MarilynKelvin: MUST-SEE: 'Hotel Emma' - A Hotel That's Texan, Rustic & Modern, All At Once

Exterior by the riverwalk - Hotel Emma

I had a nice, quick weekend trip to San Antonio this past weekend.

No special reason for the trip, except that I've been dying to see this hotel that opened up last November: Hotel Emma. I can't believe my husband finally relented for one night.

This is real luxury.

It is so incredibly unique, and a real destination all it's own. It's on the river (they've extended the riverwalk to it's front door), located in the old Pearl brewery. The interior was gutted and cleaned up, and this fabulous hotel created within, keeping some of the original equipment, details, and industrial elements, while incorporating all the luxurious amenities of a world class hotel. It's industrial, Texan, rustic, and modern, all at once. With an old money feel, a historical background, and a really great story, it's more than just a hotel, but an experience in itself.

I'm not going to relate that story, because someone else has done it so well: Joni Webb, of Cote de Texas, wrote about the background and history of the site and the hotel. So I'm just going to link to her wonderful post, here.

What I'm sharing today are some overall shots, and some of the interesting details that I captured while there.

These are the things designers notice: the tiny touches that are often overlooked, but when paired with the rest, make for thoughtful and impactful design. To say that designers of the project, Roman and Williams, did a truly remarkable job is an understatement. They interpreted this unique combination of a luxury hotel and sense of place so well that you would think they are Texan.

Enjoy!