SAN ANTONIO—The historic Gunter Hotel in downtown San Antonio has officially reopened following a $57 million renovation, which blends modern luxury with its storied past. Now part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio, the 116-year-old hotel debuts new culinary concepts, upgraded guest amenities, and a renewed focus on its musical heritage.
Originally opened in 1909, the Gunter returns with 311 guest rooms, including 30 suites and 14 ADA-accessible rooms. It also features a rooftop pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
The renovation also introduces a unique set of music-inspired amenities, including an in-house recording studio, a vinyl listening library with more than 900 albums, and in-room record players. A Vinyl Ambassador is available in the lobby to offer album recommendations to guests.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome guests to the newly transformed Gunter Hotel and to share the next chapter of this historic icon,” says Jiwon Choi, owner and managing director at Axle Capital. “Our team has worked tirelessly to blend the hotel’s rich legacy with the best in modern luxury and hospitality, so we are confident that The Gunter will offer an unforgettable stay for both locals and travelers from around the world. It’s an honor to lead such a talented team, and we look forward to serving our guests with the highest standards of excellence.”
Designed by the DLR Group, the reimagined interiors preserve the Beaux-Arts architecture of the original building while incorporating bold, contemporary elements, such as dramatic lighting, moody color palettes, and unexpected artwork.
Custom design elements of the hotel give a nod to its musical roots—most notably, the legendary 1936 recording session by blues artist Robert Johnson in Room 414. The speakeasy Bar 414 will be hidden behind a gallery wall and styled with vintage décor and a curated drink menu.
The Gunter also launched four new food and beverage concepts, including Jots, a classic American restaurant serving breakfast daily, named after the hotel’s financier, Jonathan “Jot” Gunter, and The Keystone Club, a cocktail lounge inspired by the hotel’s Art Deco features, open daily in the lobby from 3 to 10 p.m. Bar 414 is inspired by Johnson’s historic recordings. Paris Baguette, the international café and bakery chain, will open its first San Antonio location onsite later this year. The hotel’s culinary team is led by director of culinary development Sarah Myles, chef de cuisine Hayley Unruh, and director of outlets Nicholle Purnell.
