Riverwalk. Still, the Westin does have a beautiful hotel bar that opens onto the Riverwalk, and some of their suites have balconies over the Riverwalk, too, making it a good choice in San Antonio. Eilan Hotel & Spa lacks a club lounge too. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill County Resort & Spa also has no club lounge as it is a resort and spa Marriott.
I have compiled a list below containing the club lounges available across luxury hotels in San Antonio, Texas. I list the lounges that I consider to be the best of the best. I will be reviewing each of these hotel club lounges in detail so that you know what you’ll get if you book a room with club lounge access or get upgraded to a club lounge for free because of your loyalty status.
1. La Cantera Resort and Spa
While not actually in the city, La Cantera Resort and Spa is one of the best luxury hotels in the area. Set high atop the rolling hills, you will find the manicured grounds of the AAA® Four-Diamond La Cantera Resort & Spa. The Texas Hill Country resort offers a brand new state-of-the-art Loma de Vida Spa and Wellness Center and excellent nine restaurants and bars in one of the world’s largest and most famous ranches, the King Ranch, located in South Texas.
When you enter the lobby of La Cantera Resort & Spa, it features wood beams in the ceiling, a roaring stone fireplace, and Sire Bar with warm wood, rustic colors, and furnishings. Designs throughout the resort lend a nod to this historic “Big House” at King Ranch.
La Cantera sits on 550 Acres at the crest of Texas Hill Country. Two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses offer some of the most scenic vistas in the Texas Hill Country. The Resort Course at La Cantera, a PGA Tour stop for 15 years, was designed by noted golf course architect Jay Morrish and PGA Tour professional Tom Weiskopf. The second championship, The Palmer Course at La Cantera, was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer and was voted the #8 golf course in Texas by Golf Magazine in 2016.
Beyond the resort, there are numerous dining, shopping, and active options within a few minutes of the resort. Guests can enjoy Top Golf, iFly, and Fiesta Texas, as well as dining and luxury shopping at The Rim and Shops at La Cantera. All just a complimentary shuttle ride away.
Step back into time exploring Missions, all part of the World Heritage Sites, stroll along the Riverwalk, and experience the serene and beautiful countryside, all within 20 minutes of La Cantera’s Location.
La Cantera Resort and Spa has the best club lounge in San Antonio, Texas, named SEVEN. Here, you can enjoy private access and elevated views on the 7th floor. SEVEN represents the premier “adults-only” guest floor experience in Texas. While the resort takes pride in being very family-friendly, SEVEN is one of several thoughtful adult areas throughout the resort.
SEVEN is much more than an adults-only guest room and floor. Your SEVEN experience commences with the complimentary valet as your personal concierge escorts you to your private check-in. Sip on Champagne in the private SEVEN lounges and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks. This lounge is worth the paid upgrade.
The SEVEN rooms enjoy elevated bath products, Nespresso machines, and daily access to Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness. Perhaps this is the most valuable perk of all, as you have access to the spa pool. The infinity pool is particularly gorgeous at this resort, with great views. The golf is also excellent at the Palmer Course.
2. Grand Hyatt San Antonio
Grand Hyatt San Antonio embraces historic Texan hospitality on the River Walk and celebrates the history and charm of the Alamo City with an elegant style. It is a smart hotel just steps from the River Walk in the heart of downtown San Antonio. It has a nice fitness area and a heated outdoor pool open all year round.
The Grand Club Lounge at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio serves food and drinks for most of the day and is your best club lounge choice in downtown San Antonio.
Breakfast is excellent for a club lounge with hot options, eggs, sausages, hot oatmeal, bagels, bread, jam (jelly), cereal, muffins, yogurts, cheese, tomato, cold cuts, and fruit. Oddly, there are also Tortillas with sauces and cheese for breakfast.
Mid-afternoon snacks are nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate-covered pretzels, all set up in glass jars on marble work surfaces that you can help yourself to.
The evening hors d’oeuvres include cheese and crackers, salad items like cucumber, tomato, etc., vegetables, cold cuts, and a hot meat dish like chicken. Enough to fill you up.
The alcoholic drinks are at a cost but are the cheapest of any club lounge in the area, with wine costing $3 USD for a glass and $4 USD for a beer or spirit. Dessert options are really nice, too. Little chocolate cakes, brownies, and cupcakes are usually on offer.
3. Marriott Plaza San Antonio
There are a number of Marriott properties in the downtown area of San Antonio. The historic St. Anthony is probably the nicest option. Still, St. Anthony does not have a club lounge. Instead, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members are given a breakfast voucher of $12 USD credit, which covers only the continental breakfast, with the remainder of the menu available at a cost. There are three other Marriotts in town: a Westin (no lounge) and the Sheraton, which is your worst choice.
Marriott Plaza San Antonio describes itself as a “Downtown San Antonio Oasis near the River Walk”. This Rewards Category 4 Marriott sits on 6 acres of natural, lush Texas landscape right in downtown San Antonio.
This Marriott Plaza is located just two blocks from the famous River Walk. Dine at Anaqua Restaurant & Grille, overlooking the courtyard with Asian pheasants and Scarlett, their resident free-roaming peahen. Take a dip in the outdoor heated pool with a seasonal pool sidebar. Unwind at the end of the day with a cocktail at the new courtyard fire pits.
