Disclosure: I was invited as a guest of the Lantana Spa to enjoy lunch, an express pedicure, and a swag bag with beauty samples. I received no additional compensation and all opinions are mine.
Although the Lantana Spa at the JW Marriott San Antonio is the largest resort spa in Texas, the staff strives to make each guest’s visit personal and unique.
First impressions
Walking up to the Lantana Spa, your mood transforms swiftly from slightly stressed to instantly serene. A bright array of colorful flowers lines the walkway. The scent of lavender drifts through the air, while soft, ethereal music greets you. The stage is set immediately for a carefree afternoon of indulgences for both body and soul. And you haven’t even entered the building yet! The attention paid to creating a luxurious, calm, and relaxing experience is evident throughout the spa, its restaurant, and the private pool.
And, while this 26,000-square-foot facility has 30 treatment rooms and can handle groups of up to 200 people, there are quiet, elegantly appointed nooks throughout that lend a sense of cozy privacy. Filled with sumptuous couches, pillows, and ottomans, these peaceful areas beckon to you to lay back and drift away into total tranquility while waiting for your services to begin.
What makes it stand out
The rotunda and its cut limestone blocks hint at the spa’s proud connection to San Antonio and the Spanish missions that were built here. The treatment menu was created with traditional herbal remedies that promote healing. And, many of the products used in spa services come from the native fauna from our area, including products from Hill Country Lavender in Blanco, Texas.
The Lantana Spa embraces a charming (and effective!) tradition at the start of your spa experience: the Seven Knots Ritual. Based upon an age-old custom practiced by curanderos (Latin American healers), you receive a red ribbon when you check in. Into this ribbon you tie seven knots, one for each worry you have. Awaiting you at the bottom of a spiral staircase that leads to your treatment area is a polished tree trunk and upon this beautiful hunk of wood rests a simple silver dish. Just toss your ribbon (and your worries!) into the bowl and embrace your spa treatments without a care in the world.
Healthy bistro dining
Replenish, the Lantana Spa’s light-filled bistro, boasts a menu filled with fresh, often locally-sourced, organic, and made-in-house foods created specifically to energize the body and soothe the mind. Salads, soups, sandwiches, a bistro burger, and smoothies round out the delicious offerings.
Chilled corn bisque, gluten-free with basil, avocado, and jumbo lump crab:
Tips
- Visit the Lantana Spa’s website for details on monthly special offers. September’s special is a 50-minute Swedish Massage, Monday -Friday, for just $99.
- When you book a spa service, use of the spa facilities is included for the entire day, including access to the locker rooms, steam room, sauna, aromatherapy inhalation room, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, fitness center, yoga and exercise classes, and the outdoor pool.
- And, even if you don’t book a spa service, both resort guests and locals alike can enjoy the use of the spa facilities with a $30 day pass.
Perched atop a hill just north of San Antonio, the Lantana Spa at the JW Marriott is the perfect place to reconnect with yourself, relax, and let your stress float away. You can bet I’ll grab a few friends and book that September special! 😉
Heavenly! I will have to look into this place!
Taylor, you will love it. And the facilities are wonderful. Spend the whole day there relaxing if you can! 😉
What a lovely looking spa. I am a local and I would love to spend the day at Lantana Spa. I didn’t realize you could pay a $30 fee and use the spa facilities. What a fabulous deal. That would be a great moms mini escape. Wish they would advertise even more specials for us folks in the stone oak area.