Press & News

We’re honored and humbled to be recognized once again by the 2026 MICHELIN Guide. Hotel Emma at Pearl remains the only MICHELIN Two Key hotel in San Antonio, and is one of just three properties in the state of Texas to earn this prestigious designation. It’s an honor made possible by the extraordinary care and dedication of the entire Emma team.

Hotel Emma at Pearl is thrilled to be honored as one of the top-reviewed Tripadvisor destinations for the 10th consecutive year! In this year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best recognitions, we’re been ranked as the #23 Top Hotel in the United States (one of just two properties in Texas), placing us once again among the top 1% of Tripadvisor listings.

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Hotel Emma at Pearl was named #5 on the online fashion and lifestyle destination’s list of the Best Art Hotels in the country. An inspiring cultural destination in the heart of San Antonio, Emma offers its guests and visitors the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant world of historic industrial architecture, collected fine art, and meticulously crafted works by our local community of artisan Makers.

It’s an immense honor to be featured once again in Food & Wine’s annual Global Tastemakers Awards. This year, Hotel Emma at Pearl has been recognized as the #8 Top US Hotel for Food and Drink, chosen by a panel of more than 400 international chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers, and wine professionals. Our historic property is hailed for its signature “spirit of convivial Southern hospitality,” reflected in each of our distinctive outlets, from the seasonal chef-driven cuisine at Supper to craft cocktails at Sternewirth, to the house-made pastries and freshly brewed coffee at Larder.

Hotel Emma at Pearl is excited to be featured by The Independent as one of the top book retreats in the U.S., inspired by the growing trend of literary travel. The article showcases Emma’s private Library, thoughtfully curated by Sherry Kafka Wagner, as well as the daily coffee service and calendar of exclusive events that offer guests an immersive retreat in the heart of Pearl.

We’re incredibly proud to share that Hotel Emma at Pearl has been honored across three categories in this year’s U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels Rankings: #1 in Best Hotels in San Antonio, #2 in Best Hotels in Texas, and #31 in Best Hotels in the USA. Hotel Emma has also been awarded with a celebrated Gold Badge, recognizing our riverfront destination among the top 20% of ranked luxury hotels and resorts.

Hotel Emma at Pearl is featured by Southern Living as “The Ultimate Hotel for Book Lovers,” spotlighting our just-for-guests Library as a destination-worthy retreat for avid readers. The article highlights the Library’s 3,700+ curated titles housed within the original 1894 Brewhouse, along with the property’s relaxed and welcoming hospitality that make Emma an ideal setting for an inspired literary getaway.

We’re honored for Hotel Emma at Pearl to be recognized by the award-winning lifestyle magazine as one of the top 13 honeymoon destinations in the country. The feature celebrates Hotel Emma and the Pearl neighborhood for their romantic sense of place, AAA Five-Diamond and MICHELIN Two-Key hospitality, and vibrant culinary experiences worthy of San Antonio’s distinction as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

Hotel Emma at Pearl is proud to once again earn the AAA Five Diamond designation for 2025, placing us among just 131 Five Diamond hotels in the world and one of only two in the state of Texas. We are also honored to receive AAA’s “Inspected Clean” distinction, awarded to Emma and six other Five Diamond properties that meet enhanced cleanliness standards verified through advanced surface testing. Together, these recognitions reflect our ongoing commitment to exceptional hospitality, comfort, and care.