JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

We had an absolutely wonderful time at the JW Marriot Resort! We went during Spring Break Week. It was nice and warm, and not very crowded. The resort is quite large. So even with a lot of people there, nothing was ever crowded. There are several pools, so there is always an open chair. The service around the pool was excellent. They were very attentive and we didn't wait long for food or drinks. There is an adult pool, family pools, water slides, a spa pool, and my personal favorite...the lazy river. When we arrived we were given a voucher for either 2 free glasses of wine or their signature cocktail, which was very good and I thought was a really nice touch. The breakfast buffet was so good. The on site pizza cafe was also delicious. The pool side food was good too. There is also a Starbucks on site. I honestly would not have changed a thing. It was definitely a great visit and I would love to go back.

We, especially the kids, were very excited for this trip. But especially for the price, this was a real disappointment. And we have pretty high level status with Marriott and were paying for our room, not using points or anything else. First of all, multiple staff told us that the hotel was not running at full staff, despite knowing the two weeks of March in which most Texas school districts have their spring break. Stuff like waiting for the valet to bring the car or waiting for assistance with luggage took 45+ minutes. And the front desk would just say they’re on their way, when it was obvious that was not the case. Second, we arrived after 5 pm and were told our room wasn’t ready for check in. No apology, nothing offered other than an upgrade to a suite, where I had to ask to know it would be a paid upgrade. Third, the water park area was not kept clean. There was trash and food on the ground and beer cans and such in the water. Again, peak spring break, not enough staff. Fourth, they weirdly didn’t do anything to stop both adults and children from walking through the lazy river and playing in it. So you’re trying to lay in a tube and just enjoy yourself and relax and someone’s unsupervised kids would be splashing you everywhere. It was just obvious that despite knowing they were booked to near capacity, they didn’t adjust staffing accordingly. The room we finally got was fine. Nothing special. The restaurants are decent but overpriced. A sandwich from the grill near the pool, even if you order and get it yourself from the kiosk, costs $18 and they still and a service charge. A poolside margarita was $18. A Frito pie was $15 for ground beef (not chili), cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a snack bag of Fritos. Neither was anything special. It was pretty blatant price gouging, since they also don’t allow outside food. Even the premium seating loungers are packed in so tight you have to be a gymnast to get in and out of the chairs. It also contributed to them not being able to clean, due to lack of space to get in and out. All in all, it wasn’t a terrible experience, but it wasn’t a good one. My kids enjoyed the water park the first day, but when they saw the trash and mess the second day, they didn’t want to get back in after that. We will not be going back there again. Compared to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, which is very similar in terms of amenities and water park, this place is much worse. If you’re accustomed to other JW Marriotts and are expecting the same, you should reduce your expectations greatly. If I had to do it again, I’d go to the Cibolo Creek Ranch instead. No water park, but plenty of kid activities, great service, and they actually expect and require parents to manage their kids.

The JW Marriott San Antonio is a very large and very nice place for a conference. I attended a rural healthcare leadership conference with a group of people and enjoyed the stay. The check-in process was very smooth. You can check-in on the Marriott Bonvoy app and get a key or mobile key when arriving. The staff was very pleasant at check-in and throughout the stay. The rooms are very nice. I have a king room with a very small balcony (Room 3133). The room looked out over a courtyard by the conference center. The bed was very comfortable. There was a small couch that had high armrests, making it a little uncomfortable for sitting. But that was minor. Housekeeping was there daily, unless I said I didn't need anything. For a hearty meal, I recommend High Velocity, which is the sports bar. We ate there two times and the food was great. The popcorn shrimp was delicious. I had the grilled chicken sandwich one night and the macaroni and cheese with brisket the second. Both times it was more than I could eat, meaning big portions of good food. We had breakfast one day at Cibolo Moon. The servers were very friendly. The food was very good. I had an omelet with brisket and the works, along with toast and potatoes. Once again the portion was big, but it was very good. All of the workers I had contact with were very friendly. Whether it was the waiting staff, people at the front desk, housekeeping, or those working in the conference center, they were all friendly and made you feel welcome. I can't comment on the pool area as I didn't get to utilized it. I walked around it and it looks like it would be a fun place to relax. In a nutshell, I give this one a thumbs up.

I've been reluctant to review this hotel because it's the best, but it really is too good not to give them the credit they deserve. From the room to the pools to the delicious brunch in the restaurant, it's just perfect. Whether you're staying as a couple or a family or even on business, there's something for everyone. We LOVE going during the holidays. All of the fun decor and scheduled events are perfect to involve the kids - from the big slides and heated pools to roasting marshmallows around fire pits outside on the grounds. There's also an arcade room, games in the lobby, and cozy fireplaces. Of note, my sister's family had a separate reservation and the staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a room that connected. Efforts like that mean a lot. Staying here was a highlight to our stay in San Antonio and we can't wait to visit again.

Isolated spacious resort with good restaurants and spacious rooms Very staffed hotel with large grounds, shops and Starbucks. Attached conference center provides ample space and very nice catering. Be aware of resort fees on top of regular room prices