Two weeks before the new school year began, we took off to San Antonio…our “lets flee to the hills” city. (One would think we’d be ready to pack and move shop already, considering the number of trips we make up there!)
An invitation to stay at the gorgeous J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa didn’t need any should we…should we nots at all.
Our memories from last year triggered off enough push to get those bags packed and loaded in the car.
And this time round we decided we were not going to budge from the hotel because we missed way too much the last time round!
Wise decision?…
Definitely!
This property make families their business!
I haven’t met a family staying at the J.W. who has said their kids were bored.
However could they be?
The weekend was packed with something to do, irrespective of the time of the day.
If the kids weren’t jumping into the pool
or gliding down the Lazy River with Mom and Dad, you’d most likely see them playing games on the lush greens or productively making jewelry or creating art.
Late evenings saw long winding lines enveloping around dedicated pits, to make deliciously, messy, S’mores (Mmmm) and movies at the pool. Indoors, the grown-ups relaxed to the strums and strains of musicians bringing the heart of Texas into the lounge.
Fiesta!
The hotel grounds reminded me of a huge, summer, fiesta…
kids playing catch, giggling excitedly in high pitched tones,
parents catching up with friends’ lives and
grandparents taking quiet, bliss-filled, strolls along the paved paths.
We didn’t even have to go to the zoo!
The J.W. actually brought a snatch of the zoo to us with their Saturday morning Zoo-magination event.
The one-on-one animal encounters gave the kids their zoo fill. So we skipped a visit to the zoo!
And the food?
Oh my goodness…the food?
A feast!
We sampled gorged in 3 restaurants on property and have listed them in reigning order of preference…
18 Oaks
Even if you don’t eat anywhere else, this is one place you shouldn’t miss!
The brunch here is worthy of a separate post in itself!!
Everything pulled off the brunch buffet was fresh, packed with flavor and sourced from the Hill Country area or several miles away. We ate Texas grown, reared, purchased, everything…and boy, was it good!
I just wish I had the capabilities of a camel to store more food as there were quite a few things I had to give a miss, only because I didn’t want to waste a crumb.
I have to say the freshly made breads and the assortment of desserts made my heart go flippy-flop…
My weaknesses!
And the ambiance, complete with a rustic, Texas feel and entwined with influences from nature and golf,
made this dining experience one of our favorites.
Cibolo Moon
This restaurant was our favorite the last time round.
It’s definitely more affordable on the pocket and the breakfast buffet wins a honorable crown with my kids. The freshly squeezed orange juice is by far the best I’ve tasted. And their Cibolo Moon Omelettes with a dash of salsa, though just eggs, has to be sampled to understand what I mean when I say this.is.yum!!
The dinner buffet was something else I really enjoyed because none of the food on the adult’s buffet counter was overly-doused with spices or herbs. Everything was seasoned just enough to add variety, yet preserving the original flavors of the meat or veggies.
The kids counter was very kid-friendly with Mac n Cheese, Chicken Tenders and Beans. (You can imagine how relieved my 6 year old was when she realized she didn’t have to eat a plate filled with veggies …and more veggies!)
I also love that the dessert portions were wisely sized and not sickeningly rich. (The tart was delicious!)
Replenish
Eating at a spa restaurant was a first for our family.
The food was refreshing and seemed as if it was cooked just enough to ensure all the required nutrients stayed within… but not leaving anything raw to the palette.
I admit that I’m not a big fan of lightly seasoned food (blame it on my Desi genes!) so I wasn’t as excited about the food as perhaps the women at the table near us. They’d just finished a spa-detox session and loved every morsel they ate.
A visual treat!
Photographs always help sum up everything else that needs to be said, in the best possible way…
so here’s a 2 minute slideshow with pictures taken on property during our stay.
Wow! I’m ready to pack my bags and leave again!!
You too?
Well Christmas is close approaching and the hotel has some wonderful festivities planned.
Last year , for a nominal price, guests could request Elves to come to their rooms in the night, with milk and cookies. They’d read a story to the child(ren), tuck them into bed and then sneak away.
And ofcourse you have stories by the fireplace with Santa or Mrs Clause, can jump into a frigid pool with the Elves and watch Santa float down the Lazy River, Texas style!
Package rates for this year’s holidays were just sent to me, so here they are, hot off the press…
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You can be sure to enjoy a Texas Christmas your family will be talking about years from now!
