The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is a Hill Country inspired resort is located in Northeast San Antonio, about 15 miles from the San Antonio International Airport, 30 minute drive to the riverwalk, or if you’re feeling fancy, an hour from the Fredericksburg wine country
- Self-parking is complimentary
- Valet is available for $42/night
- Wifi is complimentary
- No pets are allowed at this resort
- Check-in: 4 pm, Check-out: 11 am
Want to experience the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country resort without the overnight price? Check out day pass pricing with ResortPass!
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Pools and Lazy Rivers
“River Bluff Water Experience” is the resident water park at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. It offers multiple pools, a lazy river, 4 slides, and a sandy beach area. The pools are open from 8 am-10 pm. They are heated to the high 70s/low 80s but the lazy river and slides are closed if the outside temp drops below 55 degrees. Each room includes 4 wristbands to the waterpark.
1. Pools
- Main Activity Pool – This family-friendly pool is centrally located and surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas. It is not connected to the lazy river directly.
- Sandy Beach Pool – This family-friendly pool has a sandy beach, graded entrance. Bring your own beach toys or purchase some in the pool area of the resort. This pool does not connect directly to the lazy river, which helps keep the other pool areas less sandy. There are lounge chairs and cabanas available around the pool to optimize your beach pool experience. There is also a family-friendly hot tub in this area.
- Kids Pool – A small pool with a graded entrance. There are sprinkler/spray activities and a small toddler slide in the pool that’s just a couple of feet high. There are also 2 kids slides, one 3 feet and one 6 feet long, so your littlest ones don’t feel left out when older siblings enjoy the big slides. There are some loungers around the pool with small umbrellas for shade but there is a lot of direct sun so be sure to pack sunglasses, hats, and remember to apply… and reapply sunscreen as needed!
- Adult Pool and Hot Tub – The adult pool and hot tub have an infinity edge overlooking a picturesque hill country setting. It is separate but close to the kids pool. The infinity edge provides a waterfall sound so you’re not just hearing kids at play. This pool does not connect directly to the lazy river.
- Lantana Spa Pool – Not part of the River Bluff Water Experience but worth mentioning with the other pools. The spa offers a private “lagoon-like” pool on the opposite side of the resort from the water park.
2. Lazy River
The lazy river at the JW San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is the longest of our featured resorts at 1,100 feet. It is heated to a temperature of 75-85 degrees (yay!) but closed if the outside temp dips below 55 (boo!). There is not a lot of natural shade on the river but it is lined with beautiful regional flora to give it a relaxing hill country vibe. There are some sprinklers and fountains but less so than the other resorts – a plus for me! Single and double tubes are available but there are no kid tubes. *Pro Tip – bring your own kids tube/float from home!
3. Beach Area
The sandy beach area is connected to a separate pool that is family friendly and a little more secluded than the main activity pool. Beach toys are available for purchase at the resort or you can bring your own from home.
4. Slides
This resort wins the award for best slides! There are 2 body slides and 3 tube slides, including one that dumps you into the lazy river! There are beautiful hill country views from the top of all of them!
Check out this video of my niece doing one of the tube slides during our recent family reunion.
5. Lounge Areas
The lounge areas are gathered around each of the pools and along the lazy river. There are more sunny areas than shady ones and the ground can get hot! Spots around the kids pool and in the shade go fast so you’ll want to grab these early if that’s what you’re going for.
There are private cabanas available for rent around the main activity and sandy beach pools. The main activity pool cabanas are right in the center of the resort pool action and the sandy beach pool cabanas are more secluded and on the edge of the pool area. THey are on the opposite side of the pool from the sandy beach.
Cabanas include: a shaded area with sectional sofa and chaise lounge chairs, refrigerator, safe for valuables, flat screen tv and towel service. Cabanas around the main activity pool also include in-pool lounge chairs, which can be seen in the picture main activity pool picture above.
6. Food/Drink
Poolside waiters provide service to Rivertop Poolside Grill from the comfort of your lounger.
Child Care
1. Child Care
The JW Marriott San Antonio offers a Kid’s Night Out program that you can reserve ahead of your stay.
- Ages 4-12 years old
- 6 pm – 10 pm
- $80/child
- Games, Crafts, Dinner, and a Keepsake
The resort can also recommend local babysitting agencies through the concierge that you would contact directly to arrange care for your children.
2. Shopping
They do not stock baby supplies in the gift shop. Your best bet is to pack baby supplies from home or go to Target about 4 miles away to stock up on supplies if you don’t want to waste precious luggage space (despite your best Konmari-ing) on swim diapers.
Golf
TPC San Antonio
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa features two 18-hole championship golf courses collectively called TPC San Antonio. TPC San Antonio sprawls over 2,800 acres in the rolling hills of the San Antonio Hill Country. TPC was designed by some guys you may have heard of: Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia, and Pete Dye. Amenities include a clubhouse, golf shop, and instructors. The AT&T Oaks Course hosts the Valero Texas Open, an official PGA event, annually in April.
Tired of lugging around your golf bag at the airport or not having room in your car? Ship your golf clubs ahead and they’ll be waiting at your resort!
