My family and I received a one-night stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, but all opinions are mine.
Few places are prettier during the holidays than the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. With the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country as a back drop, the resort gussies itself up with thousands of sparkling lights adorning the property. Holiday music fills the air and the outdoor fireplaces are stoked with bright orange flames, beckoning you to cozy up and relax for awhile. And, this time of year, the skills of the resort’s talented pastry chefs are on display. Stroll by the world of whimsical wonder they’ve created with gingerbread, icing, and every candy imaginable. This year’s theme is a small-town European Christmas!
You don’t have to stay at the resort to enjoy its splendors during the holidays (although, a holiday staycation is the perfect way to relax and spend time with your family as a much needed respite from the holiday hustle and bustle outside the resort doors).
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort welcomes the public to experience a few free activities sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Those who do decide to spend a night (or more) can take advantage of even more complimentary events and activities too. And, while there are some other holiday activities that do include a charge for guests, they’re worth every penny. Hey, it’s Christmastime! Splurge a bit on the yourself and the ones you love.
Free for everyone:
Visit the most charming Gingerbread Village in town
Each holiday season, the lobby of the JW transforms into a mouth-watering wonderland of sugary confections. Visions of sugarplums, once only a dream in a pastry chef’s eye, come to life with their vibrant creativity. This year’s theme is Old World European Christmas.
Executive Pastry Chef Marcos Gonzalez and his pastry team spent nearly 1,600 hours designing, building, and decorating the gingerbread village. And they used:
800 pounds of flour
500 pounds of sugar
250 pounds of fondant
200 pounds of candies
150 pounds of dark chocolate
150 pounds of white chocolate
100 pounds of nuts
100 pounds of molasses
JW Holiday Illumination
Twinkling, colorful lights set to music in this holiday show will charm even the Scroogiest among us. You can’t help but sing along as you watch the lights dance to your favorite Christmas songs. Take a photo by the Christmas tree in the courtyard and find beautiful photo opportunities all over the resort. Illumination runs through Thursday, December 31, nightly, from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 pm.
Free for resort guests:
Santa’s Workshop
Write letters to Santa, enjoy arts and crafts, enter a holiday card contest.
S’mores
Every Friday and Saturday evening, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., resort guests create their own s’mores around a crackling fire at the East Fire Pit. Customize your treat with a twist: add bacon and/or sweet peppermint bark chocolate.
Storytime with the Elves
Santa’s helpers, the consummate storytellers, read holiday tales to kids of all ages on Friday evenings.
JW Marriott Polar Plunge Contest
For the brave (or crazy!), take the JW Marriott Polar Plunge. Prizes given for the wackiest plunge and for selfies shared with the hashtag: #JWMARRIOTTSANANTONIO. Check the Experience guide for days/times.
Other holiday-related activities:
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort offers many more holiday events and activities for guests that are extra special (and include an extra charge). Choose from:
- Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- Elf tuck-ins
- Gingerbread craft workshops
- Making of a Certified JW Marriott San Antonio Elf
- Kids’ Night Out
- Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
You’ll find all of the details about these special holiday offerings at JWHillCountryHolidays.com and their Holiday Experience Guide.
Happy Hill Country Holidays to one and all!
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