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* For the latest J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Buzz, visit/follow their Facebook updates *
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** E.B. Mommy Tip: When you check out of the hotel, grab directions to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch that’s close-by. It’s definitely worth the drive-through. **
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**EBMR Disclaimer: The JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa hosted my family for a weekend. This article has not been monetarily compensated or influenced in any way. My family loves this property for more reasons than one!**
About Marina
What a great review! The hotel is beautiful. I love all the “extras”. I think it’s perfect for families and couples!
I love when you share about San Antonio hotels! We love going to San Antonio and I have a list of great hotels thanks to you! This one looks amazing!
Mariah recently posted..Paper Plate Pumpkin Craft
Twitter: FabFindsbyTiff
says:
What a neat looking place. San Antonio is on my list of places to visit. I want to stay here, looks like a great hotel. Thanks for the amazing review and all the food photos. Now I’m hungry.
Tiffany Cruz recently posted..When Is It Time To Give In
Twitter: mommykerrie
says:
Jealous! I love to travel with our kids … heading here sometime in the next few years. Thanks for the review!
Kerrie McLoughlin recently posted..Gifts for My Girlfriends Blog Hop Prize Package! Ends 9/27
Wow, that looks like an amazing hotel! I love that they brought the zoo animals in for the kids, that is such a nice touch!
The Rebel Chick recently posted..Win a Trip for 4 to Walt Disney World!
Wow, I would love that place too! it looks absolutely amazing! Definitely a place to stay if we ever get down to Texas!!
Amber Edwards recently posted..Destinations Inn World Class Theme Suites, A Destination for Every Occasion
what an amazing hotel! i would love to stay somewhere like that
Kristyn Kilcullen recently posted..Fall 2012 Glam Beauty Board Box Review and Photos
I’ve been wanting to visit San Antonio. Now I know where to stay! Thanks so much for this fantastic review.
deb recently posted..Tang Dongbai Airbrush Art Is Simply Amazing!
Twitter: francinehavekidswillcoupon.com
says:
I think I am going to have to visit San Antonio soon. What an amazing looking place!!!
Francine recently posted..Enter to WIN a $10 Kohls Gift Card and a $5 Starbucks Gift Card
Wow! It’s like an all-inclusive resort, but right here in the US instead of on some Carribean island! Sounds like a blast, and really reasonable too. What a wonderful trip
Suburban Style Challenge recently posted..The Dup-A-Look Challenge
Wow! What an amazing resort and the food looks devine! If I’m ever in the area, your review has made me want to check it out!
Jeannette recently posted..A Washer than can Stand up to My Family’s Laundry? Now That’s What I’m Talking About! #MaytagMoms
Can you believe we have NEVER been to the JW Marriott?! Maybe because it’s just easier to stay home? I don’t know – but I think it would be awesome to spend some time there over the Christmas break!
Sara Phillips recently posted..Over the Hedge #Movie #Review
wow, I live here in San Antonio and new nothing about this place, thank you so much for bringing it to my attention!
Sounds like a wonderful place! Would definetely love to stay if we ever had planstostay in the area!
Trisha G. recently posted..Kmart’s Big Layaway #Giveaway!
I love San Antonio! I wished I visited more often when I lived in TX. I love staying at first-class hotels, it’s like being royalty
Wow that looks like loads of fun. No need to leave the hotel to have a great time!
Ellen Christian recently posted..Fleece sewing projects Fleece Hat Friends giveaway
This sure sounds like a hotel I wouldn’t want to leave. It’s nice for the mom especially!
Still Blonde after all these YEARS recently posted..$50 Halo Oral Antiseptic Spray Review and Giveaway
WOW – that looks like an amazing family weekend. I’d like to do this once a week
Lena – recently posted..New Balance Minimus – Product Review
Woah… I am ready to go on vacation right now!! Looks incredible!!!
Emily recently posted..Rainbow Fish
I stayed at the JW Marriott in Miami and looooooved it! I didn’t realize they had them all over!
Amber recently posted..Embracing my inner country girl with boots from Earth
This sounds like an awesome hotel!! I want to go now!
melissa recently posted..Making myself pretty with e.l.f. cosmetics #eyeslipsface #Cbias
How much fun is that! Love that it caters to the ENTIRE family!
Sarah recently posted..Kiddie Academy Franchise Success Story
Looks like such a great place to stay! Especially love the pool!
Krystle(Baking Beauty) recently posted..Inglot Runway Recap
Oh my gosh – that all looks so fun!!
Cheryl recently posted..Easy Quiche Recipe
I’ve had some bad experiences with some of the bigger hotel chains, this looks more like a tailored experience, it would be worth the extra money.