JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

This expansive resort is celebrated for its impressive water park, featuring a lazy river, multiple slides, and various pools, making it a premier destination for families seeking an activity-filled getaway. Its beautiful grounds and a wide array of on-site activities ensure there is something for everyone, from couples looking for relaxation at the spa or on the golf course, to business travelers attending conferences. Guests frequently commend the generally exceptional staff and the overall cleanliness of the property. While dining options are plentiful, feedback on food quality and pricing is mixed. To maximize your experience, it is advisable to make dining and spa reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons, and be prepared for potential crowds at the water park by arriving early to secure preferred seating.

Facilities & Amenities
The resort boasts an extensive array of facilities designed for both recreation and convenience. The highlight is undoubtedly the River Bluff Water Experience, which includes a long lazy river, thrilling water slides, numerous pools (including an adult pool and a spa pool), and even a sandy beach area for younger guests. For sports enthusiasts, there are two world-class golf courses that host professional tournaments, and a well-equipped, spacious fitness center. Guests also appreciate the on-site Starbucks, an arcade room, and a game room with pool and shuffleboard. The property features ample meeting rooms and a large conference center, catering to business events. Fire pits are available for evening gatherings, often with s'mores, and ice machines and vending machines add to guest convenience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is varied. Many guests describe their rooms as spacious, luxurious, clean, and well-appointed, often highlighting comfortable beds and high-quality linens that ensure a restful sleep. Some rooms offer a balcony with pleasant views, and spacious bathrooms often include both a soaking tub and a separate shower. However, a notable number of reviews mention that rooms could benefit from a refresh, citing dated decor, stained furniture, holes in the carpet, mildew in bathrooms, and occasional issues with dust or even bugs. Some guests found the beds uncomfortable or the pillows inadequate, and the pull-out sofas were frequently described as uncomfortable. Noise from hallways, foot traffic, and even loud music from the water park at night was occasionally reported.

Dining & Food Quality
The resort offers a variety of dining options, with the breakfast buffet at Cibolo Moon frequently receiving high praise for its delicious and extensive variety, often described as wonderful and a hearty meal. However, some guests found the breakfast to be expensive or experienced issues with cold food. Other on-site restaurants include 18 Oaks, a steakhouse lauded for its superb and delicious offerings, though it is noted as pricey. High Velocity, a sports bar, is popular for its good food and lively atmosphere. The pizza restaurant received mixed reviews, with some finding it delicious and others describing it as underwhelming. Overall, while many guests enjoyed the food, a recurring theme is that it is often overpriced, and some found the quality to be mediocre or artificial tasting. Limited options for gluten-free diets were also mentioned.

Location & Accessibility
The resort's location is often described as somewhat isolated, situated away from the city and requiring a drive to reach downtown San Antonio or the Riverwalk. While this provides a serene setting, it means guests are largely reliant on the resort's amenities. A significant and frequently mentioned concern is parking. Both self-parking and valet parking are consistently reported as expensive, with self-parking often involving a long uphill walk and congested areas, sometimes compounded by automated system issues. Valet service, while generally efficient, can also experience long waits during busy periods. The property itself is very large, necessitating a lot of walking to navigate between different areas, though some guests noted the availability of golf carts for assistance.

Staff & Service
The staff at the resort generally receives high praise, with many guests describing them as exceptional, friendly, helpful, attentive, and professional. Numerous reviews highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a positive experience, from front desk interactions to poolside service. The check-in process receives mixed feedback; some found it smooth and quick, while others reported long lines, delays, and issues with room readiness or double bookings. Housekeeping service also varies, with some guests commending its attentiveness, while others experienced missed service or late cleaning. Valet service is often praised for its efficiency and friendliness, despite occasional long waits. However, some guests reported difficulties with issue resolution, particularly concerning refunds, cancellation policies, and credit card issues, with some finding management unresponsive to their concerns.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the resort's strict cancellation policies, which often involve a full charge for cancellations made within seven days of arrival. The resort operates as a cashless resort, a detail some guests found surprising. A notable point of discussion is the resort fees or destination fees, which are an additional charge on top of the room rate, covering various amenities. While some guests appreciate the included benefits, others feel these fees are overpriced or not adequately explained upfront. The resort maintains a pet-friendly policy, though finding suitable outdoor areas for pets can be challenging. Some guests noted that the lazy river was under construction during their stay, impacting amenity availability. Additionally, some reviews mentioned issues with paid Wi-Fi or a weak connection, and a policy against bringing outside food or drinks into the pool area.