The historic Gunter Hotel in downtown San Antonio has reopened after a $57 million renovation. Now part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio, the restored Beaux-Arts hotel blends historic charm with modern touches, including new dining concepts, meeting spaces, and a recording studio.
Renovated Gunter Hotel Now Open
The iconic Gunter Hotel is now officially open for guests. The hotel underwent a $57 million transformation and is now a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio. The hotel continues the 116-year-old legacy.
The redesigned hotel comprises 311 guest rooms with 30 suites and 14 ADA suites, as well as new amenities like a state-of-the-art record studio, an album vinyl collection, and four original dining and bar concepts. Additional amenities include a rooftop pool, 24-hour fitness center, and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
At present, every guest room and a number of public spaces are operational, including the signature restaurant Jots and the Keystone Club.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome guests to the newly transformed Gunter Hotel and to share the next chapter of this historic icon,” said Owner and Managing Director at Axle Capital Jiwon Choi. “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.”
The Gunter Hotel Design and New Amenities
The Gunter Hotel’s reinvention by award-winning DLR Group combines its Beaux-Arts historic architecture with a new, modern twist. Timeless symmetry is combined with bold contemporary touch through dramatic lighting, striking artwork, and textured layers, producing interiors that incite curiosity and creativity throughout the hotel.
Guestrooms feature refreshed designs of bathrooms, mid-century-inspired hardware, and deep, moody colors. Every room honors blues icon Robert Johnson, who recorded at the hotel in 1936, his original first album. Guests can browse a vinyl library of more than 900 albums in the lobby, guided by an on-site Vinyl Ambassador.
Throughout the hotel, unique areas entice exploration, from the jewel-hued corridors of The Studio to the maroon-dusted stone and brass fittings of The Keystone Club. Later this year, a hidden staircase will lead to a recording studio and social lounge above Bar 414, featuring polished brass, jewel tones, and Art Deco accents that celebrate the hotel’s music heritage.
Addition of Food and Beverage Experiences
The Gunter Hotel now features four new dining and beverage spaces that honor its artistic heritage: Jots, The Keystone Club, Bar 414, and Paris Baguette. Jots and Keystone are currently open with limited hours – Jots offers breakfast every morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Keystone has guests from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. – with full menus scheduled in the coming months.
Jots, the flagship restaurant of the hotel, pays homage to supper clubs of the mid-century era and takes its name from Jonathan “Jot” Gunter, a rancher who contributed towards the financing of the hotel’s 1909 opening.
The menu includes classic American fare with a retro flair, such as Rosemary Prime Rib, Brown Butter Scallops, and Pan-Seared Alaskan Salmon, complemented by desserts like Grilled Citrus Pound Cake and Charred Peach Cheesecake. The Keystone Club, located in the lobby under art deco chandeliers, provides an elegant atmosphere for cocktails, beer, and wine.
Still on the horizon are Bar 414, which pays homage to the space where blues great Robert Johnson recorded, and Paris Baguette, which will introduce its pastries, bread, and specialty coffee to San Antonio for the first time.
The culinary program at the hotel is overseen by Director of Outlets Nicholle Purnell, Director of Culinary Development Sarah Myles, and Chef de Cuisine Hayley Unruh.
The Gunter Hotel blends historic charm with modern amenities. Guests can now book rooms, dine at newly opened restaurants, and enjoy state-of-the-art comforts throughout the property.
