Tag Archives: Hotels

School’s out for summer: Omni La Mansión del Rio debuts exclusive all access San Antonio package for families

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Omni HotelsSummer vacation is right around the corner, and to celebrate, San Antonio’s Omni La Mansión del Rio is rolling out the red carpet for both the young and the young at heart. The new All Access San Antonio Family Package offers families an exclusive opportunity to experience some of the top attractions in San Antonio while enjoying Omni La Mansión del Rio’s luxurious accommodations and signature service.

La Mansion ExteriorOmni La Mansión is the only hotel in San Antonio offering a package of this caliber, with guests receiving tickets to the city’s most renowned attractions – including the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, the Texas Ranger Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Tomb Rider 3D – as part of the hotel’s unprecedented partnership with Phillips Entertainment Inc. Families will also enjoy one complimentary ticket per guest, per stay, to the Rio San Antonio River Cruise, a 35-minute narrated history of the famed San Antonio River Walk on which Omni La Mansión del Rio resides.

Kitchen Kids BackpackYounger guests will also celebrate the end of the school year in style with an Omni Sensational Kids backpack, their own activity agenda and a special sweet treat turndown consisting of cookies or brownies and milk. Meanwhile, parents (and their wallets) will appreciate the daily breakfast included for each registered guest along with valet parking for one vehicle daily.

The package is available now through the end of 2014. Rates for the All Access San Antonio Family Package start at $369 per night for a family of four, based on availability. For more information or to book your stay at Omni La Mansión del Rio, please call (210) 518-1000 or visit www.omnilamansion.com.

About Omni La del Rio
Situated on the tranquil River Walk in downtown San Antonio, the historic Omni La Mansión del Rio marries Spanish Colonial architecture and old-world charm with modern comforts.  Hallmarks of this authentic experience include 338 comfortably appointed guest rooms and suites, the award-winning Las Canarias restaurant, flexible meeting and event space and unparalleled service standards. For more information, call (800) 843-6664 or visit www.omnilamansion.com.

 

Have a whale of a good time in Omni San Antonio’s new Aquatica Suite

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Omni logo imageThe Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade has long been a favorite destination for families traveling to the Alamo City and a new “attraction” there is sure to create even more excitement for kids.

This March, the Omni Colonnade will unveil its new kids’ fantasy suite, Aquatica. Created through a partnership with SeaWorld San Antonio and the Art Institute of San Antonio – this one of a kind suite transports children into an imaginary oceanic world complete with a coral reef and fascinating sea life, as well as all of the comforts of the “modern world” including double flat screen TV’s, video consoles, and Sting Ray bean bag chairs.

“You really have to see this suite to believe it,” said Delfin Ortiz, the General Manager of the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade and the visionary behind the project. “Our goal in designing this unique suite was simple: from the minute our young guests literally slide into the room we want them to be mesmerized and inspired by their surroundings.”

Omni Aquatica Suite

Dwight Driskill with Sea World San Antonio gives his vote of approval as construction continues on the new Omni Colonnade Aquatica Suite.

The fantasy suite, designed by Art Institute interior design student Katelyn Goudge, includes a brilliant aqua-blue “ocean floor,” bubble chairs designed to create the illusion of a beneath-the-ocean hang out, a floor-to-ceiling 3D coral wall; and a built-in salt water aquarium featuring life fish, coral reefs, seaweed and plenty of bubbles.

To give kids plenty of room to enjoy their ocean paradise, a pair of specially designed Murphy beds unfold from the wall. A treasure chest filled with books and costumes provides plenty of opportunity for children’s imaginations to run wild.

For the adults, there’s an adjoining bedroom and separate bathroom. Checking on the kids is easy even when the door between the two rooms is closed thanks to a creative porthole in the door.

The Aquatica Suite will be finished by March 1, coinciding with Sea World’s 50th anniversary. The Aquatica Suite along with the hotel’s other fantasy suite, is setting a new creative standard for kid-centric hotel suites, and is the talk of the industry across the U.S.

