La Cantera Hill Country Resort prepares for major transformation

180x150-LaCanteraSince La Cantera Hill Country Resort first opened its doors 15 years ago, it has served hundreds of thousands of visitors from nearly every corner of the world. From one of the highest vantage points in San Antonio, the resort’s breathtaking views have provided a relaxing year-round retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle, and the staff has had the distinct privilege of helping guests turn milestone moments, corporate retreats and even quick getaways into lasting memories.

To continue providing the best guest experience possible, La Cantera is embarking on a comprehensive transformation in the coming months. The resort’s front entrance, lobby and lobby bar will undergo an extensive reconfiguration, along with a complete redesign of the San Saba Courtyard at the resort’s core. A new event lawn will provide a gathering spot for those who want to soak in the unparalleled Hill Country oasis.

A new junior ballroom will be developed, along with expanded meeting and convention space. Foodies and casual diners alike will enjoy new restaurant, bar and lounge concepts, as well as redesigned, contemporary pools and family areas. An entirely new, freestanding destination spa will be erected to help guests lose themselves in tranquility. Each element of the comprehensive renovation strategy has been specifically designed to relax, inspire and meet the needs of business and leisure visitors to San Antonio with an unrivaled blend of relaxed sophistication and never-ending discovery.

Although the resort will temporarily suspend overnight stays and restaurant operations beginning November 3, many staff will still be on site, involved in ongoing operations and preparations. Full-time associates who won’t be involved in day-to-day transformation activities will be more visible within the community as they enjoy paid leave through early April 2015. This ongoing commitment to the resort’s valued associates is reflected in the quality of service guests receive.

The La Cantera championship Resort and Palmer 18-hole golf courses, featuring the newly opened Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, will remain open throughout the transformation – as will their respective clubhouses and adjacent event venues. Officially launched on October 15, the Dave Pelz golf school will help professional students and weekend players alike master their short game and putting. La Cantera is the first Texas resort to offer Pelz’s full array of instructional offerings. A schedule of one-day clinics and three-day game schools is available at www.pelzgolf.com

In these final weeks before the transformation begins, the staff at La Cantera hopes to see many guests taking one last stroll through the resort –for the special “Last Taste of Francesca’s” menu, featuring favorite recipes from the past 15 years, or a final dip in the resort’s sparkling pools before they are transformed.

The La Cantera Hill Country Resort has enjoyed strong support the San Antonio community for the past 15 years, and the team looks forward to serving the community in the spring of 2015 when it unveils a world-class destination resort – setting a new standard in hospitality for business and leisure travelers in San Antonio and beyond.

H-E-B ‘Market at Stone Oak’ and Oak Crossing restaurant now open to the public

HEB_logo_plainStone Oak community leaders, neighbors and customers joined H-E-B leadership on Friday, June 19 to celebrate the completion of the one-of-a-kind H-E-B Market at Stone Oak, located at 23635 Wilderness Oak. The ribbon cutting ceremony included remarks by Richard Perez, President and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Duane Wilson, President and CEO of the North Chamber of Commerce.

The new 80,000-square-foot market is the first of its kind in San Antonio, and the second in the entire state to feature an H-E-B restaurant adjacent to the store. The Stone Oak location now offers customers thousands of unique product selections in hundreds of expanded departments, and also features an outdoor children’s playground. The store and restaurant combined employ a total of 350 people.

“It was important for to us to build a store that is able to serve the unique needs of Stone Oak’s diverse and rapidly expanding community,” said Kim Harle, H-E-B Public Affairs Manager. “From families and young professionals to seniors in the area, the Market at Stone Oak will provide everyone with unique, high-quality products at an affordable price.”

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, H-E-B also made a dream come true for 15-year-old cancer survivor, Kaylee Carew. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, H-E-B surprised Carew by fulfilling her wish to stay at the Disney Resort in Hawaii with her family. In addition, H-E-B donated $1,000 each to the following organizations: Johnson High School, Lopez Middle School, Wilderness Oak Elementary, Hardy Oak Elementary and the Mays YMCA. All commemorative donations for the day amounted to a total of more than $20,000.

“At H-E-B, we view each store opening as an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve and say thank you to our customers for their continued support,” said Suzanne Wade, H-E-B President of the San Antonio Food and Drug Division. “Today’s donations demonstrate our ongoing commitment to our San Antonio customers and to education in Texas.”

Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant known as Oaks Crossing will serve a variety of chef-inspired meals, rare wines and a wide selection of Texas craft brews on tap. Menu items will include: locally sourced barbeque with traditional sides, Neapolitan-style pizzas, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, pasta bowls, Asian-inspired bowls, small appetizer plates, hamburgers, Mexican food, a children’s menu and variety of desserts. Customers can choose to enjoy their meal in the indoor café seating area, or on the expansive outdoor patio which will feature misters, fans, heaters, televisions and live entertainment.

Oaks Crossing will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to Midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature live jazz music on the patio.

Highlights from the new store include:

  • An in-house pharmacy with dedicated pick-up and drop-off counters, immunizations, a patient education room, two-lane drive-through service and prescription delivery service
  • A dedicated seafood department with specialty products and additional frozen and fresh options including fish, shellfish and fresh seafood burgers
  • Healthy Living department with over 200 bulk food items, spices, tea, fresh-ground nut butters, local honeys, bulk jerky and organic beauty products
  • The largest beer and wine section of any San Antonio H-E-B location, featuring over 600 beer brands and hundreds of local and international wines
  • A produce section with over 100 local and organic selections, fresh juice station, and in-store fruit and vegetable cutting station
  • Full-service meat market offering USDA Prime, natural and organic meats
  • An expansive deli featuring over 250 fresh-cut artisanal cheeses, over 30 varieties of hummus, charcuterie plates and in-house roasted meats
  • A bakery department with custom, “to-order” cake decorating, scratch flour tortillas and bread and individual pastries
  • A general merchandise department with expanded offerings in the following categories: Sports Nutrition, Cosmetics, Organic baby assortments and Pro hair Care

San Antonio Chamber of Commerce President Richard Perez and North Chamber of Commerce President Duane Wilson both thanked H-E-B for their investment in San Antonio and for their commitment to area nonprofit organizations.

“H-E-B has a long history in the San Antonio area, and we are thrilled to be here today to help celebrate the opening of this wonderful new store,” said Perez.  “The City of San Antonio is also very lucky to have H-E-B as a corporate partner who understands the importance of local initiatives and support for nonprofit organizations,” added Wilson.

HEB_stoneoak1Members of the Johnson High School choir sign the National Anthem during the H-E-B Market at Stone Oak ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday.

HEBstoneoak215-year-old cancer survivor Kaylee Carew was presented with an award for bravery and a special trip to the Disney resort in Hawaii with her family. Pictured: Kimberly Harle – HEB Public Affairs, Harry Hauck – H-E-B Market at Stone Oak Unit Director, & Kaylee Carew.

HEBstoneoak3Stone Oak community members and store leaders cut a red ribbon in front of the first-ever H-E-B Market at Stone Oak.

HEBstoneoak4Stone Oak community members and store leaders of the first-ever H-E-B Market at Stone Oak celebrate completion of the first-of-its-kind H-E-B during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 19.

Catch a wave – closer to home

HyattHCResort_logoLooking for the perfect vacation to relax and recharge, featuring activities to delight everyone in your family? Whether you have surfers, swimmers, golfers, stargazers or someone just looking to float their day away or enjoy a relaxing massage, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is the answer to spring break fun for the whole family.

And yes, we did say “surfers.” But you don’t have to hit the coast or brave a crowded water park to catch some waves. The Hyatt Hill Country is the first Texas resort—and one of only three hotels in the United States—to have a FlowRider® wave machine on its property, offering perfect waves every day of the year. Let the fun flow and make Hyatt Hill Country fill your spring break with fantastic memories, not crowds or traffic.

Hyatt Hill Country_A_903_retLocated just 16 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio and the San Antonio International Airport, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa offers a retreat that feels a world away, but the convenience and fun of San Antonio is just outside your door. Built in 1990, the AAA Four-Diamond resort features a 500-room luxury hotel, championship 27-hole golf course, a full-service state-of-the-art spa. The resort also boasts a tennis court, award-winning dining, walking/jogging path and nature trail, health club facility, five-acre water park with a FlowRider® wave machine, tower water slide, three swimming pools and cascading waterfalls, two outdoor whirlpools, Camp Hyatt children’s program and a 950-foot Ramblin’ River intertwined with lush gardens.

The resort’s traditional Hill Country architecture complements the site’s inherent beauty, highlighted by thousands of native Live Oak trees, limestone-banked creeks, mossy springs and rolling wildflower meadows. This natural, secluded, pastoral setting makes the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa an ideal location for relaxing family vacations, fun-filled weekend getaways and the perfect place for a spring break filled with fun for every member of the family, including Fido. That’s right—the resort offers a canine guest program with “barking lot” access, treats, bowls and doggie beds awaiting your pet upon check-in.

