Want to honeymoon where celebs go to get away? Take a peak at this star-studded hideaway.
By: Naomi Jean-LouisIt was a union made in country music heaven when popular singers Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton wed in May 2011 at a ranch near pretty San Antonio in Texas Hill Country. The picturesque region features charming vineyards, sprawling ranches, flowering hills and is filled with heaps of gentile southern hospitality — making it a romantic setting for any wedding.
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott, San Antonio Resort & Spa
Set on 600 rolling acres, the JW Marriott, San Antonio Resort & Spa encompasses all of the charms and comforts of the region while offering an array of honeymoon-perfect luxury touches. The enormous resort features more than 1,000 guest accommodations stretched across a series of lowslung, sand-colored buildings that overlook flowering grounds, a variety of streams and the pretty Cibolo Canyons. Each is decorated in a mix of country and contemporary style with carved-wood furnishings, rich leather pieces and vibrant colors. Most rooms feature separate sitting areas, hewn stonework and balconies.
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott, San Antonio Resort & Spa
While simply enjoying the stunning natural surroundings is a popular activity, the enormous hotel has much more to offer the active couple. There are two tennis courts, multiple pools, a lazy river and a super-tall water slide, as well as an adjacent Greg Norman and Pete Dye-designed golf complex, in addition to seven restaurants. Latana Spa, a 30-room haven of pampering, offers a unique lavender farm-to-table experience. The half-day excursion includes a tour of a local farm, a lavender-infused spa meal and a relaxing treatment featuring the fragrant flower. Book a massage in one of the two couples’ suites and enjoy unwinding fireside. There are also outdoor areas available.
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott, San Antonio Resort & Spa
At the hotel’s restaurants you can also savor the expansive views, as well as the local cuisine. The main eatery, Cibolo Moon, offers such dishes as smoked green chile queso and smoked baby-back ribs served alongside wine on tap. The restaurant’s casks hold up to 26 varieties. That’s something to toast, Texas-style (room rates start at $349 a night; jwsanantonio.com).
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott, San Antonio Resort & Spa