For more information about fantasy suites at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade as well as other accommodations and services, please visit www.omnihotels.com/sanantonio

San Antonio’s Mokara Hotel & Spa, Omni La Mansión Del Rio continue to accrue accolades in 2014

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Omni Hotels

Mokara SpasSan Antonio’s renowned Mokara Hotel & Spa and Omni La Mansión del Rio continue to celebrate a successful start to 2014 after garnering national recognition from four of the country’s most well-respected travel resources.

The accolades, which come on the heels of Mokara Hotel & Spa being featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Gold List and Platinum Circle at the beginning of January, include:

Mokara Hotel & Spa

  • AAA Four Diamond hotel rating
  • AAA Four Diamond restaurant rating for Ostra

Mokara Hotel has been recognized as a Four Diamond property every year since 2005. The AAA Diamond ratings continue a 78-year tradition where AAA’s professionally trained inspectors use published guidelines to conduct unannounced hotel and restaurant evaluations, assigning approved establishments a rating of One to Five AAA Diamonds. Only 5.3 percent of the more than 29,000 hotels approved by AAA make the Four Diamond list. For more information, visit www.aaa.com/diamonds.

  • Forbes Four-Star hotel winner
  • Forbes Four-Star spa winner

Mokara is the only Forbes Four-Star hotel in San Antonio and well as the only Forbes Four-Star spa in San Antonio. By Forbes standards, Four-Star hotels require attention to detail and an accommodating staff in a distinctive setting. Four-Star spas are defined by their wonderful experience in an inviting and serene environment with personalized service and again, a well-trained staff. For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.startle.com/about/ratings.

  • TripAdvisor® 2014 Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the United States, ranked 23rd

In the 12th year of the TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice awards, the world’s most outstanding properties were identified in the categories of Top Hotels, Bargain, B&Bs and Inns, Family, Luxury, Romance, and Small Hotels. Travelers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisor travelers around the globe. For a full list of TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice winners, visit: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.

  • Gold Badge winner, 2014 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels rankings
    • #1 in Best San Antonio Hotels
    • #3 in Best Texas Hotels
    • #1 in Omni Hotels & Resorts

The rankings identify the best hotels in the USA, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada based on an unbiased methodology that combines the prominence of industry accolades a hotel receives along with its reputation among travel experts and guests expressed through online reviews and ratings. The Gold Badge rating represents the top 10 percent of all ranked luxury hotels in the United States as part of the “Best Hotels in the USA” list. For a full list of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels rankings, visit: http://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/USA/.

Omni La Mansión del Rio

  • AAA Four Diamond hotel rating
  • AAA Four Diamond restaurant rating for Las Canarias

Omni La Mansión del Rio is one of twelve hotels that have maintained the Four Diamond Rating for 38 consecutive years – since 1976 when the Diamond Ratings were first introduced for hotels.

“We are honored to be ranked by these outstanding sources and to be listed among such a prestigious group of hotels, resorts and restaurants,” said General Manager Rusty Wallace. “To be recognized by loyal guests as well as editors of the nation’s leading travel publications is a testament to the commitment of our associates to provide the very highest levels of service and ensure each of our guests receives an unparalleled experience.”

About Mokara Hotels & Spa
The Mokara Hotel & Spa is the companion property to the illustrious Omni La Mansión del Rio, both of which have been owned and operated by Omni Hotels & Resorts since 2006.  With its stunning views of the tranquil River Walk in downtown San Antonio, Mokara blends a serene setting with relaxed sophistication to bring a guest experience where the exceptional is always included.  In addition to the acclaimed 17,000-square-foot Mokara Spa, the property features 99 elegantly appointed guest rooms and Ostra, an unrivaled seafood epicurean experience.  For more information, call (866) 605-1212 or visit mokarahotelsandspas.com.

