La Cantera Resort and Spa: A Review of the Luxurious Texas Hill Country Getaway
La Cantera Resort and Spa looks like someone took a Spanish colonial estate, set it on a Texas hillside, and let the Hill Country grow up around it. I’m talking cream stucco buildings with wrought iron balconies and terra cotta rooflines, terraced down a hillside with manicured gardens.
San Antonio is one of our favorite Texas destinations. Between The Riverwalk, the Alamo and the Spanish Missions, there’s so much history and culture in this city that you could spend a week and never run out of things to do.
Not to mention to the food scene in The Pearl District. I’d plan a trip to San Antonio just for the restaurants in The Pearl. In fact, we’ve actually done just that.
But, if you’re looking for a resort where you never have to leave the property, Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort and Spa delivers. This AAA Four Diamond resort has five pools including an adults-only option, four restaurants, five bars, a world-class golf course, and a kids club for the multi-generational crowd.
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Where is La Cantera Resort and Spa?
When planning our San Antonio trip my first thought was to book a room near The Riverwalk so we could be in the middle of the action. I’m so glad we didn’t.
La Cantera Resort is located about 20 minutes northwest of downtown San Antonio. If you’re willing to stay a little further out you can have easy access to all that San Antonio has to offer, plus you’ll get the peace and quiet ofTexas Hill Country.
Oh, and the views. You can’t beat the views. More on that later.
Need another reason to consider staying outside the city? Temperatures in the Hill Country can run as much as 10° cooler than downtown.
We stayed at La Cantera in early June and the Riverwalk area already felt like the surface of the sun. Because…Texas. But, the temperature at the resort was still really comfortable. We had breakfast on the patio and evening cocktails in the garden without sweating through our clothes.
Even though you feel like you are a million miles away from civilization at La Cantera, the city’s biggest attractions are only 20 minutes away. The resort also has a free shuttle to local shopping and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
First Impressions
Thanks to a lengthy flight delay we pulled into La Cantera well after midnight, exhausted. The valet was so helpful with getting our bags and directing us to reception through our haze.
Even in the dim lighting I could tell the lobby we passed through on the way to check in was impressive. But I was way too tired to appreciate any details. Thankfully, check-in was fast and the staff was gracious even at the late hour. We dropped our bags and went straight to bed.
The next morning we got our first real look at the hotel when we picked up coffee and pastries at Henrietta’s Market, just off the lobby.
The resort may have a distinct European vibe on the exterior, but the inside is pure Texas. The grand lobby design draws from the Big House at the historic King Ranch.
Even in this massive space, it feels cozy and almost residential. Nothing matches exactly but everything works together like the furniture and details have been gathered over time to tell a story.
From breakfast through cocktail hour the lobby was buzzing with guests working, catching up over coffee, or pulling drinks from the Sire Bar into one of the conversation areas.
At the far end of the lobby hangs a massive portrait of Assault, the only Texas-bred triple crown winner and pride of the King Ranch. As someone slightly obsessed with the Kentucky Derby, I was instantly drawn to his portrait…and his story.
The Inspiration Behind Sire Bar
Assault is the only Texas-born horse to win the Triple Crown. Nicknamed the Club-Footed Comet, he walked with a limp after stepping on a surveyor’s stake as a colt. But, still went on to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes in 1946.
The portrait of Assault isn’t the only amazing piece of art at La Cantera. I recommend taking some time to walk the property and look at the art. Much of it is done by local artists and all of it celebrates the region in some way. I found it fascinating.
These are actual books with a hand drawn deer.
This awesome installation is in the golf club and I loved the humor in this design. The green wooden panel wall is strung with vintage trophies.
These seven massive bells represent the seven San Antonio missions.
Resort Gardens and Grounds
The grounds at La Cantera cover 550 acres and there is a lot to discover. We sat outside every evening and never ran out of new places for a cocktail while watching the sunset.
A couple of nights we were down in the lower courtyard. One night we found a spot right on the edge of the property where the land seems to drops off and the Hill Country view is out of this world.
Fire pits are scattered through the central courtyard for evenings when the temperature drops enough to actually use one. We saw several families with children roasting s’mores.
La Cantera has special event venues for weddings and parties. This limestone arch is stunning with windows to the beautiful views.
