The Hyatt offers meeting planners headed to San Antonio three completely different experiences depending on which of the brand’s hotels you choose to stay at. This past fall, I was lucky enough to score a FAM trip that included stays at two of the three hotels, with a tour of the third.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
Meeting Mood: Away from It All but Close to Everything
If you’re looking for an out-of-the-way retreat that is conveniently close to it all, consider Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. Although it’s just off the highway and 20 minutes to downtown San Antonio, as you drive up the road to the estate, framed by the canopy of heirloom oaks, you feel the stress of the everyday lift. The hotel was once the Rogers-Wiseman ranch, and many spots throughout the resort are named for the family’s ancestors, including Aunt Mary’s Porch, Pat’s Playground, Henry’s Hollow and Vince’s Watering Hole. One of the halls near the meeting spaces includes a photo gallery that tells the story of the family.
The resort is expansive with multiple spaces to choose from. The Luckenbach Pavilion is a wonderful, golf-course-adjacent, covered open-air venue. The RW Pavilion is fully enclosed for year-round comfort but has a rustic, outdoor feel. The three ballrooms include the oversized Independence Ballroom at 20,200 square feet, the large Hill Country Ballroom at 13,590 square feet, and the more intimate Fredericksburg Ballroom at 5,712 square feet. There is also ample pre-function and meeting breakout space.
The amenities of the resort are what you’ve come to expect from a high-end luxury retreat and include the Windflower Spa, the casual Charlie’s Long Bar and the full-service, high- end restaurant, Antler’s Lounge. For activities, there is the Hill Country Golf Club with 27 holes of golf in diverse terrain, a 5-acre water park, and a FlowRider Wave Machine for surfing or wave-boarding sans ocean waves. And most mornings you can join the on-site naturalist in feeding the animals that call Hill Country Resort home.
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
Meeting Mood: Smack Dab in the Middle of It All
Located directly on San Antonio’s famed Riverwalk, the mood at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio is “make time for fun.” As you step in the front door, you can see the water beyond the lower level doors and the hustle and bustle of the crowd enjoying the day. This is the only hotel on the Riverwalk, and it takes advantage of its prime location within walking distance of the Alamo and other visitor destinations.
The hotel features two ballrooms: the Regency at 10,700 square feet and the Rio Grande at 4,264 square feet. Plenty of smaller spaces allow for meetings of all sizes—from board meetings of 18 to breakouts of 110 classroom-style. The Losoya Conference Center directly across the street from the hotel also offers a great option for groups of up to 250 for receptions, banquets and lectures. And nearby is La Vista Terrace, a stunning setting for a VIP party, wedding or private celebration. Overlooking the Alamo, this penthouse is luxurious without losing its warmth, comfortable without sacrificing elegance and has a full kitchen, living room with fireplace, and both indoor and outdoor spaces to gather and commiserate.
The hotel’s amenities include a rooftop pool and fitness center, the delicious Q Kitchen and welcoming Q Bar. And of course, there is the entire Riverwalk just beyond the doors, waiting to be explored.
Grand Hyatt
Meeting Mood: Business by Day, Relax by Night
With 115,000 square feet of meeting and event space and its location adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the Grand Hyatt knows how to get down to business. But don’t let that fool you. The hotel is steeped in luxury and includes two upscale entertaining options: Ruth’s Chris Steak House for fine dining and Bar Rojo for handcrafted cocktails. The hotel also has a stunning outdoor heated pool overlooking the city that can be used for private receptions.
This Hyatt is right on the Riverwalk, as well, albeit, on a more peaceful side of the famed attraction. When you’re ready to get into the mix, you’re just a stroll away to the more heavily trafficked paths, but you can relax by the water in quiet if you prefer. The hotel has three floors of meeting space, including the 21,222-square-foot Lone Star Ballroom on the second floor and the 30,906-square-foot Texas Ballroom on the fourth. The total meeting space equals, more than 115,000 square feet, and its décor, as suggested by the hotel’s brand, is grand.
Off the Agenda
San Antonio is a dynamic city, energized by its rich culture of art, fine dining and history. There are the obvious—but no less fascinating—sight-seeing musts, such as the Alamo and Mission Trail. I was also able to sneak away to the Historic Market Square and pick up some local art and make a trip to the lively Pearl Weekend Market, a relatively new attraction for the city. I also enjoyed a fabulous introduction to San Antonio via GO RIO Cruises.
If you’d like to hold an event away from the hotel, choose one of the city’s celebrated restaurants, such as Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar (ironcactus.com). Set right on the Riverwalk, the restaurant has five private dining rooms which can accom- modate 40 to 500 guests. The atmosphere is upscale without being fussy, the food is superb, and the service is attentive and gracious. For farm-to-table culinary artistry, try Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar. The restaurant is located outside of downtown San Antonio and almost hidden away on the Alley on the Bitters. The warm and welcoming husband-and-wife team of PJ and Lindsey Edwards are focused on seasonality, with plenty of vegetarian options. The Meadow has a private dining room, a bar and a large outdoor courtyard with fireplace, and the entire restaurant is available for buyouts.
San Antonio deserved so much more time than the three days I spent there. That’s why I’m already making plans for my return.
