Review: Hotel Emma

How did it strike you on arrival?
It's hard to believe this used to be an old brewery. Despite opening in 2015, this hotel has a timeless elegance that feels like a particularly luxurious stop on San Antonio's annual parade of homes tour.

Nice. Who else is here?
Elite explorers. Everyone is in awe of the hotel's interior design, surely among the best in San Antonio. Women in crisp, white blouses and stylish glasses sip on their complimentary check-in margaritas while their husbands in loafers, jeans, and blue blazers wheel their bags into the library to catch a peek at the 3,700-volume collection.

Once you've checked in (and checked out the library), you arrive at your room at last—what do you see?
The Plaza Suite boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Pearl Plaza that immediately make it worth the steep price tag. This one-bedroom beauty features a small sitting room and a separate dining/work area which makes hosting cocktails with friends before dinner easier than anticipated. Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.

After you get out of that tub, anything stand out among the provisions in your room?
The amenities are a beautiful display of the pride that the hotel has for the city. Guests can relax post-shower (or post-tub) in Guayabera robes custom-made by Dos Carolinas, and enjoy treats from the Ice Box, including local beer, farmers market provisions, and the makings for the world's best margarita. There is free wifi.

Next stop, food. What to do?
For starters, a Merit Roasting Co. coffee service is offered throughout the hotel, proving the staff knows that a caffeinated guest is a happy one. Culinary director John Brand has cooked up an array of options—Supper, Larder, and Sternewirth, all located within the hotel, are not only some of the best restaurants in the Pearl District, but in San Antonio period. Go Supper for supper (shocker) or brunch, Larder for lunch, and Sternewirth for your pregame cocktail.

Anything else you should be sure to check out while staying at Hotel Emma?
The rooftop pool is a great place to escape the crowds that often frequent the Pearl District. Order a drink while reading a book under a chic and shady cabana. Post-pool, head to the Hiatus Spa for a massage and facial. Or, if you're feeling like a homebody, book an in-room service and have Hiatus come to your suite. And one parting tip: Make sure to read up on the history of the hotel—the story would make even the wildest cast member of any Real Housewives series blush.

Great, so is it worth the price tag?
A stay at Hotel Emma is an absolute priority when visiting vibrant San Antonio. It manages to impress its guests on all fronts by offering fantastic food, luxurious local amenities, and an ambience that properly showcases the renaissance that has gripped the city.