The hotel is within walking distance of The Alamo, La Villita Historic Art Village, Hemisfair Park, and Tower of the Americas, or get some shopping in at the Rivercenter Mall. Keep up on your fitness routine in the state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, or get down to business in 17,000 ft² of event space within close proximity to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center.
The executive club lounge at this Marriott is small, with high seats and comfy sofa seats, along with a balcony for fresh air. Breakfast is impressive for a club lounge with hot scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausages, bacon, bread, Danish pastries, spreads, fruits, and cereals. The evening’s food is excellent, with buffalo wings, chicken balls, and jumbo shrimp rotated and refilled regularly, more than enough for dinner. There is no free alcohol, just an honor bar at hotel bar prices.
They close this lounge at weekends, although it is key accessible for water and soft drinks. Marriott Platinum members get coupons to use for breakfast in the main restaurant on weekends.
4. Marriott Rivercenter
Marriott Rivercenter and the Marriott Riverwalk also both have club lounges. Marriott Rivercenter is ideally located to explore the River Walk because of its downtown location in San Antonio. It can also get very busy with conference attendees visiting one of the many exhibitions and conventions that take place in San Antonio.
This is a Marriott Bonvoy awards category five hotel. Enjoy spacious rooms and River Walk attractions, including exhibitions at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the Shops at Rivercenter, fun activities at Legoland Discovery Center San Antonio, and Sea Life San Antonio Aquarium, or visit the Alamo.
Rooms and suites feature pillowtop mattresses, flat-screen TVs, ample desks, and Wi-Fi. Concierge level rooms grant access to club lounge amenities, and suites offer generous living and dining rooms. There is a modern gym or you can go for a swim in their indoor-outdoor pool.
Delicious Southwestern cuisine is on the menu at Sazo’s restaurant, and handcrafted cocktails are a specialty of The Bar. For those planning San Antonio events, the hotel boasts more than 60,000 ft² of versatile space, ideal for everything from weddings to trade shows.
This Marriott club lounge is one of the best in downtown San Antonio, although it closes on weekends after breakfast. The food in this club lounge is excellent. Breakfast includes a hot dish, usually scrambled eggs mixed with veggies and plain scrambled eggs, cold cuts, cheeses, bread, cereals, etc. The evening food is substantial, with things like beef chili, chicken dishes, and competent staff.
5. San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk
San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk is a Rewards Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy hotel nestled on San Antonio’s River Walk and opposite the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. It is well maintained and sits directly on a nice section of the riverwalk, attached to a classy mall with an excellent food court (so you don’t necessarily need a club lounge at this hotel). It is also right beside an IMAX theatre and is a short walk to the Alamo.
The newly renovated San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk is in a prime location for both business and leisure travelers alike to connect, meet, and unwind. Recently renovated hotel rooms come with stunning views of either downtown San Antonio or the picturesque River Walk. Rooms include a nightly turndown service to complimentary Wi-Fi for Rewards Members.
Those wishing to host a special occasion or important business meeting can take advantage of over 17,000 ft² of event space. The outdoor terrace with a backdrop of the scenic River Walk is a popular place both to host an event or to catch up with friends over dinner and a cocktail. Finally, after a busy day at work and play in San Antonio, head to their state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with headphones, chilled towels, magazines, plus a great indoor pool.
This Marriott concierge club lounge has a great continental breakfast, including an eggs & bacon option. Decent appetizers styled towards Tex-Mex are served in the evening, followed by light desserts. This club lounge is, however, closed on weekends.
6. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is an incredibly classy Hyatt nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country. Twenty minutes from downtown San Antonio, this resort provides a memorable experience combining authentic Texas hospitality with the comfort and charm of a country ranch house.
Hyatt Hill Country’s best feature is its five-acre water park that includes a 950-foot lazy river, a big activity pool, a zero-entry beach area, a baby pool, and a twisting 22-foot water slide. The water park is well-shaded and is ideal for family getaways. You could spend days here with the kids enjoying this magical park.
There is a Regency Club Lounge, but unfortunately, it tends to be closed. The lounge is only open seasonally. Apparently, it’s open in July and August. This means that Globalist World of Hyatt members get a full breakfast for two adults and two children in the Springhouse Cafe. For everyone else, there is simply no club lounge access for most of the year.
7. Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio
Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio is an older property with a beautiful lobby that combines modern decor with historic finishes. It is a historic hotel, centrally located downtown and within walking distance of plenty of attractions. The rooms are small with tiny bathrooms and unmemorable decor, with complaints of noisy air conditioning.
Club floor rooms provide access to the club lounge, offering breakfast and savory bites in the evening. Breakfast gets used up early, with hot dishes used up if you get in late, although cereals are still available. The evening canapes here are fairly limited to pastries, jalapeño mixes, and cheddar cheeses with crackers. This lounge is a pleasant place to relax and enjoy cocktails and wine, but wine and other alcoholic drinks are not free.
8. San Antonio Airport Hotel Located Near The Alamo
San Antonio Airport Hotel (used to be Marriott Northwest) does not have a good reputation in San Antonio, but it does have a pool a free shuttle service to the nearby San Antonio International Airport, and free parking. It does have a club lounge but is one of the worst Marriott hotel choices in San Antonio.
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