This Texas Hotel Has More Than 3,700 Books—And Guests Can’t Get Enough Of It
Lit lovers should book it to this boutique hotel in San Antonio.
Confession: out of the stack of two dozen books I have waiting to be read, I only managed to polish off three last year. And two of those three, I should note, were finished while I was on vacation.
Whether you're like me, an infrequent reader with dreams of diving into more novels, or a book buff who devours dozens of titles per year, you'll be intrigued to learn that reading retreats are one of the biggest travel trends of 2026 .
A reading retreat is what you make it. It can be an entire trip designed around a location featured in a book or simply a peaceful destination that makes it easy to get lost in a book… or three.
And with my to-be-read stack not getting any shorter at home, I was instantly captivated by the idea of a reading-focused trip. As a result, I've been keeping my eyes open for potential places to give one a try. As it turns out, one of the best places in America for a reading retreat is hiding in a Texas hotel.
Credit: Hotel Emma
About Hotel Emma
Hotel Emma is located in the former Pearl Brewhouse, an iconic San Antonio structure built in 1894. Originally designed by Chicago architect August Maritzen in the grand, eclectic, and ornate Second Empire style , the building served as the heart of the Pearl Brewery Company complex (owned by the popular beer brand Pabst Brewing Company) for decades. Pabst called the complex home until 2001, when the company closed up shop in San Antonio. The Pearl District, as the area is now known, was just getting started, though.
"After the brewery era ended, the landmark building was thoughtfully transformed into Hotel Emma—a luxury hotel opened in 2015 that preserves the building's industrial heritage while celebrating the cultural richness of South Texas," explains Beth Smith, vice president of marketing and media at Silver Ventures, Hotel Emma's development firm . "While you no longer hear the rattle of machinery, the building's original soul lives on as a monument to the city's past and a contemporary display of its future."
Everything from the design to the food to the service exudes South Texas hospitality, Smith says, adding that "staying there feels like stepping into the city's story."
And there are a lot of stories to explore.
The lobby at Hotel Emma Credit: Hotel Emma
The Epic Library Hiding Inside Hotel Emma
What was once a fermentation room is now Hotel Emma's library , which is lined with 3,700 diverse books selected by novelist, cultural anthropologist, and Harvard fellow, Sherry Kafka Wagner . Ranging from iconic first editions and art history books to beloved novels and cookbooks, there's a little something for everyone here. Go ahead and leave that stack of tomes at home; when you're a guest at Hotel Emma, you have exclusive, unlimited access to any of these books.
"We acquired the 3,700-book collection months before opening, although the library's books were gathered over many years. Each volume was chosen for its individuality and charm," Smith says. "We like to say that Hotel Emma often serves as San Antonio's 'living room,' and the property can become quite lively. So to preserve a quiet retreat for visitors, the library is reserved exclusively for in‑house guests. They're welcome to read on-site or borrow books during the duration of their stay."
Unsure where to get started? You can flip through the vintage card system to learn more about the memoirs, play anthologies, children's literature, and regional reads, or hit the "easy" button for a suggestion from Wagner's list of all-time favorites.
Beyond books, the library is also home to other complimentary amenities for those with Hotel Emma keys:
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Coffee service between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. daily
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A free welcome drink for all 21+ guests
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Off-the-menu complimentary chef's tastings on Friday afternoons
Credit: Hotel Emma
Related: 12 Books To Read Before They Hit The Big Screen In 2026
More Reasons to Visit San Antonio
When your stomach gets as hungry as your brain, you don't have to go far to cure your cravings. Hotel Emma's restaurant Supper offers global-meets-Texas cuisine (dibs on the cardamom-braised pork jowl with beluga lentils and grilled bread!). Just steps away, more deliciousness awaits at the 20+ restaurants, The Culinary Institute of America, a weekly farmers markets, and night markets in the Pearl District along the banks of the San Antonio River.
The Southern Living team can't get enough of the enchiladas and margaritas at La Fonda on Main and are consistently blown away by the seafood at Southerleigh . No matter where the culinary part of your trip takes you, we highly recommend trying to snag a spot at 20-seat Nicosi for a phone-free, dessert-style omakase.
To plan the rest of your most spectacular San Antonio, don't miss our guide to the best museums, parks, and festivals . And to ensure you can keep the pages turning long after you head home, swing by one—or all—of these independent bookstores while you're in town:
Read the original article on Southern Living
