New Jewel for the Pearl

The Hotel Emma has been renovated from the original 121 year old brew house

San Antonian - New Jewel for the Pearl

by AMANDA CONLEY

Expect the Pearl Brewery Complex to get a little bigger and a lot busier. Hotel Emma, opening this Fall at the renovated Pearl Brewery Complex is more than just a hotel, it stands to be a new jewel in the Pearl’s crown. The new hotel is named after Emma Koehler who took over the Pearl Brewery through Prohibition after the death of her husband Otto Koehler; her strength inspired not just the name of the new boutique hotel, but also inspired builders to connect both stunning architecture and the history of the Pearl Brewery into the hotel’s design.

The Hotel Emma has been renovated from the original 121 year old brew house and still features many of its original features: spiral staircases made out of cast-iron, the brew house’s original vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls keep many of the historical elements of the structure true to its origins. Many of brew house’s antique fixtures and artifacts have also been included in the design and planning of the hotel. The mix of historic restored pieces and modern convenience will delight guests at the 146 room establishment.

The Hotel Emma will feature 3 dining options for guests: Supper, Larder and Sternewirth. Supper is led by award-winning chef John Brand, who was recently named Executive Chef for Omni Hotels, will focus on farm to table cuisine with a Texas twist and a nod to the chef’s Midwest upbringing. Larder will offer guests a selection of grocery goods, locally sourced products and act as an in house specialty market. Sternewirth will act as the hotel’s clubroom and bar with a menu of cocktail classics, wines beers and small plate options.

The hotel will also feature a unique culinary concierge program. The program is led by Hugh Daschbach and will guide guests in experiencing the city of San Antonio like locals and enjoy the new growing food scene. The culinary concierge also will partner with the Hotel Emma’s nearby neighbor the Culinary Institute of America to encourage hotel patrons to savor the meals at the local institution and explore the other Pearl hot spots like Southerleigh Brewery and the fantastic dining in the Pearl Brewery complex like Arcade, Cured and The Granary.

The Hotel Emma will delight guests both business and casual by offering patrons with an intimate and upscale hotel option away from the crowds of downtown San Antonio and the noise of the Riverwalk. Nestled perfectly within the new Pearl Brewery, the Hotel Emma is in an up and coming location at the center of the new culinary and cultural evolution of San Antonio. A distinct mix of old and new bring charm and style to Hotel Emma, bringing together all of the aspects needed for a fantastic vacation, long weekend or staycation: fantastic food on site and nearby, great location and plenty to do and see within walking distance. The Hotel Emma is set to open in October of this year and will provide guests with a taste of South Texas hospitality with big city innovation.