JW Marriott San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

With five restaurants, 200,000 square feet of meeting space, 1,002 guestrooms, a 26,000 square foot spa and a grand golf clubhouse, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is the largest project in the ForrestPerkins portfolio. Inspired by the location’s authentic roots and beautiful views, ForrestPerkins incorporated the style of San Antonio haciendas, which later grew into the legendary Texas ranches, into the design of the resort. Materials employed in the interior architecture - native pecan, mesquite, hand-scraped oak, natural stone and hammered metals - have a handcrafted sensibility and honest beauty.  Furnishings are comfortable and substantial, dressed for the most part in leather that will grow more beautiful over time.  The emphasis is on richness, substance, texture, and simplicity of detail. 

The lobby itself is three stories high, with a magnificent beamed wood ceiling and a pair of elegant two-sided fireplaces. One wall of the lobby overlooks the terrace and the lazy river out to the two golf courses and to the distant bird sanctuary, truly a breathtaking sight framed by lofty arched windows that mirror the openings from the upper lobby.  It is hard to imagine any guest not being impressed by the monumental scale of the space, the amazing views or the beautiful, properly proportioned furniture and natural finishes, all of which hearken back to the metaphor of the grand Hacienda.

The interior architectural elements of the three meal restaurant represent a stylized utilization of honest Hill Country materials – stone, wood, plaster, hammered metals and tooled leather, punctuated by lighting, artwork and artifacts that relate to the themes of fire and water. Flickering gas lanterns and candle-like decorative sconces and pendants add sparkle and magic in the evening and in the daytime, brighter lighting levels balance the daylight beyond. The restaurant has a distinct personality, yet it represents the heart of the resort – the iconic hacienda or ranch house kitchen and dining room around which all activities center. 

Remaining true to the essential nature of the Texas Hill Country, the guestrooms incorporate metals, tooled leather, carved wood, and hewn stonework into the contemporary design of 1,002 spacious rooms, including 85 suites. Each space, appointed with furniture rich in texture in the vibrant colors of the sunset, is a personal haven for the guest to experience the amazing views.

Photography by Barbara Kraft Photography