About Omni La Mansión del Rio
Situated on the tranquil River Walk in downtown San Antonio, the historic Omni La Mansión del Rio marries Spanish Colonial architecture and old-world charm with modern comforts.  Hallmarks of this authentic experience include 338 comfortably appointed guest rooms and suites, the award-winning Las Canarias restaurant and its Texas Hill Country-infused menu, flexible meeting and event space and unparalleled service standards. For more information, call (800) 292-7300 or visit www.omnilamansion.com.

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa awards community grant to Respite Care of San Antonio

By North SA Chamber Editor
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HyattHCResort_logoHyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is helping Respite Care of San Antonio start the New Year strong, thanks to a generous $20,000 grant from Hyatt Hotels Corporation to further the organization’s mission to provide support and care to children with special needs and their families. The $20,000 grant is one of the highest of the 26 grants awarded to non-profits across the world as part of Hyatt Community Grants, a philanthropic program that empowers Hyatt associates to nominate nonprofits that directly serve their community.

Hyatt Community Grants, a key component of Hyatt Thrive – Hyatt’s global corporate responsibility platform – encourages hotels worldwide to identify and nominate local nonprofits for funding consideration. The program builds on Hyatt’s belief that no one better understands a community’s most pressing issues – and their solutions – than those that live and work there.

“Through the Hyatt Community Grants program, we are able to help Respite address the greatest needs they have in providing for these amazing children,” said Gino Caliendo, general manager. “We have been working with Respite since 2010 and we know this gift will help them continue the important work they are accomplishing.” The $20,000 ties in with the resort’s 20th anniversary and the addition of a 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom.

Respite Care of San Antonio, a locally founded nonprofit organization celebrating its 26th anniversary, serves the most vulnerable in our society, children with special needs. Their original mission – to enhance the stability and the nurturing opportunities of families caring for a child with developmental disabilities – is met through community-based and occasional overnight shelter services designed to give short-term relief to participating parents. In 1997, the mission expanded to provide residential care for children with developmental disabilities and complex medical diagnoses who have been taken into protective custody as a result of abuse and neglect. Respite Care provides care to approximately 450 children each year throughout its various program services.

Bert Pfiester, Respite Care’s President & CEO, shares, “This generous gift from the Hyatt will assist children with developmental delays to be better prepared for learning and maximize their capabilities for a life filled with hope. The specialized care each child receives provides lasting impact.  The children of Respite Care have enjoyed many partnerships with the members of the Hyatt Hill Country family.  This gift again demonstrates the special place our children hold within their hearts.”

About Hyatt Community Grants
Funding for Hyatt Community Grants is provided by Hyatt Hotels Foundation, a donor-advised fund created in conjunction with the National Philanthropic Trust. In 2013, Hyatt Hill Country was one of 26 Hyatt properties from around the world awarding more than US$340,000 in grants to nonprofits in their local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Hyatt hotels have awarded nearly US$1,700,000 to nonprofit organizations in 103 communities and 34 countries around the world.

For more information about Hyatt Community Grants, please visit www.hyattthrive/philanthropy.com.

About Hyatt Thrive
Hyatt’s global corporate responsibility platform, Hyatt Thrive, is designed to help make our communities places where our associates are proud to work, our guests want to visit, our neighbors want to live and owners want to invest. Harnessing the power of more than 90,000 associates worldwide, Hyatt Thrive brings together teams of passionate people to focus on positive local efforts that create a significant global impact.

Hyatt expanded its corporate responsibility commitment with the launch of Ready to Thrive in 2013, a multi-year philanthropic commitment to education initiatives in Hyatt communities around the world. With a focus on literacy and career readiness, Ready to Thrive supports community organizations and programs that offer a launching point for individuals to learn and develop the critical skills needed to professionally advance.

For more information about Hyatt Thrive, please visit www.HyattThrive.com.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation or one or more of its affiliates.

About the Hyatt Regency Hill Country
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is located on 300-scenic acres in the heart of San Antonio. The recently renovated 500-room resort features 53,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 165,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.

