Hotel Emma at Pearl on the Riverwalk

I sent this email to Hotel on March 29 and never got a response. I am writing about a recent stay at the Hotel Emma. I checked in on March 27th and checked out today, march 29th. This stay was supposed to be stress free break after a difficult work week. My stay was less than relaxing. I started out in room 307 and woke in the night with a terrible headache and my right eye tearing. The room smelled of smoke that was coming in through the vents or window. I called downstairs to ask about the smell and they sent someone with an air purifier. This led me to believe this must happen frequently. I ended up having to pack up my stuff and wait for another room on the other side of the hotel away from the outside fireplace and vents that were just outside my window. Later that afternoon I was given room 610 where I was able to take something for my head and relax a little. Shortly thereafter, the toilet in the bathroom started running non-stop. They sent up engineering and it was fixed. I did notice that the halls of the hotel also smell of smoke which leads me to believe there is a problem with the hotel's ventilation. The below picture shows the vents immediately outside the room. Given the cost of the room at the hotel, I expected a significantly better experience. For the cost of one night at the Hotel Emma, I could stay at The Plaza in Manhattan and had service and comfort that far exceeds the Hotel Emma. I think it is important for guests to know what to expect at the hotel especially given the cost and the smokey smell was not disclosed. Had I known, I would have stayed elsewhere for much less and a better experience.It was a very disappointing stay aside from the very kind people that work at the hotel.

Everything was in the luxury class. Not cheap. Impeccable service. The hotel is unique and detailed with exquisite taste. There is a library featuring the collection of a local scholar and they serve drinks. A very Zen hotel. Not sure if they have a gym but there is a small pool. Supper delivered excellent - though not adventurous - cuisine.

I’m pretty tough on hotel reviews. Two things, one, it was loud in our room when the AC (or whatever it was) came on a few times during the night. Secondly, the pillows were just too soft for my liking. That said, it wasn’t that loud, and I slept like a 3 year old after 5 hrs at the park. The bed was perfect, the sheets were excellent, the room service was phenomenal, and checking in and out was a breeze. I recommend the Supper restaurant, and the hotel bar was reminiscent of The Continental in the John Wick series, but better. It truly was the most relaxing place I have been too, and I have traveled the world.

I don't think when I next return to San Antonio I could envisage staying anywhere else. This is a really superb hotel in all ways, being quirky and interesting where it counts, but also stupendously reliable where it matters. What is good is that it has all the qualities of a big hotel - along with some charming additions you wouldn't expect - including a magnificent library (yes, truly) and several excellent shops and bars.... yet it does not feel like a big hotel at all. The only way I can describe it is rather like staying in a first-rate boutique hotel, without any of the compromises.

Hotel Emma exceeded our expectations. We absolutely LOVED our stay. We can’t wait to return. Everyone made our anniversary stay so special. Every single meal we had was amazing! I can’t believe how wonderful the staff was. We felt so luxurious and lucky to have enjoyed our stay.

The Hotel Emma in the Pearl District in San Antonio was like returning to a bygone era. The attention to detail with the repurposed brewery materials really heightened the experience. The Hotel, Staff, and Grounds were the best of the best and I will definitely return soon!