Open: 6 am-8:30 pm
There is a daily golf “happy hour” 4:00 pm to close when you can golf for $59 Monday through Thursday and $79 Friday through Sunday with clubs included.
Things to Do
The weekly schedule of events is provided in a guide upon check-in or is available on the website. Activities vary weekly and there are more activities during peak times like spring break or summertime. Things you may see on the weekly schedule include:
1. Fitness Classes (18 and up)- Yoga, Zumba, and even Piloxing Barre (yes, you read that right, moms… a mashup of pilates, boxing, and barre – sign me up!)
2. Family Games/Sports
3. Arts/Crafts – Make survival bracelets, slime, a birdhouse, or sand art creations (expect a small additional fee $5-12)
4. Evening S’mores
5. Stargazing
6. Rubber Duck Race – Sunday mornings.
- This is one of our childrens’ favorites! Decorate a numbered duck and hold onto the corresponding popsicle stick then grab a spot along the fence to cheer your family’s duck to victory! Prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and last place.
- I’d recommend doing a large design that can easily be spotted from the viewing area… all those little ducks can look the same from a distance!
7. River Bluff Water Experience
- Pools, lazy river, water slides, beach. Need we go on? Okay, read all about it here.
8. Ping Pong Tables & Billiards
9. Arcade Game Room
10. Hiking/ Walking Trails
11. A large grassy lawn with soccer balls and lawn games
- We like to take our toddler here to get some wiggles out in an (almost entirely) enclosed space covered in field turf
Restaurants
1. Cibolo Moon
Tex-Mex inspired, Casual, Open breakfast (6:30 – 11am), lunch (11am – 2pm), and dinner (5 – 10pm).
This is the most family friendly of the resort’s restaurants. Portions are large and foods is delicious! They have a BBQ buffet that you conveniently walk past on the way to your table or you can order from the menu. The Chicken Fried Steak literally hangs off the plate and the Filet Mignon is quite possibly the best steak I’ve ever had!
2. Crooked Branch
Cocktail Bar also offering small plates/snacks. Casual atmosphere, open breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A great place to grab a drink while waiting for your table at Cibolo Moon. Enjoy live music in the evening or grab a rocking chair by the fireplace on the large outdoor patio. There is a big lawn where kids can run around as well. You receive 2 vouchers for free house drinks provided when you check in, pop them in your wallet so you don’t forget them!
3. 18 Oaks
Steakhouse, Seafood, Brunch, Smart Casual, Open Breakfast (Sat 7- 11am), Lunch (11am-2pm), Happy Hour (2-6pm), and DInner (Mon-Sat 5-10pm, Sun 5-9pm)
Delicious steaks and tasty sides ordered à la carte. Dress is smart casual. Open breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located on the opposite side of the resort from the pool and other restaurants, so check the map!
4. High Velocity
Sports Bar, Casual, Open for lunch and dinner
Sports bar with ample TVs to catch the game and outdoor patio seating available too. With two dozen draft beers to choose from and flights available as well it’s gonna be your best bet for beer at the resort. Expect standard sports bar fare with a creative spin such as the pickle fried chicken sandwich…. yes, please!
5. Replenish Spa Bistro
Spa Restaurant, atmosphere is relaxed casual, open for lunch only.
Inside the spa so bringing little kids is not cool. Freshly grown garden-to-table organic options and smoothies available or opt to be fancy and order wine with your relaxation.
6. Rivertop Grill
Poolside Grill, Dress is poolside casual, Open for lunch, dinner and (our favorite) afternoon snacks.
You can order from a poolside waiter or place your order at the bar then take a few trips around the lazy river while you wait!
7. Starbucks
Coffeehouse (duh), Open for breakfast.
Lines can get very long in the morning. I’ve usually had about a 15-20 minute wait at about 8 am.
Accommodations
1. Guest Rooms
Standard rooms at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort are 450 square feet with either 1 king or 2 queen beds. They are available as standard, juliette balcony (enough space to walk outside but no sitting), a walkout balcony (enough room for chairs), or pool views.
2. Suites
One and two-bedroom suites are available. One-bedroom suites have a king bedroom and two-bedroom suites have both a king bedroom and a double room with 2 queen beds and 2 bathrooms.
Bathrooms have a separate shower and tub.
3. Amenities
Amenities include standard offerings as well as a mini fridge, hair dryer, iron with ironing board, coffee maker, and bottled water. Wifi is complimentary and high-speed internet access is included with the resort fee.
Cribs are available upon request. Rollaway beds are $25/night. Limit 1 crib or rollaway per room or suite.
4. Pets
There are no pets allowed at this property.
5. Resort Fee
The resort fee of $56/night includes 2 welcome drinks, access to the spa fitness center, s’mores, planned resort activities, high-speed internet and access to River Bluff Water Experience.
Spa
Lantana Spa
Hours: Mon-Thurs 7 am – 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am – 8 pm, Sun 7 am- 6 pm
Services include: massage (including couples and prenatal), facials, body treatments (think: wraps, scrubs), nail services, waxing, and a relaxing steam room in name a few. You can book your services online ahead of time.
A complimentary lagoon-like pool is also available for guests to relax in a serene environment.
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