La Cantera Resort Amenities & Activities
You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want while staying at the resort. We were looking to relax, so most of our time was spent lounging by the pools.
They also have a full menu of kids activities including arts & crafts, an arcade, kids club, and hosted nature programs. I called my parents from the resort to tell them to look at La Cantera for our next multi-generational family trip.
Resort Activities Guide
Be sure to pick up a resort guide at check in. Sunset movies at the pool, Sunday Champagne brunch, a pop up barre class, and wellness lectures were just a few of the events that were happening during our stay.
Pools
La Cantera has five pools, two of which are family friendly – the huge Vista Resort Pool and the dedicated kids pool that has 2 slides and a splashpad.
We don’t often slow down enough to take advantage of all a resort’s amenities. I usually pack our free time seeing the sites of the city. We are both Type A personalities, so kicking back and relaxing isn’t really in our nature.
But, our trip to San Antonio was in the middle of Jason’s conference season, so we had been in a different city every few days for a month. We needed some decompress time.
So, we spent most our time at the adults only Topaz infinity pool. Its quiet and the views of the Hill Country are stunning.
I ordered a Hibiscus Ginger Margarita and didn’t feel the least bit guilty that 2 days in, I still didn’t have a single picture of the Alamo.
Regardless of which pool you choose, there are plenty of chairs and cabanas with room to spread out. Cabanas are available by reservation at each pool and come equipped with TV, refrigerator, and private safe.
Golf
If golf is your thing, La Cantera has you covered. The Resort Course was designed by Jay Morrish and PGA Tour pro Tom Weiskopf and plays through natural Hill Country terrain with elevation changes, water features, and strategic bunkers.
Practice facilities include a driving range, putting greens, and chipping areas, and PGA-certified instructors are available for private lessons if you want them.
Fitness & Wellness
La Cantera takes the wellness piece seriously. There’s a fitness center if you need it, and a full lineup of classes including yoga and stretching. If you want something a little more memorable, they even have goat yoga.
Sport courts are available to reserve for tennis, pickleball, and basketball.
Loma de Vida Spa
I’ll be honest, I’m not a spa girl. But I know a lot of you are, and Loma de Vida is a really nice one. At 25,000 square feet it’s one of the larger resort spas in Texas, with a full menu of individual and couples treatments.
One thing to keep in mind: the spa draws a lot of local bachelorette parties and bridal groups, especially on weekends. Book your treatments well in advance.
I recommend checking the Loma de Vida Spa website to make appointments before you go.
La Cantera Room Guide
The rooms are elegantly modern, accented with Texas charm and earthy colors that reflect the Hill Country. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including flat-screen TV, docking station, Keurig coffee maker, mini fridge, and in-room safe.
Several rooms have private balconies or patios. We had a gorgeous view overlooking the central courtyard and pools with the Hill Country landscape beyond.
SEVEN – The Private Adults Only Floor
La Cantera offers a luxurious adults only oasis called SEVEN, that is located (you guessed it) on the seventh floor. This club floor has a private check in, daily happy hour, complimentary valet parking, and daily access to the Loma de Vida Spa. Rooms on SEVEN feature upgraded glass enclosed showers and Nespresso machines.
The Villas at La Cantera
The Villas at La Cantera offer couples or families a private retreat with apartments up to 1600 square feet in size! A short walk from the main resort, the Villas feel like their own little sanctuary. Guests can enjoy the private Villas pool and courtyard as well as private check in and complimentary valet.
Dining + Drinks
This is one of those resorts where you could eat every meal on property and not feel like you’re missing out.
Sire Bar
Just off the lobby – behind the portrait of Assault, the only Texas bred Triple Crown winner (and pride of the King Ranch) is the aptly named Sire Bar, which reeks of rustic sophistication. Dark wood paneling, glass liquor cabinet, barrel-aged cocktail program. It specializes in dark spirits so if you like bourbon, whiskey, or a well-made Old Fashioned, go here first.
Bocado
Also in the lobby is Bocado which specializes is charcuterie boards and decadent sweets. You can order from here while enjoying your cocktails in Sire Bar. Or, pick up a board and head outside to watch the sunset.