Hyatt Hill Country_A_1247Jump In, The Water is Fine:  Five Acres of Water Fun Awaits
Long known for its ever-popular water playground featuring three swimming pools, cascading waterfalls, a sandy beach, a tubing river and more, the Hyatt Hill Country’s new FlowRider® wave machine turns up the fun meter for anyone who enjoys riding the waves. The exciting new attraction simulates a “barrel-less” wave; complete with a sloped wave surface featuring 40,000 gallons of water being driven up at a rate of about 18,000 gallons per minute. What does that mean? Perfect waves, all year long, ready for guests to flowboard their day away.

Hyatt Hill Country_A_1126_retFlow boarding resembles surfing, but is a combination of skateboarding, wakeboarding, boogie boarding, snowboarding and surfing—a fantastic mix of fun for any board sport fan. The wave machine spans an impressive length of 54 feet and is 22 feet wide, with a water depth of between 3 to 4 inches, perfect for body boarding, knee boarding or stand-up boarding. The FlowRider® can be heated seasonally, meaning guests will be able to enjoy this adrenaline-packed thrill all year long, though guests must be at least 42 inches tall to boogie board and 52 inches tall to stand-up ride/surf.

In addition to the wave machine, the resort added a 22-foot-tall tower waterslide to its already amazing water park, which now offers five acres of hydrated fun and relaxation. Perfect for guests more than four feet tall, the slide is a great complement to the water park’s 950-foot Ramblin’ River and sandy beach. The park also features an activity pool equipped with water volleyball and basketball, an adults-only Texas-shaped pool, 2 hot tubs and a zero-entry kiddie wading pool, ensuring wet fun for everyone, no matter what their height.

Clubbing It:  The Hill Country Golf Club
If water sports leave you dripping, an afternoon on the links at the Hill Country Golf Club is sure to dry you off. In its first year of play, the 27-hole course was named one of the top 10 new public courses in the U.S. by Golf Magazine, and Golf for Women named the course Top Fairways list of most “women-friendly” golf courses. Today, the course continues to be honored with the awards from various golfing and travel publications. Most recently, Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club was selected among the world’s best golf venues in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Golf Poll and is consistently among the 100 favorite golf destinations worldwide.

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort’s championship golf course appeals to a broad spectrum of golf enthusiasts, with holes that demand strength and strategy, but with four sets of tees to accommodate players of every skill level. The greens vary in size, shape and slope, with the shortest game further challenged by strategically placed bunkers and grass hollows.

And if you’re looking for a round of family fun, the course offers The Hill Country Family Express Course, an innovative new golf program designed for families who want to experience the game of golf together. “Family Express” tees are located on the club’s three courses, albeit at a shorter distance. One of the nine-hole courses is designated for the Express Course each day so as not to impede play for more experienced golfers, yet still allowing the families to enjoy their time together.

Getting Rowdy: Camp Hyatt Fills Days and Nights with Fun
With 300-acres available to explore, the Hyatt Hill Country is a haven for kids to explore and learn, all while having fun. Rowdy’s Camp Hyatt, the resort’s award-winning children’s program designed for guests ages 3 to 12, offers planned, supervised activities sure to thrill your little ones. The supervised children’s program offers a variety of activities that teach native Texas customs and traditions, like hunting for arrowheads, stargazing, bird watching, learning how to recognize regional animal tracks and indoor crafts are just some of the activities that will delight and entertain your little spring breakers.

In addition to the themed activities, Camp Hyatt offers a special schedule of spring break activities and of course children can also participate in traditional resort activities such as swimming in the Ramblin’ River, making sandcastles at the manmade beach, taking walks on the mile-long nature trails and s’ mores by the campfire.

Flavors to Savor:  Onsite Dining
Wondering how to keep your crew energized for all of that fun. Hyatt Hill Country has you covered with a wide array of dining options sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. From the Springhouse Café, a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside terrific views of the resort’s garden and pool areas, to the fine dining of Antlers Lodge—so named for the magnificent handcrafted, naturally shed-antler chandelier that serves as the focal point for the room—featuring exquisitely prepared steaks, seafood and poultry complemented by seasonal harvests and regional flavors, you won’t have to wander far to enjoy a terrific meal.