Resort amenities include the full-service Windflower-The Hill Country Spa featuring 21-treatment rooms with world-class services, a five-acre water park with a FlowRider® wave machine, 22’ tower waterslide, four swimming pools, Ramblin’ River and regulation sized sand volleyball court. With five restaurants, a lounge and tavern, guests can enjoy superb epicurean dining or cocktails with colleagues overlooking a lushly landscaped 27-hole Arthur Hills-designed golf course. For reservations or information contact 210-647-1234 or visit us at hillcountry.hyatt.com.

Omni at the Colonnade undergoing major renovations

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Omni logo imageOn the heels of it being named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10 hotels in San Antonio, the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade is poised for some exciting upgrades and additions in 2013.

Omni room image

The hotel’s 326 guest rooms are undergoing an extensive makeover in the 2nd phase of a of a two-phase $6 million dollar renovation project. The renovations, which will began in February and are slated for completion by May 25, 2013, and will end with luxury guest rooms and corridors ready to be enjoyed by all. The elevator lobbies and corridors will also be undergoing a face lift. The hotel will remain open during the renovations with no disruption in the quality of guest services.

The new look throughout the hotel features a Southwest motif showcasing earth tone textures with pops of warm, bright color and a Texas flare with leather and iron accents. Look closely at the corridor carpeting and you will find an abstract Alamo reference in the design. The casual yet elegant décor, designed to appeal to the sophisticated business traveler.

Omni hotel imageThe hotel is a popular evening dinners and receptions with a 10,000 square foot ballroom and two 3,000 square foot ballrooms. Coupled with additional smaller meeting rooms, Omni at the Colonnade has a total of 23,000 square feet of meeting space.

For families with children, there will soon be an exciting new option for their stay at the Omni: a Sea World-themed kids’ suite. Like the other kids’ fantasy suite at the Omni San Antonio, the children’s space will include kid-friendly furnishings and amenities adjoined with a beautifully appointed “grown up suite” next door.

Omni Delfin OrtizThe unique kid suite design- which calls for a slide in entry sure to wow kids- will be the brainchild of one lucky San Antonio Art Institute student whose winning design was selected from the many proposals submitted by Art Institute students. Omni general manager Delfin Ortiz reached out to the school seeking fun creative ideas for the special space.

The extensive renovations and new kids suite will continue the Omni at the Colonnade’s long standing tradition of providing the best lodging and customer service San Antonio has to offer.

“We offer something for everyone. Whether it is a group, family or the corporate traveler, we will provide a memorable experience,” said Ortiz.

While the new kids’ suite will feed children’s imaginations, the hotel’s chef-driven restaurant, Bolo’s, will provide a feast for the soul for everyone as it unveils a special new dinner menu – focused on what Sous Chef Sam Boisjoly calls “Latin American Soul food.”

“It has been my dream to create the flavors of Latin America in a soulful way,” said Boisjoly.

Bolo’s will continue its popular daily breakfast buffet, “The Art of Breakfast” serving fan favorites including Omelets made to order by the Omelet Chef plus a gluten free section and Starbucks coffee. A new Sunday brunch option is planned for launch this year.

A grand re-opening celebrating the many exciting changes at Omni at the Colonnade is scheduled for Summer, 2013.

For more information, please call (210) 691-8888 or visit omnisanantonio.com

OVERVIEW OF RENOVATIONS:

  • Phase 1 (complete) – Flat screen TV / low boys consoles / in-room safe / new mini bars / curved shower rods and additional outlets on all desks / Modernized elevators
  • Phase 2 (underway) – Replacing wall vinyl and painting walls / new carpeting /  new bedding / furniture / lighting package / bathroom amenities / new elevator lobbies and corridors with new artwork
  • When you walk on the floor, it will be like a new hotel. All suites will be renovated with all new furnishings and we will be adding a new kid’s fantasy suite with an Aquatica theme. This will be a joint effort with SeaWorld (the kid’s suite).