Henrietta’s
Henrietta’s Market has coffee, wine, sweets, pastries, and ice cream. We came for coffee and pastries our first morning and everything was delicious. We came through several more times for their fresh baked goods like the giant gingersnap cookie. Oh my word, it was delicious!
SweetFire Kitchen
SweetFire Kitchen is just off the lobby and features rustic homestyle cuisine cooked with an open kitchen. You could eat at SweetFire for most or all of your meals at La Cantera as the restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. We ate here several times and enjoyed every meal.
We dined inside for dinner one night, but our favorite spot was on the patio overlooking the Plaza San Saba.
On some weekends, a full breakfast buffet features made to order omelets, a pastry bar, fresh local meats, waffles, and fruit for days. I’m not much of a breakfast eater, so while Jason hit the buffet, I ordered the avocado toast from the a la carte brunch menu.
It was ridiculous. I went back two days later while Jason was catching up on some work just to have it again. It. Was. That. Good.
Primero Cantina
Any self-respecting San Antonio resort will have a good Tex Mex restaurant and La Cantera delivers with Primero Cantina. We had dinner here twice. The street tacos and fajitas were fantastic.
The restaurant is right by the pool, so you can eat inside or at your lounge chair. Or, you can do what we did and stop by every day for happy hour and sip your margarita by the pool.
Grill 254
Grill 254 is an elevated sports bar in the golf clubhouse. Like the rest of La Cantera, the vibe is casual but sophisticated at the same time. We sat by the corner window and had a great view of the driving range. Beautiful views and great food!
Signature
We did not have the chance to try Signature, the fine dining option. But, the menu looks fantastic and the reviews are stellar, so it is defnitely on the list for next time.
Vista Grill
The Vista Grill is located at the Resort Pool and offers your basic lunch fare, cocktails, as well as a kids menu.
Topaz
Topaz is at the adults only pool and serves up yummy cocktails and light bites, as well as burgers and even a lobster roll.
Things to Do Near La Cantera Resort
Experience San Antonio’s History – San Antonio’s rich history at The Alamo and Riverwalk is just a 10 minute drive. Or, you can follow the Mission Trail which is also easily accessible from the resort.
➡ Learn the fascinating history of the San Antonio Missions with this half day tour. ⬅
Shopping – Two huge shopping areas sit at the resort’s entrance and La Cantera provides complimentary shuttles to each. The RIM has almost 100 shopping and entertainment options including Top Golf. For those looking for more upscale shopping, The Shops at La Cantera has names like Anthropologie, Johnny Was, Louis Vuitton, and Nordstrom.
Theme Parks – If you are traveling with kids (or just love roller coasters like me), the shuttle also runs to and from Six Flags Fiesta Texas just across the street. Sea World is about 20 minutes away.
➡ Get your tickets to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and your Sea World Skip The Line Tickets ⬅
Wine Country – Our personal favorite adventure was a day trip to Fredericksburg and the wineries of Texas Hill Country. There are 50 (yes, that is 5-0) wineries in and around this adorable German town. The shops and restaurants are adorable in town. We only had one day, but could have easily spent a long weekend here
Book a Fredericksburg Wine Tour
San Antonio: Hill Country Wine Tour & Fredericksburg Visit Small group of 10, three wineries plus two hours of free time in Fredericksburg, departing from downtown San Antonio.
Fredericksburg: Luxury Hill Country Winery and Brewery Tour A four-hour private tour in a high-roof Mercedes Sprinter van that covers wine, craft beer, and spirits. A good option if your group wants more than just wine.
From San Antonio: Fredericksburg Wineries Day Trip with Tastings The most popular San Antonio departure, visiting two wineries with free time in Fredericksburg — consistently top-reviewed with guides named Matt and Brandy getting repeat mentions.
Honest Take On La Cantera Resort & Spa
We went as a couple looking to decompress and it was exactly what we needed. But honestly, it would work just as well for a family trip or a multi-generational getaway.
The kids areas and adult spaces are kept separate enough that we never felt like we were sharing our vacation with someone else’s children. Add in the kids club and the seasonal activities, and every generation in the group has something to do.
If you’re trying to find one place that works for the whole family, grandparents, parents, and kids included, this is your place. We’d go back.
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