The resort’s dining options also include Cactus Oak Tavern, located in the Hill Country Golf Club, featuring traditional 19th hole fare such as cheeseburgers and grilled chicken breast sandwiches, as well as poolside dining at Vince’s Watering Hole and Papa Ed’s Pool Bar & Grill, where plump hot dogs, Texas-sized nachos, chilled salads and cool refreshing smoothies, sodas and cocktails are offered. Additional dining choices onsite include Charlie’s Long Bar, a traditional Texas-style saloon with a masterfully crafted, 56-foot long copper-topped bar, the longest copper-topped bar in Texas; the General Store, combining convenience with the feel and ambiance of an old country store; The Porch brews super-premium fair-trade coffees, hand-dipped ice-cream treats, espresso drinks and fresh pastries; or if you’re just too tired from a great day, the hotel offers extensive hours of service through in-room dining.

Make Your Spring Break Award Winning!
Make sure your spring break takes the top prize—plan your trip to the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa. A few of the resort’s award and distinctions:

  • 2014 World’s Best Family Friendly Hotels, Travel+Leisure
  • 2013 Best Hotels in the USA, US News and World Report
  • 2013 Reader’s Poll: Top 270 Spas in North America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and at Sea by Condé Nast Traveler
  • 2013 Reader’s Poll: Top 10 Family Resorts, Family Fun magazine
  • 2013 Top 10 Family Fun Resorts for Groups, Convention South
  • 2012 Top 121 Golf Resorts in the World, Readers’ Poll, Top 25 Southern U.S. Golf Resorts, Condé Nast Traveler
  • Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, Audubon International
  • 2013 Best Hotels in the USA, US News and World Report
  • 2013 Four Diamond, American Automobile Association (AAA), Resort and Antlers Lodge
  • 2012 World’s Best Hotels for Families, Travel+Leisure magazine

Putting the “Relax” into Your Break:  Windflower-The Hill Country Spa
If hitting the links or riding the waves doesn’t make you relax, there’s no doubt that the perfect spa visit will do the trick. Recently named by Condé Nast Traveler readers as one of the top 100 resort spas in the United States, Windflower-The Hill Country Spa incorporates native stones, authentic wood beams, rough-hewn timber salvaged from abandoned structures and a standing-seam metal roof, all situated amid a secluded grove of native live oaks for a slice of modern country heaven. Customized 50- to 80-minute treatments are offered in 21 treatment rooms housed in the structure’s “renovated barn.” Sixteen of the rooms, including a couple’s room, are used for massage and the more conventional spa treatments, while five of the rooms are designed for “wet” treatments, such as therapeutic baths, body treatments, and Vichy showers. Seasonally, three outdoor cabanas, overlooking a majestic field of wildflowers, are available for massage.

A World Away, But Close to Everything: Nearby Attractions
The resort’s secluded, yet convenient location makes it an excellent point of departure for excursions to attractions for which San Antonio has become famous for, such as The Alamo, The River Walk, SeaWorld/Aquatica San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the Historic Mission Trails National Park, and rock climbing, horseback riding, sailing, fishing and tubing are available within an hour’s drive. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is also conveniently located near charming and historic Hill Country towns popular for antique and crafts shopping, scenic state parks, and the state’s growing wine region, making it the perfect starting point for wherever you roam.

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.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ron Riemenschneider, Frontier Enterprises – CFO Forum Chair

Riemenschneider_RonCFO FORUM CHAIR
Ron Riemenschneider

Frontier Enterprises

About the Company: Ron Riemenschneider is the EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Frontier Enterprises, Inc., a highly successful, privately owned restaurant company with a reputation for quality food and service within San Antonio, Austin and Dallas which is celebrating its 65th year in business. Many long-time residents recall the first Frontier Drive-Ins which evolved in 1963 to the present day “all-American” award-winning Jim’s Restaurants. Also widely acclaimed are the company’s innovative entertainment dining concepts aptly named the Magic Time Machine where costumed characters wait on delighted customers.

About the Program: The CFO Forum is a learning series that caters to CFOs and focuses on offering speakers that provide CFOs with timely topics and information they can use in their day-to-day responsibilities.

Personally Speaking: Frontier Enterprises has been a member of the North Chamber for over six years. Ron says, “We believe in the importance of a strong, vibrant, and resolved business community which in turn supports the long-term growth and prosperity of San Antonio and all its residents. We recognize the role the North Chamber plays in strengthening its member businesses and the value its mission brings to our community as a whole.”